For those of my readers who have never heard of Iain MacWhirter, he is one of Scotland's top freelance journalists. He is also Rector of Edinburgh University.
Today he has a meritorious post about Afghanistan on his blog. It can be read it here.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
8 comments:
Almost could have nicked it from Oldrightie! Seems to have borrowed my Anonymouse.
SR,
A good article, the UK Government has to make up it's mind why we are using the blunt instrument of the UK Armed Forces, what the exact aim and objectives are and then get on with it or get out.
If we get out, it's GAME OVER for UK Plc. And I can get on with enabling the SDF and whilst volunteering my life for others will make eminent sense - not the bollox of a UK Westmidden World power obsessed bunch of colonial fools.
The Empire is almost over - Scotland will be free.
What is just, rational or moral in a sham "obligation" to achieve that which cannot be achieved?
I have just heard General McChrystal liken the coallition troops in Afghanistan to a fighting Bull and the Taliban as the Matador. Tragically - a perfect metaphoric scenario constantly repeated in Afghanistan.
It is being likened, with good reason, to Vietnam - but where is the mass public outcry from the public - surely we not going to rely on a pip-squeak pip squeaker like Mister Joyce to be the sole voice with his version of cod-dissent? His reputation makes a mockery of any vestige of genuine concern he may have for the troops.
It's easy to sit in our cosy studys and sitting rooms tapping out our feelings and perhaps we feel it would appear treacherous to march against the war while the daily toll continues - but something has to be done to clearly demonstrate our support of the troops and our democratic obligation to demand that our elected representatives put our own house in order.
A General Election is not enough to deal with our current UK political shambles. The Tory party leader could not have been given a more brilliant opportunity to forge ahead - but the lack of any significant forward momentum or grasp of political enterprise does not bode well for any future improvement of note. I fear we will just be glad to see the back of Labour only to be replaced with much of the same.
I think Iain MacWhirter's independent enough in his journalistic skills not to have to take ideas from other bloggers OR. :)
Brown is speaking about Afghanistan while I type CD but I'm not listening yet. It will be the usual rubbish of course.
Still raining here off and on. :(
Part of the problem Clarinda is that, out of the population, not many people have a great interest in what our troops do, they just accept 'they are there'.
Therefore, until they're not there to provide the quiet, unassuming protect they give, then the public aren't particularly interested. They much prefer to ignore the deaths and material written about Afghanistan.
I too fear the tories will be much of the same. David Cameron hasn't instilled any confidence in me that he will do one thing differently. That's a serious problem.
Full magazine in the bulls eye. He is right on target. I posted on Monday 31 August on the implications of this fiasco for London.
I read your post Demetrius and agreed with it. I've just noticed I don't have you on my blog list and have corrected that. (I do get you on my reader you see).
Post a Comment