U.S. wake up call!!!..........

[red indian]

.....I follow U.S. news coverage regularly, CBS, FOX, ext, and have noted a number of items discussing the possibility of a U.S. pull out from Iraq, and other various Iraq debates, and I have noted the almost complete lack these days of reference to British forces who are also still in Iraq. While we are all aware of the fact the U.S. have a larger force in Iraq than the U.K. our committment relative to the size or our armed forces is much greater than the U.S.

It would be nice to get a mention now and again, and I hope you will let us know if you do pull out, if its not too much trouble. May I also so say that it would appear our forces are doing a better job than yours since the end of the war. Perhaps someone at the pentagon should have made use of our vast experience in this type of low level conflict and our skills at winning hearts and minds?

If you dont believe me, ask Mr Rumsfelt, he thinks we are bloody good too!

 

[Oddjob0226]

I do thank the U.K forces for their hard work & sacrafice in what has been a difficult and devisive issue.

But if I hear of any plans for a pullout, I'll let you know here on the TMF and you can pass it along!

 

[The Pianist]

Hehe, whats better is when the reporters from ABC's CNNNN (yes, its supposed to be like that, we're all backwards in Australia) keep going around the US asking various questions like:

Do you know that Australia is supporting the war effort (much to the protest of a large part of Australia)?
Generally the answer was no... occasional the answer was "Arn't they part of america anyway...."

The more recent one these reporters did was go around suggesting that Kazakstan was a threat to America... despite none of the shown people had ever heard of this country, they still supported a premeptive attack.

Then again, this is a news parody, so theres every chance they showed the few dimwits that gave really dodgy answers....

 

[Deleted member 2452]

relax red

i heard just this week, that the u.s. will have troops in iraq for at least 6 more months, and more likely a year.

i don't think anyone is purposfully slighting the british involvment. i think it's a case of news covering the areas where there is action taking place. and thing are more passive in the british sector.

thanks for being there as an example red!

steve

 

[red indian]

Thats a good point........

.....stupid of me not to think of it that way, maybe you could call us victims of our own sucess!

 

[Iggy pop]

I think that the British forces experience with the IRA that makes them better equipped for this type of conflict and occupation.

 

[Haqim]

I believe there are a number of reason for the British success in pro war Iraq. Firstly as been stated our forces have had not only training but also experience in this sort of operation, notably in Northern Ireland. Also the area in which the British forces are holding, like Basra (sorry for the sp), are more stable than Baghdad. And I have heard that there has been a lot of outside forces (such as outside terrorist groups) that have been taking part in the recent activities. If this is the case I suspect they will focus their efforts on the US forces in a bid to get them to pull out of Iraq. Even if they attack us Brits on mass and we did pull out (which even if we suffered great losses I doubt would give up) the US can replace us. But if the US where to pull out we would also have to. However I doubt that nether ourselves or the US will give up the cause in Iraq regardless of what the terrorist try and do.

 

[red indian]

My view........

.....is that the U.S. would not be very happy to have any one other than U.K. troops in Iraq with them. They can just about tolerate the U.K. in a combined operation, but anyone else is just a pain in the ass to them, regardless of the altruistic intentions of any third party.

In the environment of todays battle field, the U.S. forces have trouble communicating with other forces, becuase they are so technologically advanced, and even the U.K. have trouble keeping pace even though we are the worlds second largest arms manufacturer.

Its a sad fact that the U.K,s most distinguished soldier in the last Iraq war, was awarded the George Cross (our highest military honour) for his action in the face of an American attack on U.K. forces.

I agree with Haqim and Iggy that U.K. forces have earned their reputation as a result of 30 years experience in Northern Ireland, and of course the great irony about that, is that it was to a large extent a war funded on one side by millions of dollars from American citizens.

 

[Strelnikov]

Rule Brittania!

I have nothing but admiration for the British armed forces. If they had the numbers and resources we have, they could restore the British Empire and not break a sweat. Too bad they're just a shadow of their former selves.

We won't bail out of Iraq while Bush is president, and even some of the Democrats have enough sense to know that it would be a disaster to do so.

For more discussion, see this thread: http://www.ticklingforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36424

Strelnikov

 

[General Zod]

Re: My view........

and of course the great irony about that, is that it was to a large extent a war funded on one side by millions of dollars from American citizens. [/B]

Red indian,please do not make that aasumption about all American citizens supporting the IRA I for one have never supported that terrorist organization and never will

 

[red indian]

Gen Zod........

.....point taken, but I did not make any such assumption.

 

[General Zod]

Well I guess I must have miss read it then What do i know anyway? i am just an american citizen gettin tired of being blamed for all the world's problems

 

[phfttklr]

Geez! More crying over the U.S.?

