They've blown it now...

[Craig.]

To be honest, as has been mentioned elsewhere, the MOD has effectively been bankrupted since we decided to do both Iraq and A-ghan. I think the carriers may just be the things that go. The penny pinchers will argue we don't need carriers - and use the Tornado/soon to be Typhoon det at Mount Pleasant.

I wonder how the Argentine press will report the story?

They'll be the same penny pinchers who said the Typhoon wouldn't need a gun right?


The Argentinians are probably getting ready to buy some of our ships in preparation for another invasion.

They dont need to buy ships, without ours, they can cross over in rubber freakin dinghys and still mount a sucessful invasion

[ATI_7500]

"Cutting back"?

Sounds too familiar to me.

But it doesn't affect me in any way....so why should I care?

[dcunning30]

The french already have carriers Dcun. So your argument is kind of curious.

Don't read anything into my question.

[C]

And also, just because a politician once served as a Jr. Grade officer in a branch of the military, that also doesn't automagically bestow upon that person the credibility of military matters that is often bestowed upon them.

I made the comment you quoted more in reference to the general attitude of politicians to the military. For example, the constant dribble of "sound-bytes" stating how much money they're spending on accommodation, when we still have people living in USAF 1950's prefabs which were meant to be torn down in the 70's, when you wait days, week or months for simple and emergency repairs to property (you aren't permitted to do them yourself), and when the Prime Minister says the armed forces can have "whatever they want" in Afghanistan (helicopters, heavy weapons etc). When people get stuck overseas at Christmas having been away for 4 or 6 months because the civvy charter aircraft (to replace the RAF ones which are massively overstretched serving Iraq and A'ghan) goes U/S...

Oh, they did let us buy one C-17 though...

What I'm getting at, is they do not have the first hand experiences of the military ethos, the discipline, and the fact that people in the forces sacrifice a hell of a lot for what is very little reward in todays environment.

[Woodlouse2002]

"Cutting back"?

Sounds too familiar to me.

But it doesn't affect me in any way....so why should I care?

According to Wikipedia the Royal Navy, by gross tonnage, is the second largest navy in the world. Would be a pity to see it torn to pieces.

[Woodlouse2002]

The french already have carriers Dcun. So your argument is kind of curious.

Don't read anything into my question.

[Craig.]

And also, just because a politician once served as a Jr. Grade officer in a branch of the military, that also doesn't automagically bestow upon that person the credibility of military matters that is often bestowed upon them.

I made the comment you quoted more in reference to the general attitude of politicians to the military. For example, the constant dribble of "sound-bytes" stating how much money they're spending on accommodation, when we still have people living in USAF 1950's prefabs which were meant to be torn down in the 70's, when you wait days, week or months for simple and emergency repairs to property (you aren't permitted to do them yourself), and when the Prime Minister says the armed forces can have "whatever they want" in Afghanistan (helicopters, heavy weapons etc). When people get stuck overseas at Christmas having been away for 4 or 6 months because the civvy charter aircraft (to replace the RAF ones which are massively overstretched serving Iraq and A'ghan) goes U/S...

Oh, they did let us buy one C-17 though...

What I'm getting at, is they do not have the first hand experiences of the military ethos, the discipline, and the fact that people in the forces sacrifice a hell of a lot for what is very little reward in todays environment.

ah good old military housing.
13 years of white walls, with brown patches where you couldn't fix the leaks, and of course the estate superintendant was some lazy git who didn't rush to fix it. winters that were freezing because the army didn't believe in double glazing.
Of course I was mortified to see that my old house in Wallop had been torn down and replaced with what could only be classed as a mansion by army standards. gits

[ATI_7500]

Would be a pity to see it torn to pieces.

WW2 anyone?


*Hides in tank*

[Woodlouse2002]

*Hides in tank*

*Drops frigate on tank*

Game, set and match.

[ATI_7500]

*Drops frigate on tank*

Game, set and match.

LoL!  ;D

Fair enough.

[flymo]

[quote]It's expensive to have a military. The US has been cutting bases all over the place. Leaving 10's of thousands out of work in the civilian sector.

[ATI_7500]

but they are probably just trying to save cash so they can give more illegal imigrants benefit!

I've never seen more xenophobia than in Great Britain. The public concern about new waves of immigrants ever since Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU was absolutely frightening.

[Woodlouse2002]

but they are probably just trying to save cash so they can give more illegal imigrants benefit!

I've never seen more xenophobia than in Great Britain. The public concern about new waves of immigrants ever since Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU was absolutely frightening.

The thing is that only the xenophobics make a fuss about it. I don't think the majority of Britain is that right wing yet.

[alrot]

Maybe we are reaching a time of peace ,there's no need too many weapons,The cold ward ended ,China its friend of everyone, there are some nuts still testing nuclear devices, but soon they going to have to quit this idea ,because their own population its hungry to death, We all have in common the same  invisible enemy (the worth)Terrorism ....


Alex

[C]

Would be a pity to see it torn to pieces.

WW2 anyone?


*Hides in tank*

Am I allowed to mention the Graf Spee*... After that and the Bismark the German Navy's big ships were sent in to hiding (although, to counter that, no one can take anything away from the enormous contribution and valiance of the U-Boat force)...

*hides in aeroplane at very high altitude...