malcolm kendall smith is free...ish!
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Originally Posted by corsair
What always puzzled me is this. Why didn't he simply resign his commission? He was an Officer and Doctor. No one conscripted him. He could leave anytime. Obviously he wanted to make his political point. No doubt when he is fully released he will be popping up on all sort of talkshows.
As for the TV shows - you are probably right. And no doubt we get some more prongs on here pontificating how unjust he was treated.
Kendall Smith stood up for what he believed as a principle, but in doing so allowed his potential patients on all sides to be deprived of medical care. He would only have been armed in accordance to the Geneva Convention, in that arms are only carried for the protection of patients.
Numerous medical and nursing staff with HM Forces have performed acts of bravery over the years, despite many I suspect having grave reservations about the conflict that they were engaged in.
Whether the present conflicts that HM Forces are involved in are legal or not, should matter very little to the medical services. They are there to treat any and all victims of a conflict, without fear or favour. If you choose to undertake the obligations of the uniform and as a doctor, then you accept the tasks presented to you. Kendall Smith has also as I have previously stated broken the bond between the medical staff and the troops, in that we will do our best to get you well and send you home to your familly, and you will protect us whilst we undertake that task. i would suggest that this " gentleman" tries to volunteer for a medical charity such as MSF or Merlin, in order to redeem in my opinion, his "honour"
Political posturing in this situation has no relevance, his and anybody else in the medical services is to render help to his fellow man. Another medical officer will have been and is probably still on deployment in Kendall Smith's place, they too may have had reservation about the legalities of these conflicts, but have still gone to look after and care for the ill and injured.
Numerous medical and nursing staff with HM Forces have performed acts of bravery over the years, despite many I suspect having grave reservations about the conflict that they were engaged in.
Whether the present conflicts that HM Forces are involved in are legal or not, should matter very little to the medical services. They are there to treat any and all victims of a conflict, without fear or favour. If you choose to undertake the obligations of the uniform and as a doctor, then you accept the tasks presented to you. Kendall Smith has also as I have previously stated broken the bond between the medical staff and the troops, in that we will do our best to get you well and send you home to your familly, and you will protect us whilst we undertake that task. i would suggest that this " gentleman" tries to volunteer for a medical charity such as MSF or Merlin, in order to redeem in my opinion, his "honour"
Political posturing in this situation has no relevance, his and anybody else in the medical services is to render help to his fellow man. Another medical officer will have been and is probably still on deployment in Kendall Smith's place, they too may have had reservation about the legalities of these conflicts, but have still gone to look after and care for the ill and injured.
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Originally Posted by South Bound
This is not a civvy-in-uniform, it is a trained human being interpreting orders in an intelligent fashion and adapting to the situation.
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Originally Posted by South Bound
I do hope you're not suggesting that the other Services are inflexible, unintelligent untrained apes...
They might get upset about that...
They might get upset about that...
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Totally concur with Air pig.....This weevil should have been hung for this crime. I dont care what his political agenda is but to turn your back on your comrades is unforgiveable.
I have to apologise, in the term medical services I include without reservation, from aircrew of all grades and ranks who get the patient to the medical units, down to front line troops who render aid to whoever requires it. The young Paratroop Regiment combat medic who recently gave aid to a member of US Forces in Hellmand Provence dispayed a maturity and bravery beyond his years, acting whilst his comradres put down covering fire to protect him. His patient, as he became now no longer a combatant was evacuated to safety and survived, due to his actions. This young medic reportadily had basic skills and choose to act. One hopes that his actions are recognised
KS may have had principles he believed in, thankfully others have principles in the medical world "that you do the sick no harm." By not being available he allowed others to stand in line for him, and the ill and injured where cared for. I would suggest that this "gentleman" reads Rescue under Fire, the story of dust off in Vietnam. the book graphically describes operations under fire with many acts of heroism.
I will now make no further comments on this subject except to say that all personnel involved in the rescue chain have my total and utter respect for being there and doing the job, at times above and beyond the call of duty.
I now hope KS will fade from view and memory, and I hope that he will one day reflect on his actions and undertake something to redeem his "honour" in the view of many from HM Forces.
KS may have had principles he believed in, thankfully others have principles in the medical world "that you do the sick no harm." By not being available he allowed others to stand in line for him, and the ill and injured where cared for. I would suggest that this "gentleman" reads Rescue under Fire, the story of dust off in Vietnam. the book graphically describes operations under fire with many acts of heroism.
I will now make no further comments on this subject except to say that all personnel involved in the rescue chain have my total and utter respect for being there and doing the job, at times above and beyond the call of duty.
I now hope KS will fade from view and memory, and I hope that he will one day reflect on his actions and undertake something to redeem his "honour" in the view of many from HM Forces.
Last edited by air pig; 30th Jun 2006 at 23:18.
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reflect on his actions and undertake something to redeem his "honour" in the view of many from HM Forces.
