On A Lighter Note

What kind of shoes do you wear with an outfit like that?

A Message to Gordon Brown

You must be delighted at the amount of MSM coverage you and your henchmen received this weekend. You will be thinking, "That's told them. They're disloyal to our troops and now they'll come on the side of us politicians."

Your reasons for our armed forces to be present today in Afghanistan are lies. Anyone with a computer can discover the real truth within minutes. No longer can politicians talk propaganda or suggest the public does not support the British military - these days are gone thank goodness. I would say the support for our armed forces and their achievements are well beyond doubt.

The public are not listening because we are in Afghanistan for purely political reasons which have little to do with terrorism. But still, you continue to insist this is to do with keeping our streets free of terrorists. That is a lie. You are there because you, as the Saviour of the World, have an overwhelming desire to be pals with the US and Europe. It must have cheered you when Nato decided to support the decision to invade Afghanistan because that decision proved to you, or your ego, that Britain is great and you are all-powerful. You just cannot decide who you support can you? Much of Europe is against some US policies yet you never listen.

Your Defence Secretary, Bob Ainsworth, said today that "the UK's presence there could not be determined by public opinion." Change of tune from a few weeks ago there for Mr Ainsworth.

You stated on the Politics Show: "The government had a 'duty' to set out the reasons behind the Afghanistan operation whenever questions are raised. It's right that we explain there is a chain of terror that links Pakistan and the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to the streets of our cities in Britain."

No matter how much you try to spread fear throughout these islands Mr Brown, the public are not falling for it. You have not set out any acceptable reasons why our forces are still present in this foreign land because you do not have any. So you pursue the old political habit of telling us we are not supporting our military in the hope that we will submit to your untruths.

While you sit in the comfort of No 10 awaiting Barack Obama's telephone call, let me tell you the public do support our military but they do not support the reasons you give for this war. Many know the work they do is invaluable to others. In Basra for instance, our soldiers built many utilities only to have them blown up, sometimes multiple times, by the 'terrorists' who had entered the country after the US and British invasion. How soul destroying it must be for soldiers to see their achievements destroyed time after time.

You underestimate the morals of the people of these islands. We have a deal with our military. It is that they agree to protect us and in return we shall support them at all times. Whether we believe in the reasons for our participation in any conflict has nothing to do with our respect for our forces.

No politician can break that agreement no matter how hard they try to tell us we don't support those who protect us.

Your invective only enforces our belief in our military and their capabilities. It does absolutely nothing to persuade us that most politicians have the security of these islands as a priority. The majority voted for us to join the US in this invasion and each and every one of them ought to hang their heads in shame because few, I suspect, even checked out the history of the region. Why should they admit they erred and lose the camaraderie of the cosy Westminster club?

Matthew Parris offers you a solution. Will you accept it? I think not. Your obsession with your (not our) 'relationship' with the US is completely clouding any authority you have left.

And still you refuse to say 221 were not killed in the Afghan war. Such a cowardly attempt to cover your own inadequacies.

One Scientist's Opinion

Courtesy of Dr Grumble

Remembrance Day

We Will Remember Them

Another soldier was killed in Helmand province yesterday. He was part of the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles serving with 4th Battalion, The Rifles. His death bring the toll to 231.

In an hour's time the majority of the UK will acknowledge the sacrifice, willingly given, by so many in WW1, WW2 and various conflicts and wars since.

Let us also remember those families who were never the same again, having lost someone most dear to them and tolerated the loss quietly. Often I wish many families had spoken up about their suffering because then perhaps the people would realise just how much our armed forces contribute to this nation. They are there when firemen strike, when the police have problems, when health care workers decide to withdraw their labour and for thousands of other 'small' but not unimportant tasks which help keep these islands safe and sound.

This year I trust many of us will also spare a few moments to think about the injured from these wars. Their lives and and the lives of those close to them, have changed forever. Do we hear them complain?

A Soldier's Question.

We know at home we are quite truly known,

As those who can and do obey, for that is what we do.

Also at home are they who send us here and they who know we must obey.

For we are their protectors and their way must so be ours.

For we obey.

So in the searing heat of all around,

The sound of guns and moans of pain,

The further endless cries "This is the way"

By ugly sirens asking of us all,

Nought but that we must obey.

I ask you politician,Sir, is in your soul,

A thought as ugly as this war?

For when we do just as you say, and fight because we must obey,

You do not seem to have the pain,

Nor lose the friend that we must, in vain,

Attempt to save from your mistakes and egos train.

This dark place of home grown fate is not our dwelling place.

That lies far beyond this land of ancient ways and awful strife.

We do our best in sand and searing heat,

For all the things our masters say,

So, as our limbs and lives are blown away,

All that is left is that we must obey.

One question left for us to ask, from all this clever, fatal grey,

Of spin and secrets no one may yet gainsay,

To whom do you, flawed leaders, answer to?

To whom is it you ought or should obey?

We doubt your debt is n'ere as bloody as the one that we must pay.

The poem is courtesy of OldRightie

Rail Decision Must Be Stopped in its Tracks

There are two arterial routes to Scotland by rail.

If you travel to Scotland from London or the south east of England, the train brings you up the east coast to Edinburgh and for those who wish to travel west, it continues to a final stop at Glasgow.

Should you wish to travel from Cornwall, Devon or Somerset to Scotland the route is up the west coast to Glasgow.

Now the Westminster government and the rail industry have decided that the London/Edinburgh/Glasgow east coast main line service is to be axed. From 2010 all trains will stop at Edinburgh. Those wishing to travel to Glasgow will be required to change trains, thus taking the clock back years. The East Coast Main Line Glasgow/London was fought hard for by many rail travellers and it must be distressing to see it return to the old days when the east and west were firmly divided.

The problem arises in the lack of a service from Glasgow to the north of England and such destinations as Newcastle, York and Doncaster could be affected. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Arriva Cross Country could take up the 'slack' under the new timetable by extending its service it operated from Glasgow along part of the East Coat Main Line as far as York.

That would leave only destinations in the south-east of England without a direct connection to Glasgow.

The news comes three days after the Department for Transport said a government-owned company, trading as East Coast, would take over operation of train services next Friday from National Express who stated in the summer they wanted to relinquish the contract.

John Mason, the SNP MP for Glasgow East:

'... the changes revealed Labour’s “hypocrisy” on rail following criticism this week of the SNP’s decision to scrap the Glasgow Airport Rail Link. He added: “These plans, which have been made without any consultation, are a serious mistake and must be stopped in their tracks.”

What strange timing by the Westminster to announce cutting such a vital rail link between Scotland and London. Have they forgotten there is a by-election in Glasgow NE next week or are they so confident they will win, that Glasgow isn't important to the UK? Possibly both.

Source

Saturday Smile - The Four Stages of Life

Aye, that's about it!

Prioritising Obama Style

I don't know the circumstances of President Obama's situation here but it would appear he's addressing some conference just after he's heard the news of the shooting in Texas.

As Counting Cats in Zanzibar says "Nice set of priorities there." I wonder if anyone in the audience had a loved one stationed at Fort Hood.