Quote:
Originally Posted by alecE
1. I am deeply opposed to the UK government's military involvements in Afghanistan and Iraq;
2. It does not follow though that I should denigrate the military personnel who are serving in those theatres.
3. The proper target for my criticism is the UK government, not individuals who run the risk of being maimed or killed.
4. Like it or not, armed forces are necessary. Sometimes politicians will mis-direct them. Criticise the government, support the military and work to bring them home, alive.
"...For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' 'Chuck him out, the brute!'
But it's 'Saviour of 'is country' when the guns begin to shoot..."
- Rudyard Kipling, 'Tommy'
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I agree broadly - but I think we should also acknowledge that sometimes some of our troops have done, and still do, despicable things. Their victims also deserve recognition; and I shall be thinking of them as well as the service personnel at 11:00 this morning (it's Remembrance Day in the UK).