Margaret Thatcher dies

[John Wright]

Oddly enough, my post just above (#55) shows that I do indeed know what the responsibilities of the armed forces are. I won't be joining the army/navy though, because unlike perhaps 80% of their contingent, I actually worked at school and got some qualifications which have spared me their fate.

Boilk, yes I saw your later response, I can't weigh that up with your previous statement but never mind, too much trouble trawling back on this thread.

As for the Belgrano, it's been argued relentlessly. The way I see it, being IN an exclusion zone means you will likely get attacked. Being outside an exclusion zone does not mean you become immune to attack, if you are at war and pose a risk to the enemy then surely you risk being attacked wherever (SAS and all that etc). I don't recall what, if any, 'agreements' were made between UK and Argentina during the conflict, in fact I don't think either of them declared war, so what that means well I don't know.

I didn't know academic qualifications excluded one from conscription, it might happen! :o)

[scottycelt]

You've got to be kidding, scotty! Where, if indeed anywhere, do your politics differ from the Tories?

(OK off-topic, but you did choose to mention it here ).

Well that is said by many Leftists about Labour and the Liberal Democrats too, S_A!

Anyone who is not a Marxist must inevitably be a "Tory" ... I'm not ... If there were such a thing as the Pragmatic Political Party I'd probably vote for that.

I've merely acknowledged some of Margaret Thatcher's widely-recognised achievements. Like many others.

[Beef Oven]

Oh,, and the falklands was a war that should never have been fought.

No-one likes wars ts, but when a fascist dictaorship decides to invade its neighbour, it is right to deal with it in the strongest way.

[Beef Oven]

Well that is said by many Leftists about Labour and the Liberal Democrats too, S_A!

Anyone who is not a Marxist must inevitably be a "Tory" ... I'm not ... If there were such a thing as the Pragmatic Political Party I'd probably vote for that.

I've merely acknowledged some of Margaret Thatcher's widely-recognised achievements. Like many others.

Thought about UKP Scotty?

[teamsaint]

No-one likes wars ts, but when a fascist dictaorship decides to invade its neighbour, it is right to deal with it in the strongest way.

I don't really think there is much point in discussing it, Beefy,(though at another time it might be worthwhile) It's something I feel strongly about, and feel moved to express. Other people think differently, and i won't change their minds.I think we need to see conflicts and the arms industry for what they are. Manufactured.
I agree that people who trample on other people's rights need dealing with firmly.

Edit: Sadly there are a few people who like wars. The people who gain power and money from them. I'll not bother spelling out the guilty groups, as it's all too obvious.

[MrGongGong]

No-one likes wars ts, but when a fascist dictaorship decides to invade its neighbour, it is right to deal with it in the strongest way.

I quite agree
so what happened in Lebanon then ?

Consistency ? my arse

and following on with the music theme ...........

[amateur51]

Boilk, yes I saw your later response, I can't weigh that up with your previous statement but never mind, too much trouble trawling back on this thread.

As for the Belgrano, it's been argued relentlessly. The way I see it, being IN an exclusion zone means you will likely get attacked. Being outside an exclusion zone does not mean you become immune to attack, if you are at war and pose a risk to the enemy then surely you risk being attacked wherever (SAS and all that etc). I don't recall what, if any, 'agreements' were made between UK and Argentina during the conflict, in fact I don't think either of them declared war, so what that means well I don't know.

I didn't know academic qualifications excluded one from conscription, it might happen! :o)

What about moving away in an exclusion zone which had recently been widened?

[MrGongGong]

Thought about UKP Scotty?

I have bad dreams sometimes but they usually involve Elgar Oratorios

[Beef Oven]

I quite agree
so what happened in Lebanon then ?

Consistency ? my arse

I agree. I did not invade the Lebanon. What's this 'consistency' issue you have?

[Beef Oven]

I have bad dreams sometimes but they usually involve Elgar Oratorios

It's all that cheese you eat too close to bed time

[MrGongGong]

I agree. I did not invade the Lebanon. What's this 'consistency' issue you have?

The Uk (and others) like to bang on about "democracy" and standing up to tyranny
but it only seems to apply when it suits us........ If the UK could sell arms to
North Korea they would overnight become a "friend" ...... the UK allows countries like
Israel to do what it likes including invading other countries without expressing any complaint
it's inconsistent and morally bankrupt ........ what about the "self determination" of the people
of Diego Garcia etc etc ..........

[Mary Chambers]

Can anyone explain, I wonder, why Thatcher is to have some special kind of funeral? I genuinely can't see why she should be treated any differently from any other PM, and I'm pretty sure they mostly just have fairly ordinary funerals. I suppose it might be because she was the first woman PM - not really a very good reason, but somehow I don't think it's that.

I haven't read all of this thread, so apologies if anyone has brought this up already.



.

[MrGongGong]

It's all that cheese you eat too close to bed time

Isn't it great though that the EU supports all those small scale cheesemakers
blessed they are indeed

[EdgeleyRob]

No tears will be shed by me,party time.

May she rust in peace (geddit ?).

[Beef Oven]

I don't really think there is much point in discussing it, Beefy,(though at another time it might be worthwhile) It's something I feel strongly about, and feel moved to express. Other people think differently, and i won't change their minds.I think we need to see conflicts and the arms industry for what they are. Manufactured.
I agree that people who trample on other people's rights need dealing with firmly.

Edit: Sadly there are a few people who like wars. The people who gain power and money from them. I'll not bother spelling out the guilty groups, as it's all too obvious.

Yes, I agree with you. Just got to reconcile that with what's right when a fascist dictator walks into your sovereign territory. As you say, a discussion maybe for another time.