US jets dropped bombs on Great Barrier Reef

[Rum]

Pretty dismissive from the Merican lobby there. The reality may be minor damage but the of the Great Barrier Reef symbolises and is seen by many as a barometer of how little we seem to care for the environment we all inhabit and how willing we are to destroy it. The fact that it was Mericans who did it only adds to the bad press element.

The alternative seems to be crashing a couple of Harriers into the reef. I presume that the loss of lives, the machines, and pollutants from oil and fuel would NOT be preferable to a couple of inert bombs?

I mean, symbols can kiss my ass, lets be practical about practical issues and let the press be hysterical on its own time.

You really should read a thread properly before you get all crabby about a single post.

[Daedalus]

Pretty dismissive from the Merican lobby there. The reality may be minor damage but the of the Great Barrier Reef symbolises and is seen by many as a barometer of how little we seem to care for the environment we all inhabit and how willing we are to destroy it. The fact that it was Mericans who did it only adds to the bad press element.

The alternative seems to be crashing a couple of Harriers into the reef. I presume that the loss of lives, the machines, and pollutants from oil and fuel would NOT be preferable to a couple of inert bombs?

I mean, symbols can kiss my ass, lets be practical about practical issues and let the press be hysterical on its own time.

You really should read a thread properly before you get all crabby about a single post.

I did, and at no point do you change your stance on the symbolic value and perceived damage.

[Rum]

OK but I was not Merica bashing for its own sake. And for goodness sakes - things both political and military are done for symbolic reasons all the time.

[Daedalus]

OK but I was not Merica bashing for its own sake. And for goodness sakes - things both political and military are done for symbolic reasons all the time.

Sure, but this wasn't a symbolic act, it was a desperate one.

[Clinton Huxley]

As it was the Americans, they were probably aiming for Iceland.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

As it was the Americans, they were probably aiming for Iceland.

At least we didn't need seeing-eye bombers in WWII.

[Clinton Huxley]

Can't take any chances with Coral Qaeda.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Can't take any chances with Coral Qaeda.

They're the ones that fouled the range?

[Clinton Huxley]

I'm just going to rest on my laurels after "Coral Qaeda". I've nothing to prove any more.

[mistermack]

I don't get it. A couple of inert bombs are neither here nor.....
Well, they are there, but there is out in the middle of nowhere. What's the big deal?

If they contained explosives, then I guess that there would be a tiny tiny risk to the sharks, or a billion to one risk to humans.
But even then, only ozzies.

In the context of previous US actions, this has to be pretty harmless.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I don't get it. A couple of inert bombs are neither here nor.....
Well, they are there, but there is out in the middle of nowhere. What's the big deal?

If they contained explosives, then I guess that there would be a tiny tiny risk to the sharks, or a billion to one risk to humans.
But even then, only ozzies.

In the context of previous US actions, this has to be pretty harmless.

Many people will read the headline only, and tell their friends that the US is now, and again, engaging in wanton eco-terrorism and this is just another example.

[Clinton Huxley]

Hmmm...imagine if the Royal Australian Airforce jettisoned some ordnance on Mount Rushmore. They might, at least, be accused of being a trifle insensitive.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Hmmm...imagine if the Royal Australian Airforce jettisoned some ordnance on Mount Rushmore. They might, at least, be accused of being a trifle insensitive.

If the pilots' lives were in danger, fuck a bunch of rocks. And to be equivalent you'd have to say they dropped their shit in the parking lot.

[Clinton Huxley]

Basically, this scenario is EXACTLY the same as that scene in Team America where the yanks destroy the Louvre.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Basically, this scenario is EXACTLY the same as that scene in Team America where the yanks destroy the Louvre.

In some alternate universe, yes.