Have the Brits become total wimps?

From "The Young British Soldier":

When first under fire an' you're wishful to duck,
Don't look nor take 'eed at the man that is struck,
Be thankful you're livin', and trust to your luck
And march to your front like a soldier.
Front, front, front like a soldier . . .

When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch,
Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch;
She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich,
An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.
Fight, fight, fight for the soldier . . .

When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine,
The guns o' the enemy wheel into line,
Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine,
For noise never startles the soldier.
Start-, start-, startles the soldier . . .

If 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.
Go, go, go like a soldier,
Go, go, go like a soldier,
Go, go, go like a soldier,
So-oldier of the Queen!

How the mighty have fallen... Kipling must be spinning in his grave.


------------------
"..but never ever Fear. Fear is for the enemy. Fear and Bullets."
10mm: It's not the size of the Dawg in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog!
 
They also don't care the the government is tracking their cell phones...

I told one of my British friends about the requirement that a tracking beacon be put in the phones by the manufacturers and she said "I'm not a criminal so I don't have anything to worry about. Doesn't bother me any"

Good lord, is this how we are going to end up? British people aren't stupid, nor are they cowards, but obviously this mindset has infiltrated their culture to the extent that they hardly flinch when another right is taken away.

------------------
The Alcove

I twist the facts until they tell the truth. -Some intellectual sadist

The Bill of Rights is a document of brilliance, a document of wisdom, and it is the ultimate law, spoken or not, for the very concept of a society that holds liberty above the desire for ever greater power. -Me
 
Hmmm...I seem to recall a less than glorious engagement that resulted in three US soldiers being 'captured' by the Serbs during the Kosovo conflict...and you guys gave them medals...<g>
 
Mike, we're on the fast track to wimpdom too. We've actually got soldiers complaining about how much the M-16 kicks :rolleyes:

------------------
The Alcove

I twist the facts until they tell the truth. -Some intellectual sadist

The Bill of Rights is a document of brilliance, a document of wisdom, and it is the ultimate law, spoken or not, for the very concept of a society that holds liberty above the desire for ever greater power. -Me
 
I think it's a lot easier to be a hero behind a keyboard than in the field. Crack people who are on the frontlines if you want to, British or American, but where are you? Those who can do, those who cannot complain about those who do.
 
Yeah and some people are heroes because they get stuck in a crappy situation and have no other choice. I don't see your point. Besides, a lot of guys on this board are vets, and I'm sure they've got a lot of room to talk.

------------------
The Alcove

I twist the facts until they tell the truth. -Some intellectual sadist

The Bill of Rights is a document of brilliance, a document of wisdom, and it is the ultimate law, spoken or not, for the very concept of a society that holds liberty above the desire for ever greater power. -Me
 
HMIB: That was the point of my post...don't judge unless you've walked a mile in those guys' shoes...Those "Brits" were members of the Royal Irish Rifles, who are almost exclusively from the Republic of Ireland, and they are amongst the best soldiers that I ever served with. They were probably approached by what they thought were 'friendlies'...not too tough to disarm and capture a patrol riding in three vehicles (i.e., not deployed in a defensive position) under those circumstances...anybody here who has been in uniform should know that...
..and by the way, fellas...a British soldier can still shoot, spit and P1ss just as far and straight as an American soldier.
Oh, and could someone relate some of Kipling's own military exploits to me? I seem to have forgotten. :rolleyes:
Mike (*Some of my Best Friends are American*)

[This message has been edited by Mike Davies (edited August 27, 2000).]
 
Well, I really hate to pass on an opportunity to 'dis the British, but .... I think Mike's right on this one.

And, I also recall the fuss we made over Scot O'Grady when he was shot down. I appreciate his service to our country, I was glad he was rescued, and I admired his successful efforts to elude capture. However, I could not fathom how these acts made him a hero. It simply looked like Bill Clinton needed a hero at the time, and voila ... Scot O'Grady fit the bill [so to speak ;) ].

Regards from AZ
 
Why Mr. Davies, you're starting to sound more and more like Tom Rawlinson every day!

I'm shocked... Shocked, I tell you! :)

But, the simple fact is, I agree with you.

