Gallipoli - Innocence vindicated

From The Australian.

The Gallipoli campaign was a tragedy and a failure. Yet it was part of a wider war whose outcome would be momentous and whose significance was a vindication of Australia's commitment. Our war decision was not a blunder but an authentic reflection of identity, values and strategy.

It is amazing to read these words. To express such sentiments not so long ago would have brought down on your head a deluge of evil-sounding epithets: capitalist pig, imperialist lackey, fascist, militarist, etc, etc. Times have changed, in small part thanks to John Howard, "a pro-British monarchist" who "has been a champion of populist Australian nationalism" and "testimony to the authenticity of the original Australian-Briton fused identity". Amazing.

Tagged: Culture, War, History, Australia, Empire