In the past week the war in Afghanistan has been brought to the attention of the public. Few could ignore the deaths of our troops or the numerous debates in the media. I feel awash with information and trying to assemble it into some kind of sense is not easy.
French troops have refused to go to Afghanistan while Spain ruled out sending more, yet our politicians can't give us accurate numbers and we're given the reason of 'protecting our country from terrorism' as the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. But how many believe it.
Informed writers have their opinions, one being Julian Kavanagh who, quite rightly in my view, criticises General Sir Rchard Dannatt for his public outpourings. His statement 'The politicians, for all their faults, are the masters and they make the decisions they are elected to make and crucially, within the budgets that they have.'
Our politicians are in charge and the military bosses have little influence with the present government. Bob Ainsworth is ridiculed as Defence Secretary as it's so obvious he has no grasp of his remit but, for Gordon Brown, he was the least worst choice. I admit to having to re-read this paragraph in that article - "Bob is liked by the military," a friend (of Ainsworth's) said. "They like his toughness. They like his occasional laddishness." Ludicrous.
This country has fallen to a new low when we have a Prime Minister who is only interested in his own status and has no concern for Britain and we have the likes of Ainsworth and Rammell making major military decisions. As well as being less than truthful about air support, they refuse to tell us the numbers who have been injured in the Afghan war as 'they are of no interest to the public.' They interest me. Hundreds have been seriously injured, many will never lead an independent life again, yet they are never acknowledged by our elected representatives.
Gordon Brown has stated the war in Afghanistan 'could go on for years'. Why? It is a country with a corrupt government and it will hold a corrupt election.
It is my hope that when more people realise Afghanistan is not a military problem but a cultural one, they will call for our soldiers to be returned home. The war is unwinnable. Until we have proper border controls in the UK, terrorists will be able to walk into the UK unchallenged and having 9000 soldiers in Afghanistan is not going to alter that fact.
Instead of investing in infrastructure and security, the Department for International Development has invested £420,000 on a leisure park for women and a Ferris wheel. Hospitals and schools seem far less important.
While I write this I'm listening to Gordon Brown stumbling and stuttering through an acknowledgement of the kindness and respect the people of Wootton Bassett show to our fallen. Doesn't he realise people go to Wootton Bassett because they support our troops not the war.
This is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
This war, plus the Iraq war, may well have long-term effects on Britain. Taliban sympathisers will not forget Britain's contribution and will target us at every opportunity for many years to come. We have paid our dues to the US, it is time to make our own decisions and show some sense where the security of this island is concerned.
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40 comments:
Well said. Neatly ties together my thoughts.
A counrty with a corrupt government? Yes, Nobody could argue wtih that, But what about Afghanistan.
It was once called 'The Great Game'. It was a trial of strength with Russia. - a trial in the minds of tiny people who had their hands on great power - a trial on the gound for brave peolle who were killed or maimend as pieces in the minds of those who only cared for their claret their oh so secret sexual encouters and their power games.
Lucky things are like that now eh?
I was at work when I first heard about a plane crashing into the World Trade centre, my wife had rung me.I thought"what a terrible accident" and there being no TV or radio in the library, I went on what was then the next best thing, the internet.
When the next plane hit, then the news about the pentagon came up, we(the entire staff and some of the public were clustered about the computer)realised we were at war.
I was all for the attack on the Taleban, the image of smouldering people jumping to their deaths fresh in my mind.
I gleefully described the effect of a daisycutter bomb exploded above a bunker on the cowardly scum cringing away from armed Western soldiers.
The entire world backed America.
Then Dubya and his poodle invaded Iraq...
Now the West is seen as an repressive force, bombing party goers, just because they shot off their weapons in celebration.
Now our young soldiers are needlessly dying because of a cheeseparing MOD.
If we can't give them what they need...pull them out.
SR,
Probably the finest post you have ever written.
I can say no more than that.
Your thoughts, your facts held together with no doubt with a wee tear and some proper sentiment.
You can have the rest of that bottle of pinot grigio on me for that
Well done!
I agree with Last of the Few - a fine post, sr, and as you know I don't always share your perspective on military matters.
I'm reading Mark Curtis' Web of Deceit at the moment. Readers might pause to reflect that the equipment denied to our forces in the field is probably unavailable because it has been sold to Israel. Perhaps we need to revert to the old system of soldiers paying for any kit they want out of their own pay packets - it seems the only way they'll get it from this government.
