MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Sir James Benjamin Dutton appointed Governor of Gibraltar
Lieutenant-General Sir James Benjamin Dutton KCB CBE has been appointed Governor of Gibraltar and will take his appointment during next December. Sir James succeeds Vice-Admiral Sir Adrian Johns KCB CBE. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesThree cheers for the Guvner, Hip, hip, Hoorah, Hip,Hip,Hoorah,Hip,Hip,Hoorah
Sep 19th, 2013 - 07:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0we second that..
Sep 19th, 2013 - 07:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0He sounds extremely experienced and well qualified.
Sep 19th, 2013 - 08:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0He sounds extremely experienced and well qualified...to run another British colonial relic in the 21st century.
Sep 20th, 2013 - 04:22 am - Link - Report abuse 0an evolving modern state. As opposed to an imploding “banana republic”, like Argentina and a failed Fascist experiment like Spain, Marcos.
Sep 20th, 2013 - 05:20 am - Link - Report abuse 0@4 Marcos
Sep 20th, 2013 - 10:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0The British appoint an experienced diplomat to an important post, where there is a dispute with another country.
Argentina appoints an inexperienced, amateurish trolly dolly to an important post, where there is a dispute with another country.
It is Argentina that is the relic - always living in that one 'perfect' moment in 1833 - you know the one, don't you? The one where your 'perfect' United Provinces soldiers murdered their commanding officer, raped his wife before her children's eyes, and then ran amok around the islands threatening the safety of the civilians colonists.
Britain has moved on from it's imperial past. Argentina desperately attempts to turn back the clock to it's imperial days.
So Argentina is definitely the relic here. The old man sat in the corner, remembering the 'good old days', when Argentina was a murderous, imperial, colonial expansionist country.
And would be again a murderous, imperial, colonial expansionist country....................................if they could!
Sep 20th, 2013 - 10:58 am - Link - Report abuse 0Hello,
Sep 20th, 2013 - 11:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0I have long held affection for the Royal Marines –shortly prior to our ill-advised, 1950’s invasion of the Suez Canal, I helped to train some of their Signals personnel, so I wish their former boss well.
However, Sir James’ appointment, is pretty BLOODY OBVIOUS, ain’t it!!! He not only has an illustrious military background but close links to the Pentagon, too. Not nearly so laudable is the General’s association, in Gabon, with U.S. multinational engineering concern, Bechtel –an outfit I’ve personally seen in action in the Third World, too.
And unless I’m much mistaken, Bechtel made a mint out of Coalition’s taxpayers by PARTIALLY rebuilding Iraq’s infrastructure, which had been previously destroyed at our PUBLIC EXPENSE, during our second war with that country’s Hussein regime. Of course, some would argue that the monies involved will be recouped with interest, from future Iraqi oil revenues. But no one says into WHO’S to pockets this cash will go. And few others bother to ascribe a value to the many thousands of innocent lives sacrificed during our imperialist adventure...
If I were a Gibraltarian, I’d be actively seeking SELF GOVERNMENT. If the Rock were independent, its inhabitants could CHOOSE to stay within the Commonwealth / E.U. and ELECT their OWN Governor, make their OWN defence treaties with N.A.T.O. and/or others, et cetera. Furthermore, any Spanish harassment would be seen as that toward another, sovereign state.
Cheers!
Jim, in Madrid.
Jim
Sep 20th, 2013 - 02:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You sound like a troll who is desperately trying to convince everyone that he is British.
The people of Gibraltar already HAVE their own government. They already look after themselves.
The Governor, which if you were truly British you would know, is the Queen's representative only - a stand in if you like. And as the Queen's representative, the Governor has about as many power's as the Queen, that is to say, very few.
Gibraltar prefers to remain a British Overseas Territory. That is what they want. That is them exercising their right to self-determination. If and when the day comes when they want to become completely independent from the UK, then the UK will assist them in every way possible to achieve that.
But until then, Britain will continue to train the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, continue to protect Gibraltarian waters, and continue to defend Gibraltar from it's aggressive and illegally acting bully of a neighbour.
And that is what upsets people like you most, isn't it Jim? The fact that Britain won't allow Spain to just walk in and take what they want, or allow Spain to bully, harass and intimidate their smaller neighbour.
Eats at your gut, doesn't it Jim?
