Is there any chance that this thread might get back somewhere near the topic?
What a strange comment to make.
When did I suddenly become the bad guy?
When threads break down into constant flaming that is no longer relevant to the thread itself they are usually locked. That's not my fault, it's down to the site administration.
it laughable I'm afraid that the thought of anyone listening to others point of view or even trying to understand another point of view in this particular forum
in my time here i have seen alliance's built on political persuasion and social orientated backgrounds and its comical to watch some argue against their own beliefs just because the post was from the opposition
I'm afraid words are cheap and very few here are true to what they really believe
IMHO
Did I miss the post where it was shown that NIL was very wrong in what he said?
An IED is an explosive that is used to kill by someone standing on it, driving over it or being detonated by stand off. A bit like a mine, that were used in the millions by the British Army in WW2 and some types are still used today..........hang on a minute. If these insurgents are cowards for using their IEDs/mine what does that make the soldiers of the UK, past and present????
Or another way of thinking of an IED is to instill fear into those on the ground to do what the opposition wants. In other words, the art of war. A mine is to deny ground to the enemy without the need to risk life.
So are they cowards? Definately not, same as I would not call an allied soldier a coward for using them. They are just another tool for doing a very awful job. A job that no person should ever aspire to or want to do. Unfotunately, as I cannot see conflict stopping then unfortunately there will be young men and women dying for their governments/leaders.
Dave_Notts
Clearly you did Dave. It was explained 'in some detail' apparently, I think you'll find. Do keep up FFS! :P
Is not the difference here Dave, that whilst in the dark past British troops used mines in the manner you described, Diana Princess of Wales did sterling work in having these sorts of device outlawed world wide to which the British Government (and many others) subscribed.
I agree with you that minefields were used effectively in denying ground to enemy forces and these were often well marked as such. I think the difference here to which star alludes, is that the 'enemy' is not respecting the' new world order' on the use of these devices to which Diana contributed so much but as they continue to use them in their arsenal of terror creation, they are thus 'cowards'.
One of the reasons behind the withdrawal of these devices is that their positions are often undocumented and they are non-discriminatory in their deployment. Often, long after the 'battle' has been fought in that area, whether won or lost, innocent lives are lost or irreversably changed by coming into contact with them whilst going about their ordinary everyday lawful existence.
One of the points I was trying to make GNV, is that the Taliban plant IED's not just in places where soldiers will go, but also they plant them indiscriminately as well. Has anyone any idea how many Afghan civilians are injured and killed every week? There are thousands and thousands of innocents men women and children, killed and lose limbs through this method of IED planting.
If the Taliban were simply looking to kill soldiers why are they planting IED's in civilian aras as well? The Apache guns are surely not going to open fire when the Taliban are planting them right next to a town are they? The insinuation that the Taliban are brave warriors fighting an unjust cause is pretty laughable. They care nothing for the people who live there, and want complete power in Afghanistan.
So Apache helicopters open fire on the Taliban planting IED's in towns then? The Taliban kill indiscriminately, they care not about children who may get caught in the cross fire, but our soldiers cannot fire back in civilian areas, and people think these Taliban are not cowards? They are worse than cowards as they use children to not only plant IED's, but also to carry out suicide attacks. Has anyone got any idea how many children have been killed this way? There are many that are not reported in the media. It is usually soldiers who have to literally pick up the pieces of body parts of those children that the Taliban have forced to kill themselves.
Utter cowards in my book, and that is one of many ways the Taliban fight, yet our soldiers have to fight with one arm behind their backs, whilst filling out paper reports. No wonder we make very little progress out there.
I for one sincerely hope that Harry comes home alive and well
His mothers death ruined one days T.V. god forbid Hewitts bastard should ruin another
I use it as a derogatory term there flower. The fact that i have the experience, which i hope you aren't doubting there, gives me the ability to fill in the bits the media deem too sensitive or gory to show or tell about. If you would like a more detailed and from my experience exact view of what actually goes on over there warts and all. Read the award winning book from rolling stone "Generation Kill". The mini series is also excellent and although based upon US forces it is scarily identical to being on the ground. Humour, madmen and shooting camels with diazepam combo pens on constructed bows and arrows. Ask any soldier who has been there and you will be surprised at how much fun they tell you it is, if you cope, the adrenalin rush is so great you find yourself looking for contact. Great mates are made and lost every tour and that in my experience is why I only have derogatory terms and feelings for Hadjis!
Have a little research into how close you have to be to light up a target with an LTD. Big clue ...it's a lot closer than the telly in your lounge.
You are moulded by life's experiences, everyone is different, everyone has an opinion. Ours simply differs.
John
