Indeed, but "Ben" and "Vulgarwhatever" seem to be rarely mentioned at one sitting, making it a little more difficult to know his address. I mean I've met you and a few others and I don't know where you or they live either, but if not knowing where everyone here lives makes me a thick **** then so be it. -- Beav VN 750 Zed 1000 OMF# 19
Go on then, what date's my birthday? Which is why you should wind your neck in a bit. Get fucked with your "advice". I believe it's a touch more than 5 minutes, but in the same vein you'd know that telling someone to **** off isn't an insult either, YRNB but I suppose that only applies to those who've been here since Adam was a lad. -- Beav VN 750 Zed 1000 OMF# 19
It's a given that friendly fire incidents can, do and will happen in war (on ALL sides) and I don't *really* think that's the main issue. It's the fact that it was swept under the carpet giving labelling the incident as "classified" using "national security" as reasons. Bullshit reasons, but reasons nontheless. Now that it's been uncovered, the ones responsible don't want to take the appropriate steps to calm the situation down, or make amends. They're more prepared to pour oil on troubled waters by telling the world this pilot is a fucking hero instead of admitting he fucked up. -- Beav VN 750 Zed 1000 OMF# 19
I didn't forget about it, but I thought it was "sorted" as in this case the American Military aren't trying to cover anything up, they just want to deal with the situation as they would any other. The pilots in this case are still facing legal action from the Military (court martial) which I don't see happening with the friendly fire incident. Always got low BP me. -- Beav VN 750 Zed 1000 OMF# 19
Absolutely. And there's no point in dwelling on it, really, other than to say "Shit happens". As you rightly point out, the issue is the cover-up, not the incident itself.
message That would be a ding, then - and the problem with cover ups is that they tend to mean that the balls up is repeated and perpetuated. Ali
message I thought the wife of the dead soldier was very accommodating of the American's. She seems to be one of the few people left who aren't after a big payout and simply wants the American to admit they made a pig's ear of the job in the hope it doesn't happen again. I for one, hope she gets exactly what she wants. -- Beav VN 750 Zed 1000 OMF# 19
It would've been high if they'd actually been found guilty of anything. I'd have immediately thought "Conspiracy". This is still the American's we're talking about after all. -- Beav VN 750 Zed 1000 OMF# 19
This is a common theme, I think. Some public body fucks up. No apology. The only "redress" is to sue, or otherwise go loud. When actually, what was wanted was some understanding, sympathy and a damned genuine "sorry". I had this a few years back with Tesco - long story, but the nutshell is that some silly cow of a worker there knocked my elderly and frail mother to the floor, rushing to get to the staff room. Tesco did sweet FA - my Pa had to take MA to Casualty, where she had three stitches to her head. I wrote and made a stink, they got legal, and yes, sent 500 quid. Which wasn't what any of us bloody wanted, but could Tesco see that? If they had helped her properly at the time, been concerned, maybe sent a bunch of flowers, none of it would have happened. Compare and contrast: years ago, I found a nail in a Heinzel's cheesecake. The manager of what was then Bejam came round and collected the offending item, with a replacement, apology, and a promise of action. Good lad. Next day, a Mrs Heinzel, who owned the damn company, phoned me. Very apologetic, very cross it had happened - workmen in, she thought one of them had been careless, and Heads Would Roll. Would we like some more cakes? No need, I said, but she insisted. Day after that, a man turns up on the doorstep. With a box of twenty assorted cakes.....! Ali
wessie wrote: [...] He sure SOUNDS like many of the yanks I've had to deal with. But if you say so. I don't hang around here enough anymore to know who changes their posting names to what. Meanwhile, the corporate press in the USA is beating the drums of war against Iran now, lead by the gung-ho war dodger in chief, Bush. How Iran is supplying the insurgents (which is completely unlike the USA supplying Saddam or Pinochet), how Iran is the next big, bad wolf, etc. How can anyone say that the "shoot first" attitude isn't coming from the top??
Like I said - not in MY experience. Which, although 15 years out of date, is just as valid as yours given the lack of change in military culture over that time. IMHO. The trick is to determine why your experience and mine differ so much, and you've hit the nail on the head with your next comment. That's the difference then. Most of the ones I met were "staff pukes", or the guys who got promotions not because they were good at being soldiers, but good at office politics. Unfortunately, they're still the ones making the decisions from a very safe distance. Like the ones making decisions on what information to "classify" because it might make their command look bad, or the decisions on what kind of training and attitude adjustments to give their "Air National Guard". Which happens to the the type of unit that has killed the most Canadians in "friendly fire" incidents as well. But you're being drawn to the dark side. Next thing you know you'll be thinking that Coors is a beer.
Which went stale because no-one wanted to chew another rusty nail, presumably. -- Beav VN 750 Zed 1000 OMF# 19
Oh do **** off. It's not as if I do it every fucking time. Just **** off and get a REAL life you wanker. How's that then? -- Beav VN 750 Zed 1000 OMF# 19
So I've since discovered, although that makes me wonder even more about your views on this particular situation. -- Beav VN 750 Zed 1000 OMF# 19