9 LEPRecon.
Sep 20th, 2013 - 05:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Perhaps for my ancestral sins, I AM a true Briton. I was Born at Oxford in 1932, of a family who’s origins are about 85 parts Welsh, 10% Irish (hence my surname) and the rest, odds and sods. I was educated at Hereford during WWII. Subsequently, I became a professional soldier, even serving the Crown in one of its foreign wars –albeit under legal, U.N. sanction. What have YOU –hiding behind your pseudo-Irish moniker– done for YOUR country, Lad? However, my military experiences quickly convinced me that devoting one’s life to maiming and killing one’s fellow men is hardly a PRODUCTIVE Modus Vivendi.
GIBRALTAR IS NOT SELF-GOVERNING! Two of its most important interests –Defence and Foreign Affairs– are ultimately subject to the whims of Westminster.
I may be wrong but I personally feel that if the Rock were TRULY INDEPENDENT, it would be much better able to rebut the ‘colonialist’ taunts so often levied by the Madrid and other governments...
If the Gibraltar’s Governor has no REAL power, there seems little point in wasting taxpayers’ money to keep him in post...
By the way, I lived in Gibraltar, during part of Franco’s siege!
So IF you have a DETAILED knowledge of the facts of the matter, perhaps we might both profit by furthering this discussion. Otherwise, kindly desist from uttering uninformed codswallop!
Cheers!
Jim, in Madrid.
@10
Sep 20th, 2013 - 06:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Jim, 40 years resident in Spain makes you more Spanish than British.
And when you correspond with the 'Socialist Worker' your politics are somewhat 'left of mainstream thinking.'
@10 Jim
Sep 20th, 2013 - 07:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Yes they are self-governing EXCEPT for defence and foreign policy.
However, Gibraltarian foreign policy and the defence of Gibraltar IS planned hand in hand with the government of Gibraltar. It isn't the UK dictating what should or should not happen.
You are deluded if you believe otherwise.
Spain will never get is grubby hands on Gibraltar UNLESS the people of Gibraltar wish it.
Your socialist claptrap rings hollow. Your perceived service to your country also runs hollow. Assuming you really are British (which I am still not convinced), you have spent the last 40 years living in a different world.
The Britain of today is nothing like the Britain you claim to have abandoned. It is a more mature place, which prizes freedom above all else. And this Britain is more than willing to do the right thing and not take the easy way out.
As for who I am, I am an person of Anglo-Irish descent who served in the British Army, for many years, as a medic. I have seen more, and done more for MY country than you could ever imagine.
I am now a civilian, who trained as a nurse, and I am now helping to look after those soldiers you dismiss so casually, as maiming and killing your fellow human beings. It makes me realise that you never really served at all.
No professional British soldier glories in the killing of anyone, not even the enemy. Your cynicism and hatred shows through your 'carefully' constructed reply.
And as for not knowing what the power of the Governor is DEFINITELY makes you a troll. A British citizen would know what a governor is, and what their powers are.
I even stated, in my post above, that the Governor is the Queen's representative.
Now IF you had been a professional soldier, as you claim, you would certainly understand the rules and responsibilities of Her Majesty, and therefore, of Her Governors, as these are taught to all soldiers.
The fact that you don't speaks VOLUMES.
11 Brit Bob.
Sep 20th, 2013 - 07:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I fear you’re simply yet another self-proclaimed patriot, HIDING behind a self aggrandizing pseudonym.
How on earth do you know exactly what I’ve been doing during the past four decades or claim to be able to read my personal sentiments?
May I ask exactly what YOU have DONE during YOUR ‘HIDDEN’ life, for the furtherance of those QUINTESSENTIALLY BRITISH values –JUSTICE and DEMOCRACY– which you claim to treasure so dearly, other than wildly speculate on others’ POSSIBLE actions and motives for doing so ???
Do me a favour Mate! Stop making totally unsubstantiated claims about the supposed conduct of others and stick to the FACTS of the matter!
By the way, may I remind you that the Gibraltarian ethnic identity is overwhelmingly LATINO –in YOUR words, they’re just another bunch of WOGS whom you and your racist fellows take such delight in deriding on these pages.
Cheers!
Jim.
@13
Sep 20th, 2013 - 07:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You have evidently lost the plot. I have never been, or aspired to be a racist but your 'socialist worker politic' have been exposed.
