NI Number talk

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

I'd hope you were wrong, but Tony Blair certainly has much to answer for. Before he betrayed the publics trust over Iraq, I think it's safe to say that when the British government decaired war that people generally accepted it was necessary. Now that trust is gone it's going to be much harder for this or any future government to convince the general public that we should be sending our armed forces to get maimed and killed, much less sign up themselves.

That's got less to do with people being cowards though, more to do with wanting to know that if the worst happens, they didn't take a bullet due to the insane whim of a lunatic Texan. A true coward is one who doesn't sign up when they're in danger of attack anyway, and I think the following (snippet of a) quote sums it up nicely

A man who has nothing which he cares about more than he does about his personal safety is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the existing of better men than himself

Yeah unfortunatly for us though we have no choice but to go where the lieing cretins in power decide to send us. I would much rather be fighting for the UK than just as you say on the whim of a stupid Texan.

However once there if i am taking incomming i will fight for all i am worth to ensure me and my mates make it back alive.

Unfortunatly a flip side is a lot of people will use the 'is it a just cause' if the need arose to hide behind it and not sign up etc.

[timwilky]

The lessons of Vietnam show that war must be for a just purpose before it can be fully supported, we know only too well in this age of Iraq and Afghanistan how prepared people are to fight for a cause they believe in.

Would this country be invaded by an occupying power, I would be prepared to fight that occupier, would I permit my son to be sent to Iraq, Afghanistan poorly equipped to protect himself, land rovers against explosives, insufficient air power etc. No.

If we are to wage war, do it properly, commit to obliterating your enemy, carpet bomb and napalm. Then put any survivors out of their misery. Collateral damage! No such thing with Dresden, Hiroshima etc.

Originally Posted by timwilky

would I permit my son to be sent to Iraq, Afghanistan poorly equipped to protect himself, land rovers against explosives, insufficient air power etc. No.

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dont belive all you read in the paper.

Originally Posted by neio79

dont belive all you read in the paper.

Great for moral, and PR if the armed forces are seen to be lying about the current state of affairs.

Maybe lying is not accurate enough, lets say "not correcting reports" instead.

Originally Posted by Baph

Great for moral, and PR if the armed forces are seen to be lying about the current state of affairs.

Maybe lying is not accurate enough, lets say "not correcting reports" instead.

what i meant is that the papers are quick to point out the fact our armour has in the past been penetrated by RPG's etc but negates to report the vast vast differances between the latest warriors and their armour going out to theater now. they are almost as well armoured as some main battle tanks.

see if you can find a pic of one of the first warriors out say in 04 and a pic of one now with all its armour and EW protection on it.

Hardly anyone has answered the question

Would you defend the country against foreign invasion? Yes/no?

Originally Posted by Ed

Hardly anyone has answered the question

Would you defend the country against foreign invasion? Yes/no?

Ed, I think that question in itself raises a whole lot of other questions, one of them being "what's there to defend anyway?". Just my two euro cents, and I'm not trying to stir the pot in any way.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Ed

Would you defend the country against foreign invasion? Yes/no?

Yes if my way of life was under threat or my loved ones or friend were. I dont know if I'd be a good soldier though. I'm not good and being told what to do I also dont know if I could shoot another person. I hope I never have to find out

Would I go to war because America has run out of oil and Geoge Bush told Tony Blair that he wouldnt be his friend anymore if he didnt commit troops to the war on Terror for example. No I wouldnt.

I have massive massive respect for our troops and what they get asked to do, Especially with Liz being in the TA brings another aspect to it.

[Messie]

No

HTH

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Would I go to war because America has run out of oil and Geoge Bush told Tony Blair that he wouldnt be his friend anymore if he didnt commit troops to the war on Terror for example. No I wouldnt.

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Nah we have done that alreeady. I cant wait til December when that Cretin in the Whitehouse goes, then i imagine the whole world will sigh a big sigh of relief!!