This may not be too far from the truth, although it is satire.
I posted before looking at that link. It's not satire, it really is the truth. Read the Curtis book!
Thank you Alan. It's a very broad subject but I did my best to be objective.
I think I read a book once entitled that or something similar Jim. It was about exactly that.
Britain will never given our troops what they need is such wars Conan. We've never given our military top notch kit and much of our so called victories are down to the courage and bravery of the soldiers involved rather than the equipment they have.
When we went to Kosovo, I understand our equipment was by far the poorest of all the military forces present.
Auch LotF, you're far too kind but thanks. I will finish the pinot grigio tonight now and without conscience. :)
Many thanks for the compliment Vronksy and I'm pleased you agree with these thoughts.
Vronsky, many troops have been buying their own equipment for the past 10+ years. In Iraq the boots issued were of such poor quality that they fell apart within a month or less because of the terrain and heat. Gloves were the same. Families had to send kit and pay first class postage because Tony Blair stopped free or BFPO rates. I'm quite sure many would prefer to purchase their own kit because then they would feel confident about quality.
I'll amend the satire comment Vronsky because you're right.
SR,
Madame, Bob Ainsworth isn't liked by us chaps in the Military, he's a cunt like every other Labour stooge during the last 13 years of Nu Liebore rule.
The pal who stated this is clearly uninformed and is as big a prick as Bob, it's not personal he just doesn't have the balls or intellect to carry out his brief.
Plain and simple,
Crazy D
Jim - no doubt my late uncle - famous owner of the Oxford Bar in Edinburgh from before WW2 until the late 70s - would certainly approve of my lifelong support for Independence, the pursuit of reason and decency and Scottish rugby but he would be upset by my favourite tipple being a glass (or two) of wine. This would fall under his category of "continental filth, along with lager!
I will, however, continue to toast my superhighway friends with a glass of collapso as the sun tips over the yardarm - most evenings. Slainte!
Forgot to say, we needed a further 1300 people last December to help in the field, we got fuck all because Ministers decided to kick the issue into the long grass, we got 200 but it takes 6 months to prep them for the jobs they carry out (on average), it's now July and we get another 700 for the "Elections" and they will be drawn down straight after they're complete, meantime begging round of staffwork is in the pipeline while these incompetent bastards sit and fiddle while Rome burns, I want these twats out of Office now, LABOUR GOVERMENT - NOT IN MY NAME!
Hold fast more deaths to come prior to the weekend,
CD
We cannot, I fear, make our own decisions independantly of the US as they do not tolerate such independance from any state that could not defend itself against them. A good post and i am now beginning to appreciate your distinction between the men and women of the armed forces and the actions which they are ordered to perform.
Take a look at this Unsafe Gun runners supplying our boys
By the way a great article. Mind if a I borrow a few links later
Your late Uncle? Willie Ross in his green cardigan - not be be confused withh the Secretary of State for Scotland of the same name! My God woman, i drank, very quietly, in his presence and paid for my drinks in Scottish notes. We are family!
Oh, that's set me thinking. Yes, I know, that Rankin eejit (the silence of the lums - fair dos - that made me laugh) has made it famous since WR's ime but I went there when he shut the bar when it suited him, when he heard English accents in the street...
There were two tall green taps - heavy and heavy - you could have whisky if you wanted.
He was not too big on elf and saftey, He didn't clean the glasses on the gantry unless you asked, very politely. He once, in my presence, expectorated over half of them, 'Share that among yez boys', he said.
If I, amongst others in the blogger family, help save this Country and its brave servicemen and women from the corruption, deceit and downright lies of Labour I shall die a happy man.
I agree with much of what you have said. This is an unwinnable war which is causing far more harm to Afghanistan, its people and our own soldiers than any benefit it could bring.
But why do you use this war to have another pop at immigrants? This is not the first time I've read your slurs against immigrants. In my view, these are highly volatile slurs given the levels of Islamaphobia in our media, among some politicians and the public at large. Those Euro election results would never have happened without the current fear of Islam that's fanned every day by lazy talk from people who should know better.
There have been no so called terrorist outrages perpetrated by illegal immigrants in this country and i wish you would stop pretending that such people are a threat to us.
