Ralph Blewitt's RAR mates from Afghanistan being investigated for calling in support.

In a democracy, the glare of publicity is often the best way to protect our freedoms.

There is nothing wrong with making a phone call to support a mate. 

During the week, Ralph Blewitt received just such a phone call from serving members of the RAR brotherhood who are currently deployed overseas.

I've been corresponding with a US serviceman who has contacts in Australia.  

Here's his very disquieting note today

Remember 1812 said:                           

                                Good Evening. I posted here a few days hence (Remember 1812) after speaking with an old Aussie friend from your Military about your current National Leader Ms Gillard. I'm a serving member of the US Military, so I hope you realize that I am not in any way promoting 'revolution' against a foreign Government or its People, which the UCMJ very correctly frowns upon. Federal Prisons are quite damp places. What prompts me to write before I draw the fire and go to bed, is:  My friend is pay rate O5 in your Military and I have never heard him so concerned at anything before - laid back is a damned good description. He is almost 'frightened' if that is  the correct term. He is saying that he cant comment publicly but that the Aust Govt is conducting a secure inquiry at high level into the calls from your troops that Mr. Blewitt is said to have received. This is a definite concern to all free people and you deserve a heads up in his opinion. Anyway, he asked me to let you know - don't know why my career is less important than his (smile) - the way it is with friends I guess. I was a young kid at Watergate time but I understand the power of Govt. Maybe your PM is following Richard Nixon - he of the "I am not a crook" variety.  I mentioned this to my friend only I said 'Dick" not the President...after a short bout of hilarity he pointed out my error. Really? Well Oooorah! Do with this whatever you will - deletion sounds good. I hope all goes well for you and I will keep reading your Blog - not bad wordsmithing for a 'grunt'. Just mail me an 'ack' to let us know you received this please. PS: Thank you for your kind words in your email. It is BTW a secure mailer - no records kept, those damned Brits still have spies about in the Great State of Georgia, even after 200 years - (grin

As you can see my correspondent and I have had some email communication as well.

I hope that the servicemen who phoned Ralph are not being investigated.   If they are, I hope this publicity causes those enquiries to stop.   If it doesn't, we should all be very concerned.

Ralph Blewitt's RAR mates from Afghanistan being investigated for calling in support - Michael Smith News: