After 38 years, Operation Banner will come to end at midnight. Operation Banner was ostensibly an operation to support the RUC in preventing Protestant violence against the Catholic minority in Ulster.
However, militants within the Roman Catholic community used the opportunity to direct Republican sentiment against the government; costing 763 British servicemen their lives. Numerous citizens, many of them completely innocent, were killed on both sides of the Irish Channel.
Whilst the current terrorist activities of the IRA are now minimal, it should be remembered that the IRA (and Loyalist Paramilitaries) have now become the gangland enforcers in their communities. The economics of vice have replaced the politics of hate. As such, the government has failed to protect the interests of the Northern Ireland population by allowing these same muderers to continue in the coercion of their respective communities.
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Friday, 20 July 2007
The Continuing Failure of NATO in Afghanistan
Former Scots Guard, Captain Leo Docherty (Rtd.), is quite correct when saying that our presence in Afghanistan is a "huge political failure".
His comments are timely as they correspond with the thoughts of the Parliamentary Defence Select Committee (PDSC) who claimed that it was "deeply concerned" about what was happening in Afghanistan. In addition, the PDSC urged NATO to send more troops to the country; and that they should come from Germany and France in particular.
It is clear that Britain, the US, and Canada is currently bearing the majority of military and financial cost in this theatre of operations. Whilst Britain has approximately 7,000 British military personnel in southern Afghanistan, it is surely impossible to take and hold all Taliban strongholds in such a vast area.
The original plan for Helmand Province was for security and reconstruction to take place in conjunction with one another. However, the level of activity between British soldiers and the Taliban has ensured that reconstruction is not afforded the attention that is required. Hence, The Afghans return to their poppy growing.
So, once again the history of Afghanistan is ignored. The 1st Afghan War, the 2nd Afghan War, the Russian occupation ...
His comments are timely as they correspond with the thoughts of the Parliamentary Defence Select Committee (PDSC) who claimed that it was "deeply concerned" about what was happening in Afghanistan. In addition, the PDSC urged NATO to send more troops to the country; and that they should come from Germany and France in particular.
It is clear that Britain, the US, and Canada is currently bearing the majority of military and financial cost in this theatre of operations. Whilst Britain has approximately 7,000 British military personnel in southern Afghanistan, it is surely impossible to take and hold all Taliban strongholds in such a vast area.
The original plan for Helmand Province was for security and reconstruction to take place in conjunction with one another. However, the level of activity between British soldiers and the Taliban has ensured that reconstruction is not afforded the attention that is required. Hence, The Afghans return to their poppy growing.
So, once again the history of Afghanistan is ignored. The 1st Afghan War, the 2nd Afghan War, the Russian occupation ...
Thursday, 19 July 2007
Holidays and Global Warming
Having got back from the sunniest part of the country, my thoughts once again turn to global warming.
Last summer was somewhat dry, and we were told that Britain would soon become sub-Saharan in a matter of years. Hosepipe bans were enforced throughout much of the country, and water bills soared.
This summer has seen almost constant rain, with flooding throughout the north-east. The government response was pitiful, but that's another story. Neither are we alone. China, the US, Brazil ... all have seen much more than their fair share of the wet stuff. Even droughts in parts of Australia have been ended.
Global warming may be an actuality, but what is clear is that the causes and affects are not understood by those who profess knowledge on the subject. Government funding of the vast amounts of research see these soothsayers spout what their paymasters want to hear. Neutral or opposing opinions are drowned out by the chattering classes.
Meanwhile my summer hols were the wettest I could remember! Even South West England was a bit of a damp squib.
Last summer was somewhat dry, and we were told that Britain would soon become sub-Saharan in a matter of years. Hosepipe bans were enforced throughout much of the country, and water bills soared.
This summer has seen almost constant rain, with flooding throughout the north-east. The government response was pitiful, but that's another story. Neither are we alone. China, the US, Brazil ... all have seen much more than their fair share of the wet stuff. Even droughts in parts of Australia have been ended.
Global warming may be an actuality, but what is clear is that the causes and affects are not understood by those who profess knowledge on the subject. Government funding of the vast amounts of research see these soothsayers spout what their paymasters want to hear. Neutral or opposing opinions are drowned out by the chattering classes.
Meanwhile my summer hols were the wettest I could remember! Even South West England was a bit of a damp squib.
