Clarkson & Hammond at the 2008 Millie Awards
- Thread starter Alasondro Alegré
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matyas
Well-Known Member
I think there is nothing wrong with honouring your soldiers, even if the war was entered based on lies. Blame the politicians, not soldiers.
Goose+
Well-Known Member
I don't see what can be "disappointing" about this news?
alihaig
Active Member
I think you need a bit more elaboration on that??? Whats disappointing about recognising the bravery and achievements of the brave men and women who go out every day so that you can sleep comfortably in your bed as a free man, living in a free country?
And what is disappointing about celebrities and sport stars famous for doing well, not a lot of great importance, using their positions to advertise those achievements of men so much more deserving of praise?
So this current war in Iraq might not have been entered into under slightly dubious circumstances, but the soldiers, sailors and airmen did not make that decision they just went where they were told. Many others are and have been fighting or working in some capacity all over the world from peacekeeping in Sierra Leone, the Balkans and Cyprus, to rebuilding after the earthquake in Pakistan in 2005 and the 2004 Asian Tsunami. In the not so distant past they have also been fighting and dieing to protect British soil directly in the Falklands and Northern Ireland. I can't find the link right now but I seem to remember a few years ago seeing a map showing current British troop deployments in over 30 countries around the world. Are all of these operations "disappointing" and undeserving of praise?
I would also like to know what you found disappointing in that.
acabinian
Active Member
I hope that's not directed at the military men and women who were part of this awards ceremony.
Sure, we can have our discussions over whether a particular war should have been fought or not. But we cannot fault the people who willingly risk their lives to fight for their countries (US, UK, where ever) and for freedom.
I wonder where you've disappeared to, Tuesday? Scared to defend yourself and your seemingly pointless comment?
Gibby
Well-Known Member
matatarski
Member
so by honoring members of the armed forces they are supporting every war? I'm pretty sure Clarkson is against the Iraq War and Bush's other adventures. I'm not even British and this is pretty insulting.
Richmondgal
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Just because they're honouring those who have endured horrors none of us would want to encounter in our lives, doesn't mean they support the continuity of war.
Walsh_e
Active Member
What culture would this be exactly? Most people in the UK did not want to go to war in Iraq, in fact most people in this country didn't even want to go to war with Afghanistan!
Just because people don't want our troops to be killed doesn't mean we agree with going to war!
Take the politics out of it, consider it recognition of people that do their jobs extremely well, often in the face of extreme adversity and high risk to their own lives. The fact that we, as a culture, place more emphasis on those who have their faces on TV/Film and pay them sometimes obscene amounts of money, is something that needs considered reflection. These people (defence personnel) out there doing the job on behalf of their nation are finally getting some positive recognition, it should be applauded. Don't tar them with the same brush as the politicians.
shellygrrl
Well-Known Member
Nail hit on head. Well done.
Yes, you CAN support your men and women in uniform and disagree with the war. Hell, I would be willing to wager a lot of the soliders themselves don't want to be wherever they're deployed (especially those in Iraq and Afghanistan); they'd rather be at home with their families or serving their country in other capacities. All they're doing is following orders, as much as they may not want to.
Yes, it is insulting; and I'm not British either. However, I've family who were in the military: both of my parents are US Air Force vets. (At one point, my father was stationed in Vietnam during the war. I'm not sure he saw any combat, though; I've never asked about it.) Plus, I have a half-brother who served in the first Gulf War; and lord knows that did a number on him psychologically (I've not had contact with him since circa 1992). So to say that one should not support our troops if they disagree with where they're being sent is, to me at least, a big-arse slap in the face.
I've read some of Jeremy's older columns recently; and it does seem to me he was definitely against joining the US in Iraq. But that does not (and should not, in my very unhumble opinion) mean that he--or anyone--should not support the troops that are there.
My bf was not asked if he agreed with the war or even if he wanted to participate. He was just told when and where to report.
And he did a damn fine job while he was there and managed to come home in one piece. Much to the disappointment of those trying to blow him to bits I am sure.
tuesday
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They're a volunteer force and their job is killing people, helping people kill people, and dying at the behest of politicians so it's impossible to take the politics out of it and similarly impossible not to hold them responsible for their actions.
And they're not acting like a defensive force. They're overseas killing people who are resisting the invasion of their own country. The defensive force is the one they're attacking.
And they're not acting like a defensive force. They're overseas killing people who are resisting the invasion of their own country. The defensive force is the one they're attacking.
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