Walking past picket line

[IcanthelpthewayIam]

The last time anyone fought for this country was in 1945.

actually was 14th of june 1982 if you want to be pedantic, the islands are part of this country, they are sovereign british soil, my point still stands though imho

[IWW Fellow Worker]

The last time anyone fought for this country was in 1945.

actually was 14th of june 1982 if you want to be pedantic, the islands are part of this country, they are sovereign british soil, my point still stands though imho

I wouldn't worry mate. The TA weren't in the Falklands, so the last time any Territorial fought for this country was in 1945.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

The last time anyone fought for this country was in 1945.

actually was 14th of june 1982 if you want to be pedantic, the islands are part of this country, they are sovereign british soil, my point still stands though imho

I wouldn't worry mate. The TA weren't in the Falklands, so the last time any Territorial fought for this country was in 1945.

I suppose it depends on your view but there were individual TA Soldiers in the province during the "Troubles". I Know whether that counts or not depends on your political view, but still being in the TA and prepared to serve still means you have certain restrictions placed on you.

BTW as an ex-forces member I support our troops in Afghanistan and when they were in Iraq - however I don't support the Wars themselves. We should be out as soon as possible.

[IcanthelpthewayIam]

The last time anyone fought for this country was in 1945.

actually was 14th of june 1982 if you want to be pedantic, the islands are part of this country, they are sovereign british soil, my point still stands though imho

I wouldn't worry mate. The TA weren't in the Falklands, so the last time any Territorial fought for this country was in 1945.

you said anyone, not just TA and just as a side point , one reason the TA were not used in the falklands was that every single TA soldier would have had to been mobilised under a royal perogative, not just the ones that could have been helpful, so i take it you disagree with a serving soldier from crossing the line? what should they do then? getting back to my point

[IWW Fellow Worker]

i take it you disagree with a serving soldier from crossing the line? what should they do then? getting back to my point

Stop being a mercenary for the ruling class would be a start. That way, no one has to cross a picket line.

[IWW Fellow Worker]

[BTW as an ex-forces member I support our troops in Afghanistan and when they were in Iraq - however I don't support the Wars themselves. We should be out as soon as possible.

Absolutely spot on! All that stuff Brown comes out with every time some poor lad who most likely couldn't find employment at home comes back in a coffin about 'serving our country' and 'being there to make Britain safer from terrorism' is rubbish. The best way to support the troops is to bring them all home, alive.

[andy2007]

i take it you disagree with a serving soldier from crossing the line? what should they do then? getting back to my point

Stop being a mercenary for the ruling class would be a start. That way, no one has to cross a picket line.

They aren't Mercenaries. Mercenaries, are people who fight for whoever pays them, regardless of the cause:
mercenary

mercenary [múrss'nəri]
n (plural mercenaries)
1. soldier fighting for money: a professional soldier paid to fight for an army other than that of his or her country
2. somebody interested only in profit: an employee who works only for personal gain


adj
1. motivated only by money: motivated solely by a desire for money
2. relating to mercenaries: paid to serve in a foreign army, or consisting of mercenaries


[14th century. Directly or via French mercenaire < Latin mercen(n)arius 'hireling' < merces 'wages']


-mercenarily, , adv
-mercenariness, , n
Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


On the subject of them being forced to cross the lines: They have a moral obligation to Britain, which overrides any other loyalties (including Unions). If they are up-front about it, and are willing to face the wrath, that they will probably face from some of the Hard Liners. Then they have my deepest respect. [ducks, ready for backlash!].

They''re willing to risk their lives, to fight whatever cause the British Government chooses. Which could potentially be the defence of Britain from attack. I can't predict the future, and neither can you. So isn't it wise to have the capability to defend our Country, if required?

Now, there are others. Who CHOOSE to cross the lines. And they're a VERY different matter. And I for one, don't appreciate people comparing the two.

[janitor]

I agree if they had the guts to walk or drive through the line, they would have my respect, instead they chose to be driven through in the back of transits, by managers and try to sneak in through the back office back doors, forgetting you can see into the car park from both sides, or having managers dropping vans out to their homes . Cowards the lot of em.

[IWW Fellow Worker]

I agree if they had the guts to walk or drive through the line, they would have my respect, instead they chose to be driven through in the back of transits, by managers and try to sneak in through the back office back doors, forgetting you can see into the car park from both sides, or having managers dropping vans out to their homes . Cowards the lot of em.

So true!

[IWW Fellow Worker]

They''re willing to risk their lives, to fight whatever cause the British Government chooses.

Yes, just as they did at Tonypandy in 1910, Featherstone in 1893, Peterloo in 1819, Dublin in 1913, Liverpool in 1911, Glasgow in 1919, Derry in 1972. All causes the British Government was very concerned with. I could mention parts of the British Empire where the British Army also served with distinction, but those I've mentioned should be enough to be going on with. There were professional soldiers and not some reluctant bunch of conscripts there because the alternative was a spell in clink, or ordinary citizens who found themselves in the front line against a really dangerous enemy such as the Nazis.

[andy2007]

That's a problem with the Government, NOT those who serve in the Forces, including the TA.

Yes, they're professional Soldiers. As far as I know, we haven't had Conscripts for decades. But I seriously doubt that anyone joins up, to fight their own. But when you sign up. You don't get to choose to only fight if someone tries to invade Britain. You have to fight whoever, wherever, and whenever, the British Government tells them to.

[Fred B]

That's a problem with the Government, NOT those who serve in the Forces, including the TA.

Yes, they're professional Soldiers. As far as I know, we haven't had Conscripts for decades. But I seriously doubt that anyone joins up, to fight their own. But when you sign up. You don't get to choose to only fight if someone tries to invade Britain. You have to fight whoever, wherever, and whenever, the British Government tells them to.

Then maybe the British Government should ask the British public instead of asking the corporations that really control Government. As for the TA http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8300530.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; it looks like we wont have a TA in five years anyway.

The British Government won't do that! Imagine the millions who oppose these wars having a vote? Only the people who wrap themselves in the butchers apron would vote for it, just as long as they don't have to go of course.
As for the TA, the whole idea behind its foundation was as a Territorial Force to oppose invasion. The mass murderers who sent men to die in Flanders and France soon need them over there, no doubt supported by cheer leaders of which there seem to be one or two on here, just as long as they didn't have to go, of course.

[BELIAL]

I saw a picture today. Fresh faced 20yr old ,you know ,hope ,expectation ,glint of mischief and promise in his eyes,things I might be stuff I could do.

Poor little f****r came back in a body bag ,torso and limbs a bit disconnected . Made me think a bit

[Fred B]

I saw a picture today. Fresh faced 20yr old ,you know ,hope ,expectation ,glint of mischief and promise in his eyes,things I might be stuff I could do.

Poor little f****r came back in a body bag ,torso and limbs a bit disconnected . Made me think a bit

It makes me think the politicians and cheerleaders such as are found on here should go and fight if they think there should be wars.

[andy2007]

I saw a picture today. Fresh faced 20yr old ,you know ,hope ,expectation ,glint of mischief and promise in his eyes,things I might be stuff I could do.

Poor little f****r came back in a body bag ,torso and limbs a bit disconnected . Made me think a bit

It makes me think the politicians and cheerleaders such as are found on here should go and fight if they think there should be wars.

Exactly! There was a time, that the King (or in our case Prime Minister) would lead the charge. So why don't we insist that the PM fights on the Front Line?
That'd make him think twice about all these Wars!

It's one thing deciding to send people to fight in another Country. It's quite another, to put your life on the line for your Country. Anyone think he'd have the guts to do that?
I don't!