So much for the voice of reason approach, eh?
Never ever heard a Brit call a Mediterranean a Wog...a spic or a wop maybe...
Sep 20th, 2013 - 07:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It's Aussies that use the term wog for Mediterranean's.
.....just saying....
Politics of Gibraltar
Sep 20th, 2013 - 07:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0the Government of Gibraltar is not subordinate to the Government of the United Kingdom. The British Government, however, is responsible for defence and external affairs but Gibraltar has full internal self-government under its 2006 Constitution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Gibraltar
…
This may help to elevate some questions…
Justa thought..
.
12 LEPRecon,
Sep 20th, 2013 - 08:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Yes. But have you ever been to war and seen one of your closest friends terribly TOASTED before your eyes, by a Chinese soldier wielding a flamethrower?
Your understanding of Britain’s 20th century socio-cultural evolution ain’t anywhere as great as you assert. For now, the Chinese are our highly respected friends, on whom we rely to prop up our ailing economy with their massive inward investments. Come awf it, Lad. I may be a daft ol’ sod but I certainly ain’t a complete idiot!!! You young shavers should grow up, ‘get some service in’ and above all, learn NEVER to trust politicians of ANY persuasion whatsoever. They’re almost all self-serving chancers on whom one may consistently rely to feather their own nests, rather than to fight for the common good!
Incidentally, contrary to your speculation, I ain’t spent the past 40 years’ sat on my fat ol’ arse, here in Spain...
Jim.
@17 -Jim
Sep 21st, 2013 - 10:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0I have seen more war than you have. I have seen my friends killed, wounded and maimed, following IED detonations and other battle injuries.
I have treated many soldiers, and civilians - some of whom were children, with terrible injuries.
You don't impress me with your “I was in the army so I know I'm right” attitude.
As I said. If you really had been a professional soldier, you wouldn't be so ignorant of the role of Governors in British Overseas Territories, or as they were back then colonies.
You would also understand, that sometimes, as soldiers you have to make sacrifices for the greater good.
I now work with injured soldiers who have suffered terribly, and lost limbs, traumatic head injuries, who have seen their friends killed in action right next to them. Most of these men suffer from PTSD.
This is why your 'story' doesn't come across as 'quite' right. Far too self-pitying. Both my grandfathers fought in WW2 - one was English the other Irish. My English grandfather also fought in Korea in the 50's. He saw many of his friends wounded and killed too - yet he was NEVER self-pitying. He also helped liberated Belsan Concentration Camp, and had to deal with the horrors he found there. But he was never self-pitying. I lost 2 great uncles in world war 2, my mother's brothers. Yet my mother was never self-pitying.
You act like you ARE the only one to have ever suffered, and it is sickening. I smell a WALT.
I would also suggest that you know nothing of the UK today, and are judging on how you supposedly 'remember' it.
15 A_Voice.
Sep 21st, 2013 - 01:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Re: Never heard a Brit. call a Mediterranean a Wog:
Then I’m afraid your education in the ‘Classics’ is sadly incomplete. Have you never heard the ancient English adage, “The Wogs begin at Dover”? Not that I care too much about such racist prejudice. After all, we Celts (Cornishmen, Irish, Manxmen, Scots and Welsh) –who inhabited Britain many centuries before the English set up shop– have long since learned to graciously accept ‘delicate compliments’ such as the 1950’s London boarding-house placards proudly proclaiming, NO DOGS, NO BLACKS, NO IRISH, etc– in the time-honoured spirit of military piss-taking
16 Briton.
Re: the Gibraltar gov’t isn’t subordinate to Westminster:
Not much, Mate. If it weren’t for British taxpayer funded, U.K. military backing, the Spaniards would take over the place tomorrow. Please read my previous posts CAREFULLY...
18 LEPRecon,
Re: I’ve seen more war than you:
Swing the lamp Lad and then get back into your frigging hammock. This ain’t an officer cadets’ ‘Who has the biggest Willy competition’. Why not show me all YOUR medals and scars, so we can REALLY see who has the more?
Re my knowledge of the U.K.
One of my sons lives in Richmond upon Thames. I spent most of last month at his home.
I’m certainly NOT sorry for myself. Quite to the contrary. I’m exceptionally fortunate. I’ve had a great life, making lots of true friends in many countries. And at 81, I still enjoy my swimming, organically produced ‘rations’, pipe tobacco, fine wines, German malt beers and above all, having lots of loving sex with my 37 years’ old West African girlfriend.
