Can I ask you about where you live?

[tdlfoto]

Years ago I had a consultant out here from the States doing some work for me. He had been to Australia several times and this one time I was driving him through the CBD of Brisbane, not sure what time of the year it was, but our army were out collecting donations for Legacy week, (support the diggers' families who never returned from battle).

Anyway our military guys are standing on each street corner in their uniforms and a bucket asking for donations for Legacy. Its a little unusual to see this many military on the streets in Australia so this consultant asked what they were all doing? I said that the government had cut funding to the military and they had to rely on public donations to run the military. He was appalled that a government would cut funding to the country's military, especially being an ally of the USA. I said yeah its tough times for those guys, going out getting shot at and not really sure if they will get paid due to the spending cuts. For the next week in Australia he wanted to discuss this issue with all of my clients more than work, they didn't know what was going on. I had a great laugh adding wood to the fire during the week. I eventually told him what they were really doing and surprisingly he is still a good friend.

Over here our kids pander for money for schools, and hospitals conduct fund raising almost continuously. But we have money for fancy killing democracy spreading machines. Makes perfect sense.

[canadianbeaver]

Thanks for all the replies... So interesting what goes on around the globe! And Kieth- no comment? That must be a first! I was thinking about you the whole time!

[El Presidente]

Oh my......

Ken should be posting any moment

[Fuzz AI]

Years ago I had a consultant out here from the States doing some work for me. He had been to Australia several times and this one time I was driving him through the CBD of Brisbane, not sure what time of the year it was, but our army were out collecting donations for Legacy week, (support the diggers' families who never returned from battle).

Anyway our military guys are standing on each street corner in their uniforms and a bucket asking for donations for Legacy. Its a little unusual to see this many military on the streets in Australia so this consultant asked what they were all doing? I said that the government had cut funding to the military and they had to rely on public donations to run the military. He was appalled that a government would cut funding to the country's military, especially being an ally of the USA. I said yeah its tough times for those guys, going out getting shot at and not really sure if they will get paid due to the spending cuts. For the next week in Australia he wanted to discuss this issue with all of my clients more than work, they didn't know what was going on. I had a great laugh adding wood to the fire during the week. I eventually told him what they were really doing and surprisingly he is still a good friend.

With the new budget cuts, our military may soon be reduced to doing exactly that!! Though, maybe they could start putting sponsorship logos on their uniforms, kinda like Nascar...

[asmith]

And Kieth- no comment? That must be a first! I was thinking about you the whole time!

Yeah where is Kieth I'm sure he has a story or two

[Fuzz AI]

Yeah where is Kieth I'm sure he has a story or two

I'm guessing recovering after being spritzed?

[Nino]

Our village has 8000 people and one police station - that closes at night.

Any police call then has to be answered by a squad from a city 15 kms away.

Quite boring around here, the only uniforms you see are the firefighters having fun..

Two weeks ago a guy shot his mother though ... made the headlines and gave some gossip to the pubs.

All the former US bases that dotted the region closed and have been re-converted into industrial areas.

[riazp]

I live in a city where greedy students protest about tuition going up even though they pay 2k less a year than anywhere else in canada...and the US Embassy has issued a travel warning against montreal due to the violence...

Other than that I love my city and the women are absolutly gorgeous

[IcedCanuck]

I live in a city where greedy students protest about tuition going up even though they pay 2k less a year than anywhere else in canada...and the US Embassy has issued a travel warning against montreal due to the violence...

Other than that I love my city and the women are absolutly gorgeous

Montreal is one of my favourite cities, especially the historic parts. I have family and friends in Montreal but it does seem as though they have breed an entire generation of spoiled brats who feel they are entitled to free handouts all their life and that the government should be responsible for them from cradle to grave. They will protest anything and everything. As a Canadian I am embarrassed by how the students have been conducting themselves. Quebec's provincial government should grow a set and lay down the law! Apologies for high jacking the thread ... rant over.

[cottierm]

That's, oh, so true! Thanks for posting that!

Best,

Michel

[isa]

The society or apartment in which i live was made for the navy & airforce by the government So they are all over the place - but no, they dont stroll around flaunting their guns

[riazp]

Phil, I agree with everything you just said. The way the kids are acting here makes me want to find a job and move to ontario. Quebec is going down the toilet...But the women are still awesome

[nikosdoc]

Here in Athens,as mentioned before,you will see only antiriot policeman in the centre of town,despite the bad circumstances.

You'll prety much walk everywhere or use the metro without noticing something more than the odd police bike or car every now and then.

[IcedCanuck]

Phil, I agree with everything you just said. The way the kids are acting here makes me want to find a job and move to ontario. Quebec is going down the toilet...But the women are still awesome

The most beautiful in the entire country!

[CanuckSARTech]

Thanks for all the replies... So interesting what goes on around the globe! And Kieth- no comment? That must be a first! I was thinking about you the whole time!

I know. Exactly why I stayed out of this one....

[Habanos2000]

No military presence in Chicago. Actually I think it might be unconstitutional for the military to be deployed in any city in the US unless in the event of an emergency.

It could be interesting this weekend with the NATO summit, there are already bus loads of protesters arriving. But if you know the Chicago police, they won't need any military help.