SOUND BITE SOLDIERS

It is chilling to hear our government accept that fatalities will increase in Afghanistan and know that our troops are under-equipped.

We are shocked by the history of those who ordered our forces over the trenches to meet almost certain death. I had thought the idea that soldiers were expendable and their deaths part of the budget of war had long been buried.

Instead, young soldiers are being ordered out in inadequate armoured vehicles across roads which their superiors know will result in certain death for some. This is intolerable.

Yes, fatalities will occur on the battle-field in engaged combat, but to squander soldiers mindlessly in a roulette game of roadside bombs is nonsensical and inexcusable.

That the Prime Minister rebuffs such criticism with sound bites about keeping the battle away from our shores is invidious. The battle is on home ground as each body is repatriated.