Monday, 9 July 2007
Holiday
Just a few lines to say that I've decided to take a one week holiday, and will be heading down south tomorrow morning.
I've decided that a break will do wonders for my creative side. More blogs to follow ...
I've decided that a break will do wonders for my creative side. More blogs to follow ...
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
Surviving Bevin Boys to be Remembered
Surviving members of the 48,000 Bevin Boys are to be awarded a badge for their work during the 2nd World War. The official recognition is for the conscripted and volunteer force that helped keep the British coal mines running from 1943 onwards.
The Bevin Boys were named after Ernest Bevin, Labour MP, and Minister of Labour and National Service in Churchill's coalition government. Approximately 50% were conscripts selected by ballot to serve in the mines. The remainder were volunteers who chose coal mining in preference to serving in branches of the Armed Services.
Of course, one might wonder why British merchantmen, particularly those involved in the Russian convoys, have yet to receive any award for their services.
The Bevin Boys were named after Ernest Bevin, Labour MP, and Minister of Labour and National Service in Churchill's coalition government. Approximately 50% were conscripts selected by ballot to serve in the mines. The remainder were volunteers who chose coal mining in preference to serving in branches of the Armed Services.
Of course, one might wonder why British merchantmen, particularly those involved in the Russian convoys, have yet to receive any award for their services.
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
North Korea Fires Missile at Japan
The China Daily today reported the following. "North Korea fired a short-range missile toward waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, a South Korean intelligence official said Tuesday, amid signs of progress in ending North Korea's nuclear weapons program. The North "fired the short-range missile around 3:30 (2:30 a.m. EDT)," the South Korean official said on condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the issue." There were no comments in addition to this extremely brief article.
This was the second missile firing in as many weeks, and comes after the test-firing of a number of short-range missiles, into the Sea of Japan, on 26th May 2007.
These events come as the UN nuclear inspectors prepare to visit North Korea next week. This is ostensibly to discuss the monitoring and verification of shutting down the Yongbyon nuclear reactor. Am I alone in feeling that we have been here before, with both Iraq and Iran?
This was the second missile firing in as many weeks, and comes after the test-firing of a number of short-range missiles, into the Sea of Japan, on 26th May 2007.
These events come as the UN nuclear inspectors prepare to visit North Korea next week. This is ostensibly to discuss the monitoring and verification of shutting down the Yongbyon nuclear reactor. Am I alone in feeling that we have been here before, with both Iraq and Iran?
Friday, 15 June 2007
Kurt Waldheim Dies
I don't like to speak ill of the dead, but in this case I'll make an exception. Ardent Nazi, Kurt Waldheim, died yesterday at the age of 88. His most notable posts were as Secretary-General of the United Nations, President of Austria, and Nazi intelligence officer in the Balkans.
Many would argue that he was a member of the Wehrmacht, and no Nazi. However, evidence to the contrary, shows this not to be the truth.
He actively supported the Germans and Croats in their suppression of the Bosnians, and was complicit in the massacre at Kozara in 1942. He was also involved in massacres against the Yugoslavs and Greeks in 1943-44; particularly with reference to massacres at Kalavrita, Klissura, Distomo and Chortiatis. He is also thought to have been involved with the torture and execution of British troops under Hitler's 'Commando Order'.
What is not beyond doubt was his direct involvement in the deportation of the Greek Jews to the concentration camps and his anti-Israeli stance.
Needless to say, his passing will see no mourning for him in my house. Indeed, it is unbelievable that a Nazi with his record could be allowed to gain high office and live into old age with no recourse. Such is the world of international politics!
Many would argue that he was a member of the Wehrmacht, and no Nazi. However, evidence to the contrary, shows this not to be the truth.
He actively supported the Germans and Croats in their suppression of the Bosnians, and was complicit in the massacre at Kozara in 1942. He was also involved in massacres against the Yugoslavs and Greeks in 1943-44; particularly with reference to massacres at Kalavrita, Klissura, Distomo and Chortiatis. He is also thought to have been involved with the torture and execution of British troops under Hitler's 'Commando Order'.
What is not beyond doubt was his direct involvement in the deportation of the Greek Jews to the concentration camps and his anti-Israeli stance.
Needless to say, his passing will see no mourning for him in my house. Indeed, it is unbelievable that a Nazi with his record could be allowed to gain high office and live into old age with no recourse. Such is the world of international politics!
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