I believe that Scotland's declining and ageing population needs more immigration to provide the skills and workers which can make our country thrive again. I also believe that the perception that the UK is anti-Muslim is probably a fair one for extemists to exploit and anti-immigration outpourings are self fulfilling and counter productive in equal measure.
And finally, don't kid yourself that this war is a party political matter. The Tories, whom so many Nats seem to fawn over, are far further up the rear end of the military and the bomb makers than Labour ever will be. God help us all if those imperialist toffs ever get into power down south.
@Naldo,
You've had your time. We gave you your chance, we never thought much of it and you proved us right. Now, drop dead.
Naldo, you can agree to disagree with someone's point of view (as I do with subrosa on some things) without calling your opponents arguments a ''slur''.
We're not posting on a newspaper here: we should be grown-ups.
Pretty good assessment from subrosa I have to say. It is extremely hard to find anyone other than the young and idealistic who believe we are bringing democracy and liberating women (as if it was that easy)who actually tries to justify this any more. Other than that now we are in, we can't leave until we've won. Which is moronic.
Naldo you are all over the place. Islamophobia is a different subject from immigration which is a different subject from terrorism. You are conflating a lot of issues here which I don't think the author of this blog has done (ever). I know that 'cause I've debated with her about all of them !
CD young man, you should know about Mr Ainsworth being a man afloat as they say.
Your comment is sad but true.
Auch CD, don't wish more deaths please. I know you're possibly correct but it's horrible to hear.
Selma, all the more reason Scotland should be independent surely. The US tolerate France, Germany etc but you're perhaps right insofar as they could defend themselves against them. I thought once we joined the EU that we would become a force of worth but it still seems the US calls the shots. Not in my name though.
I read that FL, interesting research thanks.
FL you can take anything you wish, you should know that by now young man. :)
Me too OR, that's why we do it isn't it? It's certainly not for any gain other than that.
Hello naldo, did I have a pop against immigrants? I thought I said terrorists so, taking your stance all immigrants are terrorists. Auch away you go!
I don't know the details naldo, but UK prisons contain thousands of illegal immigrants who are criminals and wanted in their own countries. What their religion is I have no idea, it doesn't concern me.
There has been much treasonable talk from illegal immigrants, you know - the ones we can't deport because they may get 'hurt' in their own countries.
Immigration is another subject altogether and not connected with Taliban supporters who are able to come here with ease. May I say the UK is not the only European country that is anti-muslim but it is the only one which has taken a front line position in wars where muslims are involved.
Did I say this was a party political matter? I thought I wrote about all politicians and used Gordon Brown and his government purely because they have reigned over our military for the past 12 years.
I seldom kid myself naldo, I never seem to have the time.
Don't you think more of the young idealists are coming round to seeing how useless it all is for us being there observer?
Subrosa, thank you for not wishing me dead. I did get a bit uppity in my comments for which i apologise.
But Jim Baxter should stick to taking the pish out the English defence on black and white telly and ease up on the personal abuse.
My problem was with this paragraph from the original post:
"It is my hope that when more people realise Afghanistan is not a military problem but a cultural one, they will call for our soldiers to be returned home. The war is unwinnable. Until we have proper border controls in the UK, terrorists will be able to walk into the UK unchallenged and having 9000 soldiers in Afghanistan is not going to alter that fact."
In my view, this paragraph conflates the war on terror with immigration and border control. The war was started to root out Al Quaeda and the suggestion is that this end would be better served by stopping illegal immigrants entering the country.
I am not suggestng that Subrosa is Islamaphobic but many many people are and the conflation of these two concepts helps to feed such fear and hatred.
I live in Edinburgh which has a small but significant Islamic community. Statistically and quite visibly, this community is more law abiding, more neighbourly and more family orientated than any other in the city yet many of its members live in real fear of physical and/or verbal attack.
For this reason, i reckon it is incumbent on all of us to chose our language very carefully when discussing all of these issues.
Observer, i don't believe i know you or Subrosa and i don't accuse either of you of Islamaphobia but i do believe that the post could easily be construed as such by those who wish to do so.
Auch Naldo I never wish anyone dead.
I'll let Jim answer himself.
That paragraph was meant to combine both aspects. Al Quaeda members have been allowed to enter this country freely for years, without papers etc. I'm not saying all are illegals because of course there is a strong British born base, but our lack of border controls in the past 30 years has been a disgrace to the safety of the people of this island.
