Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 5:23 am Post subject: 40 years?
The incoming head of the army General Sir David Richards warns us us we may be in Afghanistan for 40 years. Given the time we've already spent there, that's longer than the Children of Israel spent in the wilderness.
The only consolation is, Gordon, that I cannot think of many instances when a General was last right. Possibly it would mean going back to Wellington.
They are all lining up to get their grubby little hands on as much funding as possible when the crunch comes (which is nigh).
There is the Navy hanging on like grim death to the concept of two giant aircraft carriers when every schoolboy knows (to quote Macaulay) that there won't be any aircraft or pilots for them. The latest frigates or destroyers are rushing around looking exceedingly busy fitted with non-existent weapon systems; for what? They can only proudly wave around a few hundredweights of cocaine after 6 months at sea in the Caribbean. OH, before I forget they are still hoping against hope that they will get Trident renewed too. Have you noticed how suddenly we are hearing about Russian planes and subs testing our defence capabilities?
I used to be quite good on the radio control business; like a lot of our generation. Since the most successful weapon we seem to have AT THE MOMENT is the drone, perhaps the Chiefs of Staff in all their wisdom should think of calling us up again. After all - one can fly the damned things from one's armchair from anywhere in the world. No bombproof vehicles, no desert proof boots: just a cup of tea, now and again and the mandatory toilet close at hand. But then, defence is all about power and the likes of Croxson slumped in an armchair twiddling a few knobs aint that impressive (although I do still shave EVERY day) and I still have Brasso close at hand for the front door knobs and step which I could rapidly convert to wartime use.
I've just been listening to a programme coming from Syria (Seeing it's Sunday AM) with them Ameraic (or was it Aramaic) lot and a few Moslems thrown in for good luck. Their vision of the future sounded a damned sight better than that of a gung -ho General or two. Have they forgotten that it is, after all, just a religious war?
Millions of us must ask every day the following question.
WHY DON'T WE JUST PAY TOP WHACK FOR ALL THE HEROIN THAT THEY PRODUCE AND LEAVE THE POOR BLIGHTERS TO GET ON WITH THEIR LIVES?
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