British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is again struggling to defend his nation’s incredibly unpopular role in the Afghan war, following the abrupt resignation of MP Eric Joyce from a high ranking position in the nation’s Defense Ministry.
Joyce didn’t just resign as one of the key aides to Defense Secretary Bob Ainsworth, he delivered a public dressing down of the Labor government over its mismanagement of the Afghan War, and said he didn’t think the public, 69 percent of whom are already opposed to the war according to recent polls, would tolerate the excuse of terror risk much longer. He also called for an explicit time limit to Britain’s role and criticized political attacks on soldiers who have complained about lack of equipment.
Brown publicly ruled out the time limit, and insisted that the risk of terrorism on the streets of Britain wasn’t the only reason for the war, claiming it was about protecting the international community from the threat of terror as well.
The prime minister also tried, somewhat awkwardly, to address the criticism that he didn’t present a clear picture of when the war would be won and when the troops could return. Brown insisted people would know the war was a success “when our troops are coming home.” He gave no clue when this would happen.
It's perfectly legitimate to make 'political attacks' on soldiers who complain of lack of equipment. Their complaints are based on the patently ridiculous idea that if only they had more equipment, they would be capable of fulfilling their mission of keeping the streets of Britain safe from the Afghan hills. The idea that you can't ridicule soldiers when they're being ridiculous is a threat to democratic expression.
Boys, either complete your mission with the very fine, very costly kit you're given, or come home and do something constructive instead.
Here is something from the previous adventure of British Imperialism — The odds are on the cheaper man. The pound has devalued but the arithmetic is essentially the same.
Three hundred pounds per annum spent
On making brain and body meeter
For all the murderous intent
Comprised in "villainous saltpetre".
And after?- Ask the Yusufzaies
What comes of all our 'ologies.
A scrimmage in a Border Station-
A canter down some dark defile
Two thousand pounds of education
Drops to a ten-rupee jezail.
The Crammer's boast, the Squadron's pride,
Shot like a rabbit in a ride!
:
:
With home-bred hordes the hillsides teem.
The troopships bring us one by one,
At vast expense of time and steam,
To slay Afridis where they run.
The "captives of our bow and spear"
Are cheap, alas! as we are dear.
Rudyard Kipling
"f your officer's dead and the sergeants look white,
Remember it's ruin to run from a fight:
So take open order, lie down, and sit tight,
And wait for supports like a soldier.
Wait, wait, wait like a soldier . . .
When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
An' go to your Gawd like a soldier."
as long as they gots thems rifles they oughts serve county well!