Why Defend Ourselves? (At huge expence)
- 19 October 2010 22:0575690My blog is now up with a detailed commentary on the results of the security review.
It will only be up for a couple of days before I return to economic matters that loom large. - 19 October 2010 23:2775694
- Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,316
20 October 2010 06:4375695Hardly cost saving Bob, a jet would have been cheaper!
TerryQuis custodiet ipsos custodes? - 20 October 2010 10:0975719there has been conjecture that manchester city are prepared to pay manchester united 50 million smackers and then pay wayne the same amount again over a 4 year period.
- 20 October 2010 10:2575723There is a confusion in my mind as to what is meant by 'defence' when being discussed in the media.
To me, the following would come under defence:
Trident, to defend against nuclear threats.
Defence of the UK against conventional external military threats.
Sufficient forces in (or rapidly deployable to) the Falklands and other dependencies to defend them until such time as the inhabitants wish to become independent.
A sufficient standing army, navy and air force to allow the above to take place.
Domestic terrorism is a matter for the police, not the military.
The other adventures in the Middle East and elsewhere are not defence but the pursuit of foreign policy by military means, and their costs should be met by the foreign affairs budget. Otherwise the costs of those adventures threaten to get out of hand, cause diversion of finite resources from the home front and prejudice the (more important) defence of our homeland. We are seeing this now. If it had not been for the two gulf wars and Afghanistan, Trident would be affordable without further discussion.
PG.I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson - Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,706
20 October 2010 23:1675837Sadly the guberment have fallen into the usual trap of not making defence cuts but trying to continue to do the same expensive things but more cheaply; hence the nonsense of aircraft carriers with no aircraft to fly off them, an aircraft carrier that gets built only to be mothballed, a delayed replacement for Trident etc. etc.
Frankly its a bloody shambles"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi - 20 October 2010 23:2275838Only my opinion, they have made A HUGE MISTAKE.
The same about the berries, only time will tell.
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet. - 21 October 2010 01:0675839Hello Bern.
I've been to the barbers, but had to join in here to blow my democratic expression into the forum on this thread, and thumbs up the announced spending cuts. I, yes my democratic oppinion, is a fantastic: well done Gov. for these spending cuts!
We just don't need to go about being killed for ... whatever ... rights of this that and the other around the world.
Let's also get out of Afghanistan! The Afghans are intelligent enough to know what they want. I really don't mind if Afghan women wear burkas, it's their right to do so.Chanters, Drums and Drones Potty Time http://youtu.be/99fMqpjnXYA
Rule Britannia!
Kent First http://youtu.be/04F3mAP3fV4 Keep banging on http://youtu.be/qYCU_SKmkGQ - 21 October 2010 01:0975840As for Trident nuclear powered submarines carrying nuclear missiles, they don't even get blessed by the catholic church, so on this too I agree with Gov., and the catholic way of thinking, although I am not catholic, that people should not play around with nuclear subs! They can be dangerous...
Chanters, Drums and Drones Potty Time http://youtu.be/99fMqpjnXYA
Rule Britannia!
Kent First http://youtu.be/04F3mAP3fV4 Keep banging on http://youtu.be/qYCU_SKmkGQ - 21 October 2010 01:1375841Ian, soldiers of old used to march into battle with rifle and bayonet levelled, saw their adversaries face to face, and didn't use sophisticated warplanes whizzing in at 2000 miles per hour! Back to the old days, lad!
Although, not to kill, just to march with discipline. I don't want any killing wars!
There's enough on our plate as it is, without finding a war to do somewhere on the globus. How's about getting out spades and planting orchards? We don't need warplanes to do that, you know!Chanters, Drums and Drones Potty Time http://youtu.be/99fMqpjnXYA
Rule Britannia!
Kent First http://youtu.be/04F3mAP3fV4 Keep banging on http://youtu.be/qYCU_SKmkGQ
