It's not just the Americans. Christopher Booker in last Sundays Telegraph called them basically, scruffy, ill disciplined and a dreadful example of the British Military. I do not agree with any of the comments made either side of the Atlantic but the Americans have what we have totally lost, a pride in their flag and a pride in their Nation. How many people would stand for the National Anthem here? How many people fly their flag outside their home/business?
We like to poor scorn on the Americans for their love of their country but we could do with getting some of that back. I had an American friend come and stay over Christmas, he is Ex USAF and now a Doctor. he could not believe the changes here in 20 years, cost of living, standard of service etc. He actually used the word uncivilised.
I echo the comments that we should stop punching above our weight. We are not a major player anymore. Ok, we pitch up with teeth bared and hackles up but we rarely have more than a semi serviceable pee shooter to offer up.
Those kids, because that's what they are, are frightened and there is no question that they are acting under pressure when they are on the TV. Starting a fire fight would have been suicide. Add to that mainstream politicians saying we should just say sorry anyway and you are on a road to nowhere.
Professionalism? Yep, the Armed forces have that in bucketloads but that won't get you promoted. We have peace time (career) managers running a broken fighting force. I don't believe we can fix it.
No, what we have here is a breakdown of our nation. We no longer have pride in ourselves.
Finally, we have our own 3rd grade pundits. John Nichol, expert in F*ck all and billed as an ex RAF Pilot??????????
