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Subject: Black Watch
scholar    11/4/2004 2:40:14 PM
The Black Watch moved closer to the action in Iraq...and is taking causalties. What's the mood in the UK? Are people concerned? Angry? Resolute?
 
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fall out    RE:Black Watch   11/5/2004 2:15:19 AM
whilst i cant speak for the poms, i will say comiserations to them, at least they died fighting the good fight. OTOH, iv got sky news and every now and then they have sky news from over there and the reporters were saying that the casualties will only highten tensions. Not sure if this figure is right, but one of the scotsman's father said why send in 640 British troops to do the job that 4000 American troops couldn't. If that's right, it sounds pretty damn stupid on the govt's part, but im not sure.......
 
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Jack Tar    RE:Black Watch   11/5/2004 4:30:53 AM
My feeling on the move of the Black Watch Battle Group is, why were they sent there in the first place? I know The Black Watch were the Brit reserve force, but are you seriously telling me that the US forces didn't also have a reserve that they could move to Camp Dogwood? For whatever reason, I think their move North was a political one, NOT a military one.(though I'm open to discussion on it as Pongos aren't my main field) Sadly, death is part of war, and the Black Watch boys knew that when they signed up. They are out there doing a great job in spite of the dangers, and I thank them for it. I have a particular interest in the Black Watch as it was my Great Grandads regiment.(I have a fantastic old photo of him in full dress kilt/busby etc at Edinburgh Castle) I can't speak for the rest of the UK, but to sum up my feelings on the situation, 'I don't know why they have been moved North, but I have no doubt they will do a great job. My thoughts are with the families of those killed and injured.'
 
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ccooke    RE:Black Watch   11/5/2004 5:49:04 AM
Jack Tar 11/5/2004 4:30:54 AM ----640 British troops to do the job that 4000 American troops couldn't.----- I have also heard these figures quoted on several reports…. Sounds like some questions need to be asked…. ccooke…..
 
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Jack Tar    RE:Black Watch   11/5/2004 6:20:04 AM
----640 British troops to do the job that 4000 American troops couldn't.----- I have also heard these figures quoted on several reports…. Sounds like some questions need to be asked…. ccooke….. Agreed. Somethings not right here. If its something military that they are keeping quiet, fair enough, but this move seems to have a political stench to it.
 
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ccooke    stench Jack Tar    11/5/2004 6:48:10 AM
It does not look good. If the Americans truly needed our help what does that say for the state of their reserves? No matter what your opinion of American troops are, surely replacing 4000 troops with 850 is a bit of a stretch….. As for the stench of politics… Well the whole war sinks of politics to me…… ccooke…..
 
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DropBear    RE:stench Jack Tar    11/5/2004 7:02:14 AM
"As for the stench of politics… Well the whole war sinks of politics to me……" Fellas, What are your theories for UK involvement? What do you think Blair, may have thought he'd get out of it politically? Any political capital? Does your Opposition Part have any ideas to pull out, similar to the pre-election promise by Oz Labor? Alot of people in Oz, reckon we got involved (right or wrong), because we would then be able to turn around and get concessions on issues such as our Oz/USA FTA that is yet to be ratified. The notion of - "We helped you out in Nam, Gulf, Afghanistan and now in Iraq, so it is payback". Do you blokes get the sense that there are other interests at stake, concerning UK politics???
 
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ccooke     Opinion DropBear   11/5/2004 7:24:49 AM
My own opinion is PM Blair saw which way the wind was blowing and decided to back Pres Bush. I also think he genuinely felt that he should back up the US in it’s hour of need. However I do not think he realised what the outcome was going to be…… As for payback….. I don’t think there will be any. Pres Bush will do what he wants when he wants. The only thing PM Blair is going to get out of this is grief. The whole thing appears to be a one-way street in Pres Bushes favour…. As for the Tories.. It’s the all things to all people approach. Not only are they sitting on the fence, but they have a foot in each side’s garden… They approve of the war but not the reasons. They think Blair should apologise. That appears to be this weeks position, although it could have changed by now….. ccooke…..
 
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Jack Tar    RE:stench Jack Tar    11/5/2004 7:33:35 AM
'Do you blokes get the sense that there are other interests at stake, concerning UK politics?? ' Undoubtedly. 'Stable' Oil flow, big fat re-construction contracts, International status, and probably many more reason I can't think of. I try not to get into political discussions as a: I don't fully understand them half the time, b:I'm not very good at defending my own political views, c: I get angry. Basically politics ain't my bag man. I'm sure there are some political animals out there that can answer you far better than I can.
 
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Ad    RE   11/5/2004 10:50:51 AM
“As for the Tories.. It’s the all things to all people approach” What a ridiculous analysis?! The Liberal Democrats are the Band-Wagon party of Britain, first apposing the war, then when the majority backed it, supporting the war. The get their polices from reading the Mirror and then change them when they realise another paper is out selling them. They’re the biggest joke of a political party this country has ever seen. Gladstone would be turning in his grave if he realised that the party had evolved from the Liberals in the way it has; becoming so leftist and so lukewarm it makes people physically sick. The Conservative Party backed the war on principle, yet not on the given reasons, as it now has come to light over WMD. They have a problem with the lying that took place, yet not the war itself.
 
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ccooke    RE:RE AD Add up....   11/8/2004 10:47:18 AM
Ad 11/5/2004 10:50:51 AM ======What a ridiculous analysis?!===== Mmmmmm It’s easy AD… 2-3 Billion more for defence…. 40,000 Extra coppers….. Thousands more Nurses / Doctors….. Billions more investment in infrastructure…… R&D to inrease by 20%… Oh and they will cut your tax into the Bargin…. All things to all people… Pathetic - Fat leaches I know a few of them… ccooke…..
 
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