I'm with ya' Paul. I don't think anyone can logically take offence at what Keating has said. Let's get over ourselves a bit. Some people have a real problem accepting the futility of certain wars/battles, which is understandable in many ways, especially if they've lost close relatives in wars. It's very difficult to accept the needlessness of their deaths in many instances.
There is absolutely no question about the bravery of the young soldiers that died at Gallipoli. Everyone knows that. But accusations of disrespect are the first cries we hear in an attempt to gain some sort of moral high ground.
I can tell you that Keating isn't alone in his feelings about Gallipoli and the manner in which the 'legend' has evolved. There are obvious reasons to respect these brave young men that died there, but let's not conveniently create something fictitious regarding the circumstances. That, too, needs to be recognised in its most raw and honest form.
I must say that I have become been very cynical about the annual 'pilgrimage' to Gallipoli. I have little doubt about the genuineness of the respect that many go there to pay, but in recent years it has become a bit of an 'Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi" hangout if you ask me. Fact is, half of them wouldn't even go there if it wasn't for the fact that it's become a big party destination on that occasion.
On one occasion, large numbers of them showed their true colours when they left the site absolutely littered with empty beer bottles/cans and other rubbish. Many of them would do the same thing every year, but apparently they've put measures in place to avoid it happening again.
