Yesterday I didn't get much chance to listen to the wall-to-wall coverage of the election campaign, but one subject seems to have been written out of the tory and labour agendas. The Guardian is reporting from the front line but it is the only UK newspaper which I can find doing so.
Politicians don't want to reminded us that we have around 10,000 of our armed forces fighting a pointless war in Afghanistan.
We must not forget. Both labour and the tories voted for this war, as they did for the war in Iraq. Remind them if you do happen to meet one.
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My friend left for the Helmand today. Another friends son is halfway through his tour. My Nephew finishes his training shortly and will no doubt take his place in the line.
I struggle to find the words to describe the contempt I currently feel toward those who send kids off to fight and die without absolute necessity.
The Tories were talking about hasted withdrawal last year. The fact it hasn't made it to the election campaign probably indicated that there is little chance of withdrawal in the near future.
Worth remembering that both Cameron and Clegg receive briefings from the MoD regarding the conflict.
Hold out some hope though. One of the TV debates includes foreign policy and it would be frankly remiss of the organisers not to included at least one question about Afganistan and Iraq.
"those who send kids off to die without absolute necessity."
And without the proper equipment. Authorised by scum who won't set foot outside their own doors without close protection men...
There are 10,000 of our brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, friends out there.
It is worrying that so little, if any debate is going on about Afghanistan.
Have the MSM and the Parties made a deal or what?
It is a serious issue, and as Hythlodaeus said , I hope questions about Afghanistan are asked at the leaders debate.
CSR;
I know loads of words. I can't think of one either. Shall we just make on up, something suitable?
Anyway
what with me nephew out in Kenya prior to posting to Afghanistan...they had break from training etc and went to a Safari park turns out there was lots of honeymooners and couples mooning about.......
quite what they thought when 60 squaddies turned up we dont know.
but we did laugh
Lest we forget indeed - and don't worry SR - that question is on my lips if they show face at the door, that and a few other things!
Only one question in 4 and a half hours of questioning Hythlodaeus? That's letting them well off the hook.
I struggle to find the words for the politicians who are so trigger happy CSR. Sending anyone to a needless and pointless war is an offence to me.
Be assured though, the younger ones have the support of the best in the world in their chain of command.
I hope they return home safely.
You know Julia, I'm becoming so used to knowing the equipment our men have is inadequate, I forget to include it.
Have you seen the numbers hanging around Gordon Brown each time he makes a public appearance? His protection could buy quite a lot of kit I'm sure.
Of course Niko, I forgot your nephew's about to hit the sand.
Hope he too comes home safe.
Please do Marvo. I get too emotional thinking of these people who put so many lives, young and older, at such risk.
Believe me Dram, if any knock at my door that will be the only subject which will be mentioned. Of course none want to discuss it so it will be a very short conversation.
My Thoughts My Country: Gordon Brown ruled that all UK reporters on the front line should be removed during the election campaign.
Summer, 2009, I ran a serious look at why? It is all about money.
Yes, you've done a good job with this OR, one of the few who has kept up the pressure.
Money and power or money= power.
I've been keeping a vague sort of eye out for written questions. There are a lot being asked, the answers are more often than not either oblique or wrong, using old information.
Sadly I think the bottom line is political, as the hecklers in Parliament suggested - it would seem that some believe all soldiers, of whatever age and whatever rank, are Tories.
Following the ARRSE thread about voting, it seems many don't believe their postal votes will arrive in Britain in time to be counted.
I should have said that even though MSM don't seem to be saying much there are regular updates on Helmand Blog
http://helmandblog.blogspot.com/
Mrs R, isn't it perfectly obviously no politician wants to talk about the military. After all there are only 10,000 involved in a foreign country. What's 10,000 to these people as long as they can stay in power?
It's all political. I agree with the ARRSE writers about postal votes not arriving in time. Labour don't want military votes because they know the majority vote anything other than Labour.
As for proxy votes - the system would make a 5 year old embarrassed. I'll outline it briefly for you.
First of all the military person has to go into the website relating to their resident area. They complete a form online and send it to relevant office.
So far so good.
But then, they have to download the form, sign it and send it by post to the same office who can then confirm the signature. Only then will they be notified if they are entitled to a proxy vote. Soldiers etc don't get labour campaigners knocking at their doors will postal vote forms believe me.
Yes I read that Mrs R. It's written by Media Ops - in other words it's a government mouthpiece so that's ok.
What Brown doesn't want is free lance investigative journalists. They won't toe the line.
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