Listen mate..I was, and still am in no way pro Argentinian regarding the Falklands, and firmly believe that it should be down to the population of these islands to decide for themselves..The forces who were down there were very small in number, and had no chance of repelling the invasion, despite their best efforts...However, it has since became clear that there was plenty of intelligence that the invasion was a possibility, and if we had put a couple of ships/subs in the area at the time, along with a few more ground force troops, I'm quite sure that much of the bloodshed could have been prevented.. The bottom line for me is, is that our forces who reclaimed the islands were absolute heroes, but I hate the fact that Thatcher took most of the credit for it..
What an immature response... "You don't agree with me so you give our fan base a bad name"... It's ironic you talk of "sheep mentality", but don't question the timing of conflicts (and withdrawals from conflicts) in history when a government was becoming increasingly unpopular, or indeed wanted some popularity. Oldest trick in the political book, for as long as armies have existed, is to serve up some nationalistic pride by smearing a less technologically advanced nation. There was certainly more that could have been done to prevent the conflict in the first place, especially as some of her actions actually looked like enticing the conflict rather than trying to prevent it. I think it's entirely fair for questions to be asked of that. As for Fu King... Soldier's obey, as Indestructible said, your objection is pointless. Their feelings would have been a mix of the feelings that will have been felt in every previous (and every future) war. Namely; "Let's go kill some s***"... "Let's go defend our country"... "God I hope I don't die, I only joined because there's no other jobs (Maggie's fault btw)"... etc etc... What form of politicised bulls*** army do you think we have, where the rank and file soldiers have any say in what happens or where they go? What level of judgement should we reserve for their moral inclinations? Answer is none, until you get up the chain of command, and to them war is essentially profitable and necessary.
Thatch had her faults, but I doubt she'd have let a war start just to boost her credentials. The problem was the lack of a military presence there and the fact that it is a bloody long way away. Reinforcing it would have taken months and no-one really expected the Argies would invade. Our military did us proud taking them bak though
Im a Thatcherite and possibly the only one in the north of england! I have had countless arguements over the years defending her. She was despised by the vast majority up here but I for one think she was the greatest prime minister we possibly ever had.
I think that's a bit naive to say of any politician Sid, especially Thatcher, considering the way she conducted herself in office. Nearly every speech included self-absorbed rhetoric, to the point I believe she was a borderline megalomaniac. To that end the media don't help, because they constantly pander to her (even now) as the only female prime minister and thus make sure to portray her in the best light... What does it matter she's a woman? It irks me that David Cameron was asked by a female reporter "who's coming through who'll be the next Thatcher?"... Why does that person have to be a woman? Another case of positive discrimination. On the latter topic, our soldiers really have only ever done a good job in recent history. Whether they were morally right to be doing the job isn't anything to do with them, just the fact that they get what is required of them done to a world's best standard. Can't say much more about them.
, nobody i served with said i m looking forward to it , but our training took over when the time arrived, thats why we are regarded the best in the world. The most talk always comes from the bar room heroes,
i would also add a year of service , could be the making of many of todays youngsters, the lack of most things to do with being a decent person is being eroded at an alarming rate.
I don't think it's naive, mate. I genuinely think most politicians, other than the obvious nutters, take committing their armed forces to war very seriously indeed. Maybe you're being a bit cynical? Who knows? I agree that, on the whole, politicians are self-serving scumbags though.
all this talk from the bar room heroes about the conflict has stirred me into contacting some old mates, should have a get together later this month,. i will say some of the remarks on here about her passing is over the top to say the least, and in some cases if you look at the age of the posters, how can they comment on the woman,, all this hate,and bile its a illness in its self.i know through losing mates that to us at sea she gave us fortitude and a bulldog spirit if you want. More backbone than some of these boys in mens trousers we have in parliment right now, most of them would be giving it away for a back hander.
I'm afraid, being an archaeologist and historian, I have to be cynical! Seeing the same events happening over and over again in the historical makes you a little paranoid (I mean I only go as far back as the Spartiates kicking lumps out of their bordering surf-neighbours on a yearly basis, but if I could be bothered getting excited about Egyptian civilisation I'd find the same thing... Only with more Milfs... Certainly looking through history up to modern day has the same story. Hitler's Germany was bred on reports of beating smaller bordering nations)... Nothing like a war against someone beatable for a bit of nationalistic fervor... Unfortunately it's a bit lost on Sport. I mean, we could play the mighty San Marino til the cows came home and netted a hattrick a piece, making it 513-0, and we still wouldn't care! Of course, you could very well be right and Maggie might be getting stick from me to which she isn't entitled, but I'd rather be cynical. Especially with a derby round the corner!!!
With every passing comment you make her sound more and more like a dictator. Today's youth could probably do without being f***** by Conservative politics and Labour failings, just like the 70's youth
telling you how it was from my angle, nobody during the conflict whom i was with doubted the goverment in the slightest , afterwards you can look back and say ,well this should not have happened the way it did, it was good feeling steaming home i can tell you
Not many soldiers will openly question a conflict or government though will they? They're trained to be nationalistic, and may even have joined up with that in mind.
Not far from the truth there in my opinion..Anyone in her cabinet who opposed her was soon sent packing...She never appeared to take any notice of constructive criticism...Whilst crime rates soared under her tenure, the police were being used to suppress domestic opposition and smash protest...Yes dictator is not a bad description of that psychotic bitch..
No no you're right... It's obviously incredibly rational and logical to have such an intimate attachment to a bit of land you were born on... The whole time I was in the womb I'm sure I was saying "If this b**** doesn't drop me over England, I'll be livid"... They definitely don't condition nationalism in education... I mean, what could a government possibly gain from people thinking "this land is f***ing brilliant... way better than those hotter pieces of land with topless girls on over there"?... So yeah, pretty sure nationalism is an inherent by-product of the breast-milk... Thank god somebody drew those lines on the world map, otherwise this place would go to hell...
