President Blair to Visit Wounded Troops

[FJJP]

Naaagh! I was just having a dream, but then...

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=2458732005

On the other hand...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/21/AR2005122100874.html

Says it all, really - Blair and his cronies couldn't give a stuff about our Forces.

[jayteeto]

In the USA, people are proud of their forces and proud to serve. A few years ago, I visited SeaWorld Orlando and went to buy a ticket at the kiosk. As the credit card came out, the girl spotted my ID and was delighted to tell me that military, including UK got in for free. I was asked to wear a 'necklace' type ID stating I was military. During the day it got embarrassing as people came up and shook my hand, full of enthusiasm. When they heard I was a Brit, they were delighted, thanking me personally for our forces support of the US.
Imagine that over here, say for instance at Alton Towers. You would probably get your head kicked in by some idiot. Tony knows that the forces are not 'trendy' when they are in hospital (because of him), but he likes sitting in tanks :yuk:

[vecvechookattack]

Thats true. I think we have all had experience of the USA and the way they treat both serving and ex servicemen. I was in Disney some years ago and the lady at the main gate asked if I was a member of the services...I replied that I was but not the US..but the UK. That doesn't matter Sir, heres yr 10% discount...cool.

Mind you. To expect Mr Blair to visit 4000 servicemen is a bit much. He visiyted the lad n Lasses prior to Xmas, what more do you want? Would you like him to visit yr base more often? What would you like him to do? Do you think Mr Cameron-Blair would act any differently?

[JessTheDog]

Hmm...I can picture the Dear leader sacrificing his Christmas holiday in the sun (subsidised by the taxpayer) to hand out pressies at Selly Oak hospital.

Perhaps not. The words "Blair" and "selflessness" are at opposite ends of the spectrum. His missus would show up if there was money in it.

There is a serious point to this gripe. The Prime Minister has a duty of care to those who risk their lives for their country. Blair is grossly negligent in his "who gives a t0ss" attitude to the wounded.

[tablet_eraser]

While noting the gist of the Scotsman article, I don't think we should be too hasty to take lessons from Alex Salmond.

In his concept of a socialist Scottish Republic he would cut defence spending to the point where Scotland would in any case be totally dependant upon the rest of Britain. At the same time, he'd restore the wasteful Arms Plot in order to preserve a few (tiny) Scottish regiments.

AND he was the only MP blacklisted by the RAF. He was permanently banned from RAF Buchan when, at a civic reception, he announced that he hated the RAF because of the number of English people in it, and that he would get rid of the stn if he came to power.

He's not a friend of defence at all, I'm afraid.

[Maple 01]

Ah, Alex Salmond, two-faced racist cnut (as our friends on ARRSE might say) pushed to get the 'English' Airforce out of Buchan, then when the MoD announced it was to shut (OK, it's a RRH,. population 3 and a daschund called Colin) did a 180 degree about-face and demanded it stayed open to preserve Scottish jobs

[Radoper]

Just Read Salmonds comments about Blair in the Scotsman and agree with them totally, I think that his attitude towards the wounded is unbeleivable when compared to George W's .. cant fault Dubya on that count.

Seems like a the last couple of posts are just an excuse to have a blast at Alex Salmond. I know people who live in his constituency and he seems to be an excellent MP who has helped a lot of local people, to slate him for standing up for issues that affect his area seems harsh .. wouldnt any MP do the same ?? .. And as for this alleged Incident where he said he hates the RAF because of all the English in it .. Proof Please .. urban Myth ??

I just spoke to an ex colleague who was at Buchan for 4 years and he has never heard of it !!

Can we please stick to the topic ??

[SirPeterHardingsLovechild]

A couple of weeks ago there was a discussion on Radio 5 about how the TA are having recruiting problems.

One chap on the phone in, had been injured in Iraq. He was medevac'd to Cyprus with spinal injuries and then back home.

He found himself in outpatients in a UK hospital, and was asked to change out of his uniform in case it offended anyone.

[Radoper]

Thats is both disgusting and typical of this Goverment's real attitude towards Servicemen amd women. I find it interesting that Tony hasnt gone to see any of the casualties of the results of his actions .. but he made sure that he went to Ken Bigley's funeral.

I left in 2001 and was glad to go as I no longer felt that the Forces were valued by the Goverment, now it seems that elements of the General Population are following suit.

Sincerely hope that the TA who was asked to change out of his uniform refused.

[MarkD]

SPHL

which hospital?

[Onan the Clumsy]

In the USA, people are proud of their forces and proud to serve. I used to think that and then I started to hear stories of the woeful underfunding of the VA system and that a large percentage of the homeless population are veterans, some of whom saw perhaps a little too much combat, either physically or mentally. Now I am not so sure.

[bwfg3]

To be honest, what makes me REALLY mad,is any politco, of any persuasion trying to make capital out of the misfortune of others. I was in 3 para in 1982. I missed the Falklands war, but it made me sick to see ministers at the bedside of the wounded, press on hand for the money shot in the mirror. HOWEVER, if said ministers had visited without the press, my opinion would be 180 degrees the other way. I do hope that senior ministers/ opposition MP's have paid visits to the sick/injured without publicity, but being a cynical git, I doubt it has happened.