Hell, we're the ones who have to pay the taxes for this whole abomination but at least we understand our government is going to do what it damn well pleases. They started it, now they might as well finish it.

You want credit for this mess? You can have it.

 

[red indian]

Dont quote me on this phfttklr........

.....but I am fairly sure I pay taxes as well.

 

[JoBelle]

A little off topic, but since it was mentioned here, I'm making a request for a new thread.

Red,

Time and time again, you post your views about how we Americans support the terrorists on your island. Do me a favor and post me some info on it. Some links. Some hard facts. I'm not disputing you, but I'd like to see something on it. Support your facts rather than just tossing them out here as a snide secondary backup for your opinions on other semi-related matters. I think it would be a most interesting thread.

Thanks,
Joby

 

[red indian]

Oh Lordy!!!......

...........please read my posts properly before replying folks. I do not say "ALL AMERICANS ARE GUILTY OF CONTRIBUTING TO TERRORISM IN NORTHERN IRELAND" because I have clearly NOT said that, any arguments based on that assumption are pointless.

Neither do I accuse anyone who I know on this site of making similar contributions.

However the FACT remains true, that a large number of American citizens HAVE contributed millions of dollars to an organisation called NORAID wich is a U.S. fund raising operation for the I.R.A.

The point I am trying to make is that U.K. forces now working hard to support U.S. foreign policy in the in the middle east, have honed their skills (sadly lacking in their U.S. conterparts) in Northern Ireland,battling against an enemy backed by U.S. dollars.

U.S. support for the U.K. government on this issue over many years has been at best, luke warm, due to the strength of the Irish American lobby and the usual pious platitudes about extinguishing the dying embers of the evil British empire.

However when it comes to supporting our natural allies across the pond,we are straight in there doing our best to combat terrorism, because 30 years experience tells us we must do what we can to help.

I feel that too many Americans have no understanding of the part their country has played in supporting terrorism in the U.K. and that they should be MUCH more appreciative of the support we have offered in YOUR battle against terrorism.

 

[JoBelle]

Re: Oh Lordy!!!......

[BI feel that too many Americans have no understanding of the part their country has played in supporting terrorism in the U.K. and that they should be MUCH more appreciative of the support we have offered in YOUR battle against terrorism. [/B]

OK, Mr. HuffyPants!

Red,
If you'll notice, I asked you to provide information to enlighten us. You made an accusation that obviously is not considered common knowledge and failed to explain it when you made it. A simple explanation of such would have sufficed, but instead you get all pissy!

As far as "the part our country has played," how about you give us some numbers so we know if it is truely representative of our country or if it's just another quack group with a jihad mentality!I'm sure there are plenty of nutters running around the world in equal numbers to those that support terrorism in the UK.

Jo

 

[Oddjob0226]

Re: Oh Lordy!!!......

However the FACT remains true, that a large number of American citizens HAVE contributed millions of dollars to an organisation called NORAID wich is a U.S. fund raising operation for the I.R.A.

This is true.

I feel that too many Americans have no understanding of the part their country has played in supporting terrorism in the U.K.

True, too. Check out our public school system sometime. And the people having the kids who put them into that system!

U.S. support for the U.K. government on this issue over many years has been at best, luke warm, due to the strength of the Irish American lobby and the usual pious platitudes about extinguishing the dying embers of the evil British empire.

On the other hand - strength of the Irish Amerian lobby? I haven't seen 'em around these parts. I'm one of sons of Eire and if this 'strong' group does exsist they haven't done a dang thing for me. It's like I always say - you can't win.

For example - I can't figure out how to make partial quotes w/o everything (or nothing) going boldface. After 3 tries! I blame the Italians.

 

[Deleted member 2452]

siding with red on this.

this deserves a thread of it's own, really.
but since it's here, i'll answer it here.
red is correct, the irish american community gives millions of dollars annually to the ira. the infamous kennedys of mass. are huge donators.
back in the mid '70's, here in chicago a large arms shipment was dicsovered, that was destined for irland. i know about it cause my father was one of ther crime lab people that inventoried the weaponry.
the whole thing was hushed up. but what else could be expected from a town run by a daly!

steve

 

[red indian]

Thanks for the support guys.......

.....I know I have banged on about this subject before but, I have just got so wound up lately watching U.S. news coverage which acts as if the Brits have never been in Iraq. So I was doing my bit to redress the balance a little. As I have explained to Jo Belle in a private conversation i always try to keep my posts as short as possible (I never read other peoples "epic" posts!) and as a result accuracy sometimes suffers as a result of brevity.

So, sorry if I upset anyone by suggesting they were personally involved in supporting the I.R.A.