This site has been open long enough for any body to see and understand the workings of, particularly, un-named MoD Spokesmen's minds. Remember "disaffected veterans", "envious of current soldiers", "our troops are well supplied", "there are no problems with delivery" , "there are sufficient helicopters" etc, "there is no requirement for dedicated military hospitals" all replies to the media, TV, etc, by MoD Spokespersons stemming from complaints by soldiers, families and junior and senior (in some cases very senior) Officers - WHINGERS?

No Fred!" Whingers"/"wingeing" is an epithet used defensively, and offensively to decry what may well be justified complaints usually, but not always, from a minority group. On top of which we are considering the position of the Chief of the Defence Staff: is it likely he would support 'unattributable' (rather than unedited - poor MoD spokesmen?) complaints from'squaddies', probably through, and by, their CO's/OC's, and present them to MOD?

I think the point that MoD are making, is that they are up to their necks in problems of their own making - AGAIN!

Redcapfred wrote:

I think the point they were making is the FACT that in ALL areas of life you will find the whingers....No matter how the majority think !

Don't agree, Redcapfred. That's what you are saying. Not them.

What they are saying is that statements are only reliable after they have been edited ... inferring 'edited' by them!

And are you really suggesting that the Chief of Defence Staff, a Para Lt Col, DSO (Afghanistan), and soldiers currently serving in very difficult conditions who dare to question what is going on are ... "whingers"!

In my view, evenhandedness is one thing, but there's only so far right minded people should go to try and apologise for this shower who are destroying so much.

And you know as well as I do that the majority seldom say it as they see it. If they did, the government you defend so vehemently would be on the dole queue.

Just a personal view ...

Barry


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BarryF, who fought for the Right to Wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia

I think the point they were making is the FACT that in ALL areas of life you will find the whingers....No matter how the majority think !

""



Last edited by StanW on Mon Apr 14, 2008 12:30 am; edited 1 time in total

It would appear that the 'spokesperson', for the MoD, has assumed the role of a cracked record, in declaring that the views represented by those serving ... etc.

I for one, if I was still serving, would take more than a passing interest in the fact, that, my weapon, may, or may not fire. The bullets in the magazine, may, or may not fire. The bullet proof jacket, may. or may not, stop a bullet. The helicopter that rushes me to an armed engagement, may or may not take off, or for that matter, stay up. Always remember folks, your equipment was made by the lowest bidder.

My pay, may or may not be stopped for a variety of reasons. My insurance may, or may not, pay out for injuries sustained in battle. The accommodation that my family lives in, may, or may not be condemed by the environmental health authorities. Official enquiries into deaths, may or may not happen.

If I happen to give vent to my feelings on the matter, then I do not need some rear-end from the MoD, telling me how to think and what to say. After all, like my serving colleagues, we would be keeping those whinging rear ends safe from destruction.

The upshot of it all, is, that life is an uncertainty, except when dealing with the MoD, then it makes it a certainty that you are going to get stuffed, one way or the other, and that is not a maybe.

Yours Aye... maybe

Arthur

Done that Pete, I started my Army life as a Junior Drummer in the Grenadier Guards and played at many ceremonial occasions unfortunately including funerals, not a pleasant experience.

John

AH, PETE.... PADDLIN' YER OWN CANOE MUST BE A BIT CHILLY AROUND THE THWARTS AT THIS TIME O' THE YEAR, AND THAT CAN GIVE YER TERRIBLE CHIN-COUGH. WELCOME BACK INTO THE WARMTH OLD MATE.

MIKE.


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Mike Barton

ro5=6372 wrote:

jireland wrote:

Wow, a blast from the past, I can hear the bugles a playing!!!

John

DON'T BE IN A RUSH JOHN,OTHER THAN REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY,ALL THE PEOPLE I'VE SOUNDED HONOURS FOR THIS YEAR,A Lt Col,A CHIEF PETTY OFFICER,A BOOTNECK,A R.A.F. PILOT,AND A LADY FROM THE W.R.A.C.s. WERE IN BOXES!

Maybe on walls, next time ... and by the tens of thousand, unhappily. We must get you over to the Menin Gate, Thiepval, Loos and a few other Memorials, Pete.

Good to see you back online.

Barry


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BarryF, who fought for the Right to Wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia

[quote="jireland"]Wow, a blast from the past, I can hear the bugles a playing!!!

John[/quote]
DON'T BE IN A RUSH JOHN,OTHER THAN REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY,ALL THE PEOPLE I'VE SOUNDED HONOURS FOR THIS YEAR,A Lt Col,A CHIEF PETTY OFFICER,A BOOTNECK,A R.A.F. PILOT,AND A LADY FROM THE W.R.A.C.s. WERE IN BOXES!

""



Last edited by StanW on Mon Apr 14, 2008 12:34 am; edited 1 time in total

Wow, a blast from the past, I can hear the bugles a playing!!!

John

[


The upshot of it all, is, that life is an uncertainty, except when dealing with the MoD, then it makes it a certainty that you are going to get stuffed, one way or the other, and that is not a maybe.

Yours Aye... maybe

Arthur[/quote]
KIN'L ARFUR,THATS SO GOOD ITS BROUGHT ME OUT OF EXILE! BYE NOW

Good on yer, Arthur!

And it goes back to those who were not allowed to have a "passing interest" in their own welfare....and I'm talking about enlightened times... beyond a bullet as a cure for shell-shock. How about, "That atom bomb about to explode will do you no harm whatsoever, lads. You can either cover your eyes with your hands or stick your fingers in your ears." Or, "This cocktail of drugs is a quite harmless little dose of stuff to keep you going in case there are enemy chemicals about while you chase Saddam back to Iraq."

Yours Aye, always, Arthur.

MB


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Mike Barton

Arthur R-S. I think you have just put in writing, the words that sum up the whole b****y issue. Thank you!!!!! Dave


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I like it here on MY planet. If you wish to visit, you are welcome,
but your sanity is not my responsibilty!

You've no doubt all heard/read today's news item about the "leaked" memo in which the CDS reports some damning comments made by today's squaddies. There has been a reported response from the MoD and I attach a few samples here. While I can agree that the comments may not be fully representative, becauase we do not know the breakdown of those whose comments have been reported, I was very concerned at the use of the expression "unedited comments". Clearly those in power within the MoD do not want the British public (who pay their waged) to learn anything that has not first been subjected to their spin drier. I find this a very disturbing corruption of the democratic principles on which this nation is supposedly founded.

Channel 4 News:
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence stressed the report represented the unedited views of individual soldiers which were not necessarily widely representative.
Daily Mail:
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence stressed that the report represented the unedited views of individual soldiers which were not necessarily widely representative.
IC Essex:
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence stressed that the report represented the unedited views of individual soldiers which were not necessarily widely representative
Sky News:
A Ministry of Defence spokesman stressed the report represented the unedited views of individual soldiers which were not necessarily widely representative.
GerryL



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Gerald Law (ex RAF Borneo Veteran)