God bless all in harms way in the New Year. Even you T'wey.;)

[Maple 01]

Radoper,
My comments on the SNP's leader are entirely relevant to the topic - If someone wants to wheel him out as some kind of moral spokesmen on defence issues let's examine his record - Your mate with four years at Buchan perhaps didn't get out much - any other Buchanites care to comment on his previous 'support?' Especially his (and his party's) views on the non-Scottish members of HM Forces stationed there?

I could round-up half a dozen people that would tell a different story to your friend without trying - perks of hanging around CRCs I suppose

[Radoper]

Maple,

The topic was about Blair not visiting our injured Servicemen and Women, your post was about (alleged) comments made by Mr Salmond about RAF Buchan .. (see Relevant in the Dictionary) you never commented on his quote from the Scotsman .. and using a term "Racist Cnut" is a bit much isnt it ?? .. I notice you (still) provide no proof for your comments either .. the lad I knew had never heard that story. You have used this thread to rant about Mr Salmond, if you dont agree with his poilitics thats fine, I dont agree with them either !! .. But the man is an excellent local MP (I live close to his area but not in it) who goes out of his way to help people in his area (and a lot of them have moved in from outside Scotland).

As an ex TG9 AATC I am however confused .. not many TG9 AATC's end up at Buchan .. how did you manage it ??

Oh and one other thing .. just as it is "relevant" to the thread .. what do you think of Blair not visiting the wounded ??

[Maple 01]

As I was never TG9 I can't help your confusion Radoper, when I joined PPRuNe I was crossing over to the dark side as a civi but for various reasons it didn't happen, and I can't change my profile, thanks for your interest, however. According to the 50001D 'Tac int cells are established at CRCs as required' - or something......;) which might give you a hint what and where I’ve been

If someone wants to give 'Auslanders Raus!' Samlond as a credible defence supporter perhaps they should look at this track record first - he made his dislike of the RAF at Buchan well known, it met his narrow nationalist agenda and appealed to the denser 'Braveheart' Scots. "Racist Cnut" unjustified? No, just accurate description. He then played the patriot when the plug was pulled on the dreadful dump – was he worried about loss of C&R capability? No, Scottish jobs – he made that very plain.

I wasn't aware that I had to provide legally acceptable proof to you, no more than I expect you to 'prove' your mate never had a problem there. But then perhaps anecdotal evidence from several sources might outweigh one anecdotal source from a 'happy camper'

As for relevance - if you can't see the importance of understanding the background of a commentator to check for bias then I guess you would happily put Bruce Kent forward as a learned expert on Trident targeting if some of his statements happened to support your point of view.

just as it is "relevant" to the thread

Didn't realise you'd been elected forum Police - threads go off track a little - live with it.

what do you think of Blair not visiting the wounded ??

Previously given on the other thread - damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t - either he's ignoring the problem or he's just engaged in a PR stunt, so he can't win can he?

[JessTheDog]

I suspect that Bliar and his advisors see far greater potential for PR damage in visiting the wounded than in posing in front of a MoD central casting crowd specifically because the policy of HMG (as in the US) is to minimise any mention of casualties and suffering, for example by telling lies about the unavailability of casualty data. There is also the chance that the wounded - or their families - may not take kindly to a visit by the man who sent them into action.

Any photo of Bliar next to a war casualty would be dynamite in newspaper terms, hence the reluctance of the Great Helmsman to witness the cost of the "blood price". It is also possible, albeit unlikely, that he may feel some shame.

[Wyler]

Three tours at Buchan and everything said about Salmond is correct. Refused to set foot on the camp and referred to us as an English Occupying Force. Then got himself on the tele outside the main gate beating his chest when the closure was announced. Typical politician, he is not unique. He was indeed a well liked and active MP for his constituency but still could get his whole party in a single decker bus.
Not racist, just a knob trying anything and everything to get votes. Ain't democracy great.....not.

[bad livin']

Jayteeto, I had a similar experience a few years ago when back visiting friends I went to uni with in the Seattle area. I was invited along to a great bash called the "Foofaraw", which was held by the Olympia, WA city govt and hosted by the local yacht club. Basically they invite as many of the local service population as they can to come to a small island in the Puget Sound, transport them there, then get them boozed up and stuffed on the biggest barbeque I have ever seen - all to thank the servicemen and women for their dedication to their nation. Someone slapped a sticker on me (I was badgeless) with "my service" on it and I could not empty the beers fast enough, much as you describe. If only those that we have abroad now could be lauded as the US do their own. We should show our pride and thanks to them rather more openly than we do.

Tony going by to say hello and wring his hands a bit is all well and good, but lets see the public make these guys and gals out there know they are thought of as what they are - professional, dedicated, and special.

[Gainesy]

He was permanently banned from RAF Buchan

Lucky Sod. :(