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I've had relatives fight in warzones, I don't think "The Mirror" really understands.

Nor for that matter any media types who are IMO nothing but synthetic "brave" reporters.

Would you go unarmed into a combat zone, Gio?

Theyre pretty bloody nails themselves to be honest, let alone the lads from the Suffolks.

I do wince at the slightly over the top reporting in that article though. I know he's firing for effect, but it was a bit too cheesy for me. 'Fix bayonets and face to face fighting' isnt quite what it appears at first glance. Yes they fix bayonets, purely cos it's the thing you do when near a FIBUA situation. I can see the faces of the guys on the ferryboats as they sail out of the Harbour.. for quite a long way as it happens, so face to face, hmm.. it aint hand to hand as implied by the reporter.

That's not taking owt away from the lads who are out there. theyre fighting harder than anyone since the second world war really. I dont feel sorry for 'em, theyre doing what they wanted to do. I do however feel a bit sorry for the lack of support that is given vocally by the Public. Plenty of 'Stop the War' winnets kicking around, but not many doing the reverse and supporting the Troops loudly on Street corners, etc

Kwackerz wrote:...I do however feel a bit sorry for the lack of support that is given vocally by the Public. Plenty of 'Stop the War' winnets kicking around, but not many doing the reverse and supporting the Troops loudly on Street corners, etc

It's not really that kind of war though, is it? You only really get visible support if you're defending some part of the "empire", don't you? I mean, other than the Falklands, when did the public last cheer on the Troops?

Agreed, however look at the US. By gum they get some hardcore support from Home, yet they dont defend their own Empire either

Kwackerz wrote:Would you go unarmed into a combat zone, Gio?

Theyre pretty bloody nails themselves to be honest, let alone the lads from the Suffolks.

I do wince at the slightly over the top reporting in that article though. I know he's firing for effect, but it was a bit too cheesy for me. 'Fix bayonets and face to face fighting' isnt quite what it appears at first glance. Yes they fix bayonets, purely cos it's the thing you do when near a FIBUA situation. I can see the faces of the guys on the ferryboats as they sail out of the Harbour.. for quite a long way as it happens, so face to face, hmm.. it aint hand to hand as implied by the reporter.

That's not taking owt away from the lads who are out there. theyre fighting harder than anyone since the second world war really. I dont feel sorry for 'em, theyre doing what they wanted to do. I do however feel a bit sorry for the lack of support that is given vocally by the Public. Plenty of 'Stop the War' winnets kicking around, but not many doing the reverse and supporting the Troops loudly on Street corners, etc

I've no idea if I would, I'm not a scribbler, but I still don't agree, they try and make us believe their lives are on the line, when its all rehearsed in some studio against a backdrop.

I met a lot of Journos out in Afghan. Funnily enough there were f*ck all Studios where they were heading. Even the quiet bits of Afghan arent quiet..

I think this is the thing

I will quite happily back our forces in any fight - but in this specific instance, i back the troops, but do not agree with the reason why they are there - that make sense?

Completely. Im sure there are lads who dont agree with why theyre there either. Me? I have my own agendas..

Kwackerz wrote:Agreed, however look at the US. By gum they get some hardcore support from Home, yet they dont defend their own Empire either

...but the day common-or-garden UK society becomes a clone of the US is the day I pull down the shutters and take up arms!

The fact is that military is not generally fashionable in the UK media so they don't go out looking for images which suggest that the country is behind the troops, regardless of the merits of the deployment. The opposite is true for the US.

Goldie wrote:
The fact is that military is not generally fashionable in the UK media so they don't go out looking for images which suggest that the country is behind the troops, regardless of the merits of the deployment. The opposite is true for the US.

Mainly why I posted it and disregarded the ott journalism. The sentiment was unusual enough for the British media who would rather sanitise and distance themselves from the whole thing.

Kwackerz wrote:. I do however feel a bit sorry for the lack of support that is given vocally by the Public. Plenty of 'Stop the War' winnets kicking around, but not many doing the reverse and supporting the Troops loudly on Street corners, etc

Joe Public doesnt want the war so you cant really blame him for a lack of vocal support for the troops. Those who want the war (the politicians) are supporting the troops , verbally at least.

one other difference between us and the yanks - how we honour our veterans

we have both remembrance sunday and 11/11 - they are not always the same - i find it fascinating that the public still, out of respect, stop on 11/11 at 1100 for a minute - and that is from the people, not the politicians

contrast that with the public holiday that is held on the other side of the pond - its just a holiday to most

I know american friends of mine have been amazed at what we do - and the USA veterans are jealous in a large part - ok, we do not have to live with the clusterfuck called vietnam, but still - what about the ww2 veterans etc?

oh - and most of that journalistic bullshit from the states is the ongoing fear of appearing unpatriotic or unamerican..... I do wish those buggers would at least learn the basics of english usage....

Was chatting to a mate of mine the other night (on msn!!), I believe he is in Basra, he went quiet for a while, he was being mortared, then he said he was sat there in his body armour and pot on his head, went to work next day to listen to the chaps in work moaning about f*ck all!!




On the news today, 3 british killed in Basra in a mortar attack!!!!

NO-ONE KNOWS UNLESS THEY'VE BEEN THERE.

i'm currently out in Afghanistan myself as a civilian communications contractor. Ex army (Royal signals/Royal irish regiment 12 years service).

i'm unarmed as i'm a civilian and i'm not overly keen on the idea. when i'm working/travelling i have escorts from whichever nations camp we are at. now forgive me but i'm not overly keen on the italians or french looking after me!!!!!

i seen active service in the first gulf war and 3 tours of northern ireland.

the guys out here are doing a great job under very hard conditions. my respect for them only gets better as the situations get worse in some parts of the country.

1 thing that gets me is the fact that so many people are quick to jump on the bandwagon against the presence here. the guys are here because it's their duty whether they believe it too be right or wrong. an order is an order and the guys will do their job regardless.

easy to sit back there and criticise, i say have some balls and do it yourself and you'll see how difficult a job it is.

get behind our troops and give them the support they need. a few good words go a long long way.