The armed forces.

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Apparently the public abusing members of the armed forces is becoming increasingly common, the justification being that they don't agree with the operations currently under way in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The last time I heard anything like this was the case of a soldier wounded in Iraq that was told by a NHS hospital that he would have to take off his uniform before they would treat him, as it may have offended the staff or patients. I was shocked when I heard this, however it never crossed my mind that it could be anything more than an isolated incident.

The Prime Minister has condemned all who abuse or discriminate against members of the armed forces, I agree that it is a complete disgrace that our soldiers cannot show their commitment to this country without living in fear of being insulted or abused. Anyone showing the least bit of disrespect to members of the armed forces should be ashamed of themselves.

How do you feel about members of the armed forces? Have you/would you consider insulting them? If so, why?
 
They're nowhere near as respected as they once were. It's a shame really, I think people have become way too comfortable in todays society and not all of the younger generations (<25) appreciate the sacrafices made. It's easy for some people to ignore what is happening in the middle east, it's on the news almost every day, which is probably why there's less respect shown for those involved.

The next soldier to die becomes a figure on a TV screen, people don't take any time to think about the ever increasing tally of deaths - I think our armed forces are something that people take for granted.
 
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The last time I heard anything like this was the case of a soldier wounded in Iraq that was told by a NHS hospital that he would have to take off his uniform before they would treat him, as it may have offended the staff or patients. I was shocked when I heard this, however it never crossed my mind that it could be anything more than an isolated incident.

Whilst I don't agree with the war in Iraq, I fully support our boys out there doing our politicians dirty work. For anyone in a hospital to refuse to treat someone in uniform is absolutely disgusting and I for one would like to see them joining the dole queue.

:(
 
I have huge respect for the members of the armed forces, they risk their lives for us and get paid **** all!

Whether or not you agree with the reasons for going to war should be irrelevant, they're all just doing their job anyway. What if we were genuinely being attacked? I don't think those people would still feel the same.
 
Surely the same sort of scum, waste of life morons who attack the Fire service?

I would never attack/insult a member of the armed forces, they're doing their jobs. Doing a job I couldn't do.
 
if i walked around my local town back home in uniform i would get loads of weird looks.

I went into a petrol station in my greens uniform (the camo uniform) and the owner just glared at me as if i was scum :(
 
Totally agree, it's absolutely shameful. I'd stand a pint to any service person I met.
Don't know if this is true but I heard an army chap on the radio talking about this subject...he said most of the abuse and scowls didn't come from youths. They seemed more respectful than most. He said it was people in their late 20's and 30's that seemed to be the worst.
 
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if i walked around my local town back home in uniform i would get loads of weird looks.

I went into a petrol station in my greens uniform (the camo uniform) and the owner just glared at me as if i was scum :(

Christ, how did you handle that?! I wouldn't be able to resist asking them what the problem was.
 
I have great respect for the armed forces, they get sent out to do all the dirty work and risk their lives for all of us. The people who disrespect the armed forces are misinformed idiots with their own political agenda. I wonder what these people would say if we had a war closer to home or here.
 
Why should you support the troops, if you are against the war?

It's not their choice where or what they fight for. They risk paying the ultimate price to protect the interests of the government that has been elected.
 
Despite being a general liberal pacifist type, I do respect them for risking their lives in their job for the sake of others, something I doubt I could do. It's the politicians I take issue with really.

That said, I used to get thoroughly fed up with the amount of trouble the squaddies caused in the pub I used to work in. There was a barracks just down the road, and the way they behaved when they came in to town certainly didn't warrant any respect.
 
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