You young lads shouldn’t waste so much time playing with the P.C. You ought to get out more and HAVE FUN!!!!
Cheers!
Jim.
@15 & 19
Sep 21st, 2013 - 02:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0In the 21st century, 'Wog' is considered to be a slang word employed as an ethnic or racial slur and is considered derogatory and offensive.
Comment removed by the editor.
Sep 21st, 2013 - 03:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Jim
Sep 21st, 2013 - 05:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You are a walt, and I claim my £5.
Pathetic.
Dame Dover was an ex-serviceman who had a dislike of the 'English' too
Sep 21st, 2013 - 05:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@21
Sep 21st, 2013 - 05:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Your condescending attitude and aggressive comments that you have been making shows that your arguments are weak.
19
Sep 21st, 2013 - 05:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I will most certainly agree my education in the “Classics” will probably always be incomplete yet still, far greater than most people.
Enough that is, to know a remark made in a parliamentary debate in 1945 hardly constitutes a lacking in classical education...btw. the remark was “The wogs begin at Calais”, sometimes paraphrased as “Wogs start at the Channel” or “Wogs start at Dover”....but you know this already...after you looked it up on the net, realising your blunder.
Again I have never ever heard a Brit refer to a Mediterranean as a wog...are you really an Aussie?
Eyeties, Wops, Spics, Frogs, Dago's....not Wogs!
Please give us more background on your UK...(web) knowledge and heritage as the more you say, the more likely you will slip-up. The cuckoo's always do.
You say you were born April 1932 in Oxfordshire...I'm sorry to piss on your fire but that would make you English...not Welsh!
As for the term Celt...it is more of a cultural expression and not a race of people and very difficult for British people to actually prove, as the Isles were occupied by various races.....Vikings in Ireland...the Picts, the Gaels, the Britons, with the Angles/Saxons in Scotland.
Still ..I do enjoy your posts....don't let me hold you back, you appear to be a man of true conviction.....you hate everyone!
19 JimHandley
Sep 21st, 2013 - 07:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I did read your post,
And you may or may not have a point, I was merely showing what the web page states,
Perhaps the confusion may lie in the past / future, as things evolve and change,
Yes in the past it probably was controlled by us, and invested by us,
But over the years, [seeing that certain countries are trying to get them by default]
De colonizing ect, the government gives them more power to control their own affairs,
To the stage where they become self governing territories,
But we control defense and foreign affairs.
Some ex empire countries did I believe algimate them into part of their own country,
Or should I say part of France , Spain , ect ect, but for some reason Britain went the other way,
Perhaps things will again change in the future especially if we withdraw from the EU, as Gibraltar would then, [I imaging] have to decide if they come with us or stay in the EU.
But as to who actually controls Gibraltar full stop,
Well as we all know, these crafty politicians write things, into things, to suit themselves,
But of course this is only my opinion,
And I may well be totally of course..
Thanks.
.
25 A_Voice
Sep 21st, 2013 - 07:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Re: Wogs and Dover:
Thanks for your reply. I don’t agree with EVERYTHING you say but at least you made me laugh! Your comments are –unlike the pompous tripe one customarily reads in these messages– intelligent and entertaining!
You say that Parliament is the true origin of ‘The Wogs beginning at Dover’. I’ll accept your word. ‘Cos I don’t really know and I can’t be fagged to check the facts. I first heard the phrase from a Grenadiers’ C.S.M. after –as very young soldier–, I’d big headedly tried to countermand an embarkation order he’d just given to our Co. Of course, he promptly put me in my proper place publicly, and taught me a lesson I’ve never forgotten. Anyway, my original comment on the matter was simply made as a feeble attempt at jocularity, which has obviously backfired on me!
Of course, I ain’t a bloody Ozzie, I ain’t got any chain marks on me bleeding ankle, Cobber (JOKE!!!)
Good Luck!
Jim.
“Jim” and “Voice”, quite chummy
Sep 21st, 2013 - 09:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 026 Briton.