I'm not Islamaphobic whatsoever, I know some Muslims quite well, but if detesting the fanatic Islamist classes me as Islamaphobic then so be it. Any religious fanatic of any religion I find distasteful.
Naldo, may I suggest you're perhaps slightly more sensitive about anyone who mentions terrorism (meaning Muslims in your book) because you live in a community which has inclusive Muslims in its midst.
It's much easier to be objective naldo because I live in rural Scotland where such issues have yet to arise. I do watch my language but still I write my opinions. If someone feels my language isn't to their liking, they don't have to read what I say.
Subrosa, thank you for responding to my rant and apologies again for its intemperate tone. As you've gathered, this is a subject very close to my heart. I've had Muslim pals since primary 1 and have seen and heard the sort of crap they've had to take all their lives. They've had to put up with so much more of it since the outrages of 9/11.
I would never deign to tell you what you should write nor how you should do so. Your blog is informative and gratifyingly opinionated - it would just not be the same if you watered it down (as if) and i will continue to read it even when i don't agree with it.
I just think there are too many casual links in the media and in blogs between war, terror, extremism and Islam. This is dreadfully unfair to the vast majority of very decent, peaceful, fun loving Muslims whose personalities and culture have contributed so much to Edinburgh and Scotland in general and my own life in particular.
Muslims are to fascists now, what Jews were to fascists in the 1920's and 30's - a very soft target for divisive bile. And we all know how dreadfully that ended.
It's time to stand up for decency and take on fascism because it's on the rise again in Europe.
Sorry to go on and on about this but i'm genuinely worried by what's been happening lately and i will continue to challenge the casual links which i mentioned above.
Keep on keepin on, SR.
I can understand your concern Naldo. Mud sticks, tar with the same brush and all that.
On a less serious note, I was speaking to a German couple earlier this week (they'd just arrived in Scotland) and they asked me just how mean were the Scots. They were actually serious.
Unfortunately, from my very distant viewpoint, it does seem the reasonable and average Muslim doesn't seem to do much to decry the fanatics, but like lots of us, bury their heads in the sand.
I would like to see the law-abiding, quiet Muslims speak out more and say these fanatics don't speak for them.
Apologies if I'm not making myself too clear but I'm tired tonight.
Hey, Subrosa, i realise you've moved onto many other topics since this post (yer nowt if no prolific) and you may never read this comment. But just in case:
Coincidentally, this evening's news features the story of Isa Ibrahim. Ibrahim was a UK citizen who converted to Islam and appears to have had many personal and possibly mental health issues.
He set up a wee bomb factory in his rented flat and espoused extreme views at his local mosque. Seems like he was prepared to explode a device in a Bristol shopping centre but thankfully he was brought to the atttention of the security services by members of the mosque, alarmed at the things he'd been saying.
The BBC reports this as having been the first such arrest as a result of a tip off from local Muslims. That's probably because, thankfully, people like Ibrahim are very rare indeed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8155978.stm
It would be nice if this story received attention on political blogs but it probably won't be high on most bloggers agendas. I might try writing about it myself but it's not usually my kinda subject.
My own Muslim friends, colleagues and associates have been unanimously unequivocal in condemning extremism (I tend to ask them about it as i like to talk politics, they oftenb do too). I have no doubt whatsoever that they'd be straight on the blower to the cops if they suspected any fellow Muslims of planning or espousing extremist activities.
Next time you're in Edinburgh, you should try and get along to the mosque cafe at Edinburgh's Central Mosque, Potterrow on the Southside. It serves cheap and very cheerful South Asian food and, especially on a Friday, is hoachin with Muslims who're right up for a chat about politics, religion, international affairs etc. Many of them are also right up for Scottish independence.
A trip to the Mela might also be an eye opener, though that's a South Asian rather than specifically Muslim event.
http://www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk/
I cannae wait for the Mela which also happens to coincide with my birthday weekend.
Anyway, apologies if i've been trying to tell a Dundee wifey how to suck eggs. I'll beat it for now.
Naldo, I acknowledge every comment if I can and thanks for the compliment. I just hope I bring topics to the attention of more folks that's my aim.
I'll look into your comment in more depth when I have more time - I promise.
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