Defamation to Damnation!

Janno was reading out the reports of the findings, from the Judge presiding over the Nine newspapers defamation case.

'Ben Roberts-Smith, holder of the Victoria Cross and other top military honours, was also “not an honest and reliable witness in … many areas” and a bully towards other Australian soldiers. Australia’s most decorated soldier was “complicit in and responsible for the murder” of three Afghan men on deployment. And while Justice Besanko could not find "sufficiently reliable" evidence the soldier punched a woman he was having an affair with, he found he was "intimidatory, threatening and controlling".’

'From hero to zero,’ said Johno. ‘Ironically he shot himself in the foot by bringing the case, from Defamation to Damnation!

'As many veterans who served in Afghanistan have pointed out, his actions actually contributed to increased Australian casualties because the executions ultimately triggered an ongoing spiral of retribution, and an inherent lack of trust and support from Afghan locals.’

Alphy had often observed how Aussie Saps lionised their warrior class, especially their war heroes; politicians from time immemorial, cynically exploiting the mythology.

The Centaurians were always incredulous at how Sap politicians across the globe were able so easily incite their populace to a war footing, whilst remaining safely ensconced (with their families), in their unassailable home fortresses, the latest example being the wannabe Tsar, the Gremlin in the Kremlin.

Alphy noted that the words of the Sap Nazi, Hermann Goring, were unfortunately as relevant today as they were over eighty years ago. “The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders...tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger.”

'It begs the question,’ said Janno, ‘why it took a civil case to bring Ben Robert-Smith to Justice?’

'Why indeed,’ said Johno. ‘It took many, many years, but thankfully, the journalists Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters finally penetrated the Military Code of Silence.’

'So,’ said Alphy, ‘for once, the Pen is Mightier than the Sword!’