COBRA and P.A.T.R.I.O.T.
 

Ok, not really related to anything at all, but after hearing about the flood warnings for the E of England, and that the PM had called COBRA to discuss contingency plans, it made me wonder what COBRA stood for.... so I looked it up....


Cabinet Office Briefing Room A


Well, that's exciting. Definitely smacks of someone realising that a good name will make people think that "something is being done". Rather than just a normal meeting of civil servants and ministers. Reminds me of George Bush's nice little act:

Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001

Do you think they came up with the abbreviation first, then had someone look up words to fit it?? (U.S.A. P.A.T.R.I.O.T Act) How could any American not want an act with Patriot in the name FFS. :rolleyes:

I'm surprised that the Labour party hasn't renamed itself iLabour :rolleyes:

Re: COBRA and P.A.T.R.I.O.T.
 

Its not that exciting, the PM wont be in attendance normally, just seniot civil servants, members of the Armed forces if required and reps from other acencys. The last time the PM attended a COBRA brief was for foot and mouth in 2001.

they also have little room to the side where the SF lot sit if needed ;).

we have had to put some kit in there and its a right pain as we get put offf quite a bit cos silly litle brief start.

the more intersting rooms are across the coridor where 5 & 6 sit!

Re: COBRA and P.A.T.R.I.O.T.
 

See that sounds more exciting. It conjures up images of someone sitting there and saying "I'm very sorry Mr X" pressing a button and all these SF guys jumping out of a hidden room and splattering his brains all over the wall.

Life would be so much more exciting if I was in charge ;)

Re: COBRA and P.A.T.R.I.O.T.
 

not sure if they have little buttons to summon them, its more ofa briefing planning room that the SF use based upon any of the things discussed.

the last time i was there it ws just after the Brits when missing in Ethiopia, and they still had satalite images of the area and cars on the walls wit hmaps up. was cool to see.