Swinging Monkey - So when I was on exercise in the 1990's and we stopped in the afternoon so we could go and vote that wasn't exercising our democratic rights then? What utter nonsence to suggest in any way that the members of the Armed Forces are not allowed democratic rights. Despite what you may think this isn't some dictatorship - the Armed Forces report to Parliament and then to the Queen . Did you think it happened in any other way?
People have given blood to defend the rights we have - if this guy chooses to question the reason for his request to go to Iraq well then good for him. He might be right and he might well be wrong but god help us if we ever end up with a society who's members cannot question the rights and wrongs of what it does.
Please be very aware that whilst ordered to do any order you are also governed by Act's of Parliament - be under no illusion
that being in the military doesn't in any way deminish the publics
right to examine your actions - a check of any democracy.
Nutcracker - Regarding not predicting the insurgency - do you really think that the guys in Washington who wargamed this war really wanted to say to the President that it could all go for a ball
of chalk ? The insurgency certainly wasn't predicted because there wasn't any under Saddam . Al Qaeda wasn't tollerated under his regime - would he really let any group operate in his country that could be a direct threat to his Presidency
The American's clearly showed what they wanted when they protected the Oil Ministry and precious little else.
Last edited by RileyDove; 12th Dec 2005 at 22:52.