youngian
Saturday 12th November 2011 9:56am [Edited]
1,727 posts
Quote: reds @ November 11 2011, 3:18 PM GMT
I'd be interested to know their other ways .As much as we'd all like, I don't see the day when everyone sits down with a cup of tea and talks about their "disagreements" like grownups.
But there is a more sophisticated and developed committment to conflict resolution. As in Ireland this can be a dirty business and can leave a bad taste for all sides. A lot of warmongers dislike it as they naively think the business of brokering peace should be about the goodies inevitably defeating the baddies.
But war is ultimately just politics by other means.
Quote: TopBanana @ November 11 2011, 5:40 PM GMT
Most of us do - and always have, but the way people are made to feel guilty if you don't show admiration and respect 100% of the time sticks in my throat.
Why only recently has this started? Why not 15 years ago? Or after the Falklands War?
It is much more recent. I seem to remember it was a campaign about 6 years ago by the Sun (whose corporation tax only finances the Caymen Island armed forces) for a second two minute silence on 11 November (it was always on the Sunday only). A manager of a supermarket dared to point this out when he had audacity not to conform and were treated to the most sanctimonious guff imaginable.
Quote: TopBanana @ November 11 2011, 5:40 PM GMT
It's more than just poppy wearing.
We are constantly beaten over the head with how brave 'our boys' are and how we should have pride in them.
There is an understandable admiration for people in any job that involves putting your arse on the line for an average wage, but the armed forces appear to be immuned from any criticism about their performance.
In Iraq for instance they seemed of been run out of town by a rag bag Iranian backed militia.
And as for the navy captured in Iranian waters, they just felt sorry for them and called one of them Mr Bean. J K Rowling is probably more important in spreading British influence then the armed forces.