The armed forces.

[Zefan]

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?

 

[Zefan]

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.

 

[Zefan]

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.

 

[Zefan]

Yes it is. Resign.

It's not quite that easy.

 

[Zefan]

There is even a certain poster on here who has said on more than one occaision he supports British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan getting attacked, so I guess it is quite common

Could you please let me know who this is?

 

[Zefan]

The Iraqi's have every right to attack soldiers occupying there country. As long as they don't kill civilians on either side.

The government isn't ordering those attacks, therefore they aren't fighting for their country - they're fighting against it.

 

[Zefan]

I'd say that depends on the % of the Iraqi population wants. If a high ratio want the US & UK soldiers out, those Iraqi's are freedom fighters. If only the minority want them out, then they're terrorists.

The population voted for a government that makes the decisions.

Do you class the French Resistance as freedom fighters or terrorists?

I'd class them as freedom fighters, however that country was given no political choice.

 

[Zefan]

Why would it be planned?

stable country would be able to support a better infrastructure more quickly, to sign more contracts for building etc, and be cheaper for the company as they wouldn't have to pay so much for people to risk their lives to build stuff out there, and not cost billions a year in military costs.

Well it would make sense, it'd give us an excuse to stay there longer and thus have more control of what goes on. I don't think it's true though.

 

[Zefan]

one of the pro reason's is it costs companies and the military money?

It's an industry like any other, it isn't all cost.

This argument is irrelevant however, as the brunt of the point is that soldiers are not politicians. They put their lives in the hands of our country's leaders to protect what they believe to be our best interests. There is simply no excuse for not supporting loyalty such as this.

 

[Zefan]

What really sickens me, is when I see inside videos of people attacking insurgents/the enemy and hearing the joy that the soldiers get...

I understand that there are some sick individuals within the forces as they're bound to slip through, however many are simply glad to be using their training. The only times I've seen soldiers soldiers being joyous in situations like that during battle is when they get the sheer relief that they're no longer pinned down by gunfire.

 

[Zefan]

snip

Do you seriously believe that the majority of soldiers are inhuman? I know plenty of people who were in the forces and every single one of them is as stable, caring and sensitive to human life as anyone that hasn't undergone military training.

 

[Zefan]

Nowt to do with war, but yes I've seen employees doing stuff that was illegal, and instructed to do so by the managers (which they know also)

It's pretty obvious that he's referring to decent human beings, not describing every single person on the planet.

 

[Zefan]

If all goes to plan I'll soon be stripped of my instincts and become inhuman. I'll let you know how that goes.

 

[Zefan]

So tell me, who are the people who have the *real knowledge* on this? The therapists of the soldiers? The policy makers in london? The military commanders?

The soldiers, they are the only ones who know exactly what they've been through.