We don't know the conditions under which this even occurred. Were they suddenly surrounded in such a manner that response was virtually impossible?

Who knows. We'll find out more when they get back.

Oh, and remember, everyone. The Brits are armed with the SA-80. They probably couldn't have fired back even had they wanted to. :D

Finally, I had thought that this thread was going to be about the average British subject. I'd say that yes, the average Brit on the streets IS a wimp, having for the most part purchased into the fallacy that the "Government knows what's best for me and everyone else."

Britain is already the most monitored society on the face of the earth, with hundreds of cameras in public places. These cameras scan facial images, and compared them against a data base of known offenders. If a match is made, additional surveilance is in order, or a copper is dispatched.

Unfortunately, these cameras don't do much to reduce crime. People are still mugged and assaulted regularly. The criminals are caught in many cases, but that's wonking big comfort to someone who just took a ball bat or pipe upside the head.

------------------
Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
 
Previously posted by Dangus

Besides, a lot of guys on this board are vets, and I'm sure they've got a lot of room to talk.
------------------

Yeah a lot of people on this boards are veterans, including myself. That is why it gauls me when someone ridicules fighting men as cowards or "wimps", when they don't know the complete situation, and our not themselves in that situation.


I agree with Mr. Davies comments and agree with him, sorry if I misunderstood your inital post. Concur about Kipling, easier to write about war than participate in it.
 
Irwin:
What the hell do you think you're trying to pull here...you AGREE with me? I can only assume that the REAL Mike Irwin has, indeed, been abducted by aliens...I noticed your scratchy nervousness when posting to the MIB thread...and those bats.... :p
Well, while we're all being SO agreeable here, I might as well agree with your appraisal of the Brits...yeah..they are pretty whipped...that's why I'm here and not there. The intrusion by the government into the private lives of their citizens is unbelievable. The same stunt is being attempted here in the Great White North, but we're made of sterner stuff...eh? :D
 
Originally posted by Jeff Thomas:
Well, I really hate to pass on an opportunity to 'dis the British, but .... I think Mike's right on this one.

Jeff: Don't stop 'dissing the Brits', not only do they deserve it, but it gives *me* something to write about.. :D
As for O'Grady...it's been done before...everybody needs a hero when things aren't going well...
Mike
Click to expand...
 
I've know good men and I've known some bad,
But on few will I place any bets,
I've met strong and weak, and happy and sad,
But the bravest of all were the vets.
-----

Kipling spoke to vets thusly:

I have eaten your bread and salt,
I have drunk your water and wine,
The deaths ye died I have watched beside,
And the lives that ye led were mine.

Was there aught that I did not share
In vigil or toil or ease,--
One joy or woe that I did not know,
Dear hearts across the seas?

I have written the tale of our life
For a sheltered people's mirth,
In jesting guise -- but ye are wise,
And ye know what the jest is worth.

-- Kipling
 
Just for the record, I wasn't agreeing with the statement that these soldiers were cowards, I have my doubts about that. I was just expressing my frustration with the British, who I happen to care for quite a bit. If I ever start bashing the British, by all means continue to remind us how far our military has fallen(I think it's safe to say ours and theirs have fallen for reasons other than not being good enough).

They should have just yelled "Bang" at the enemy, they would have thought the navy was opening up on them, lol

Mike is right though.

As for the SA-80, yeah, that would make sense. They probably forgot their duct tape and their guns fell apart.

------------------
The Alcove

I twist the facts until they tell the truth. -Some intellectual sadist

The Bill of Rights is a document of brilliance, a document of wisdom, and it is the ultimate law, spoken or not, for the very concept of a society that holds liberty above the desire for ever greater power. -Me
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Have the Brits become total wimps?[/quote]

Become? I think they always have been. :D
 
"Standard operating procedures for this type of incident are in place and ongoing," said a statement signed by Brigadier Gordon Hughes, commander of British forces in Sierra Leone.

One would assume (or at least hope) that said SOP includes SAS/SBS...

------------------
"...and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
Luke 22:36
"An armed society is a polite society."
Robert Heinlein
"Power corrupts. Absolute power - is kinda cool!"
Fred Reed
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top