Sunday, October 11, 2009

POOR TOMMY ATKINS IS SECOND BEST AGAIN.

Meanwhile back here in Britain yesterday we did something which we do rather well; there in all their finery were the great and good at St. Paul’s Cathedral to pay tribute to the dead in Iraq; the dead on both sides were remembered this time since the evil Thatcher had no hand in it. During a similar service for the Falklands dead she tried to ban any reference to the Argentine dead; she was faced down by the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Ronald Runcie who insisted on prayers for the enemy dead; much to her fury. How ironic and satisfying it was some time later to discover that the elderly cleric who stood up to the rancid old war criminal was also the holder of the Military Medal awarded for gallantry as a tank commander in Normandy in WW 11. These public exhibitions of remembrance turn my stomach; they always manage to look triumphalist. They also push forward into the lime light the wrong people such as politicians, military officers and the usual collection of Royal fools dripping in gold and festooned with undeserved medals.

If we must have these public shows more effort should be made to emphasize the awfulness of war which might concentrate the minds of those who take the decisions to go to war. I would have these occasions led by the wounded instead of hiding them away, every Soldier, Sailor or Airman wounded should be present and should occupy the front rows of the church where no one can miss them. Wheelchairs crutches beds and guide dogs should take prominence; they have earned it, let the extras from the Gilbert and Sullivan opera fight it out for the cheap seats.

I remember the controversy over the Falklands remembrance service which was attended by wounded servicemen but they were positioned in a part of the church where they could not be seen and were not shown on TV; I thought that that was a filthy trick worthy of the dirtiest propagandists anywhere and the ceremony the other day was the same. Because of what happened under Thatcher I watched closely but failed to see a single injured soldier, sailor or airman. Someone must be responsible for the running of these things which suggests that once again a decision was made to hide the wounded if indeed they were there. Would the most sycophantic monarchist argue that Prince Philip doddering around like an expensive Christmas tree is more worthy of prominence than someone who fought and sustained wounds? Does the military brass think that they should be the ones on show rather than those they commanded who have been wounded? It’s a bloody disgrace and it’s also another example of how much respect our society really has for those who make the real sacrifices which is very little.

12 comments:

Oakwood said...

I was gladdened when I read that the father of one of the soldiers who had died refused to shaked Blair's hand as it had blood on it.

Good on him.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Oakwood) 09:57

I often wonder what it is that people like this man want or what they get out of this kind of thing; I wouldn’t do something like this even if the Prime Minister at the time was a right wing war criminal like Thatcher; I just don’t think it does anything; except perhaps giving people like you a chance to join in, pathetic.

Oakwood said...

Are you saying that Blair didn't lie to get the UK involved in the Iraq war? and, when you compare him to Margaret Thatcher, are you suggesting 2 wrongs make a right.

Anonymous said...

"even if the Prime Minister at the time was a right wing war criminal like Thatcher."
Right wing, war criminal, like Thatcher.
That's Blair on all 3 counts right?

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 12/10/09
Rubbish – and it’s two counts you fool.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Oakwood) 12/10/09
I believe he was badly advised and he made a grave error he did not lie. I did not compare him to Thatcher.

Anonymous said...

Has Saint Tony apologised for his 'grave error'

Didnt think so, he's Labour's war criminal so that's OK in Citizen Terrys book.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(Anonymous) 13/10/09
If Tony Blair were to announce that he was wrong and make an apology would you forgive him?

HC Bosman said...

If Radovan Karadic were to announce he was wrong and make an apology, would you forgive him?

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(HC Bosman) 15/10/09

I asked first.

HC Bosman said...

OK then. If Tony Blair were to come before the nation and sincerely and contritely admitted that he was wrong and lied about the reasons he came before Parliament to take our troops to war in Iraq and asked the nation's forgiveness, then yes I would forgive him.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

(HC Bosman) 12:06
So you trust him to be “sincere and contrite” then?

"mercy blesses he that gives and he that receives" (W Shaekspeare)

I feel humble that you should write to me.