Sep 21st, 2013 - 10:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Re: Gibraltar’s political future:
Indubitably, YOU may be right, too, Mate. And I must say that I’m ALMOST seduced by SOME of the policies proposed by Farage’s U.K.I.P., especially that which advocates our leaving the politically over prescriptive, E.U. Also, I feel that his recommendation that Gibraltarians should elect their own representative/s to Westminster, merits serious attention. However, I note that he doesn’t seem to suggest the same suffrage for the peoples of certain other overseas territories, especially those with majority black populations –or does he?
Furthermore, I ain’t at all keen on U.K.I.P.’s stance on Climate Change, the fact that Farage is a Fat Cat Banker, nor that he shows so many signs of being an overbearing demagogue, hellbent on trying to sell us a miraculous snake oil on the cheap.
Anyway, it ain’t up to you nor me. The Llanitos will obviously please themselves and in another hundred years’ time, neither you, I, nor so many others, will give a tuppenny toss.
Cheers!
Jim.
28
Sep 21st, 2013 - 10:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Quite chummy Troy?...aren't we quite chummy?
Whatever ☀Sunny☀ Jim..pardon the pun (Sonny..Madrid) says, he doesn't tow the line, he says what he thinks and doesn't jump on the sycophant bandwagon and can hold his own....give as much as he takes...
...I like that....doesn't make us chummy!
...If I can catch him out... I will, but no cigar for me yet!
28 Troy Tempest.
Sep 21st, 2013 - 10:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Re: my rapprochement with A_Voice:
No big deal, Mate. Just two daft ol’ buggers trying to bury the hachet and hold a rational conversation, for a change. Make Love, Not War! –I don’t know about you Lad but I’ve already had far too much of the latter...
From just where on God’s earth did you dig up your 1920’s Hollywood, Rudolph Valentino-like pseudonym?
I’ll bet you look stunning in your see-through negligee...
GIVE US A KISS, LOVER BOY!
Cheers!
Jim.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E06cNv55jTs
Sep 21st, 2013 - 11:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0That's right.....a puppet or as Gerry Anderson would say.... supermarionation
32 A_Voice.
Sep 21st, 2013 - 11:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Re: TROY TEMPEST.
Good Lord Almighty!
So THAT’S where the name comes from. I REALLY AM getting old and out of touch. We certainly live and learn...
He’s our very own, home-grown, resident Superman. Ain’t we lucky!
Cheers!
Jim.
@JimHandley,
Sep 22nd, 2013 - 07:10 am - Link - Report abuse 0l was under the impression that the origin of “Wog” was British Army slang for Civilian Egyptians who worked for the Army.
Embroidered on their jackets, provided by the Army was W.O.G.S.
Which stood for Workers On Government Service.
l think they were mainly employed in laying railway track.
Not meant originally derogatory, but soon applied to all Egyptians.
Then Australian troops picked it up in WWI & as someone else said, applied it to mediterranean peoples.
Not nice in this day & age.
34 lsolde
Sep 22nd, 2013 - 09:11 am - Link - Report abuse 0Re: Wogs, et cetera:
That’s possibly true, Mate. But for me, Wog has always been a term of affection. ‘Cos mistakenly perhaps, I’ve long thought the name derives from that used to denote a Gollywog (a child’s doll, characterising a fuzzy haired Hottentot) As a small boy, I had one myself. I used to cower in bed, desperately hugging the battered little bugger, fearfully listening to the Heinkel bombers droning overhead, en route to bomb the shite out of Birmingham and Coventry...
Also, I once belonged to a small unit comprised of a bunch of incorrigible lunatics of several different nationalities. One of our best beloved comrades was a huge, muscular, rugby playing Maori. We would jokingly refer to him as our “Big Fat Nigger”. To which he would laughingly reply, F*ck Awf, you miserable, moonfaced little midgets!” (always, strictly off duty, of course) I was often called “That loquacious, semiliterate Welsh Wog”.
Happy days, free from the cares of insidious Political Correctitude!!!
Anyhow, I reckon we’ve just about exhausted this daft argument. So maybe we’d better hit it on the head and move on to summat more interesting...
Good Luck to All.
Jim.
JimHandley
Sep 22nd, 2013 - 06:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Under the terms of the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht if the British crown were to relinquish Gibraltar it would be obliged to offer the territory to Spain first. This has been interpreted as barring independence for Gibraltar unless Spain agrees. This position is accepted by Britain, Spain and Gibraltar.
The position of Governor is a figurehead who represents the Queen in her absence and who has no direct role in governing the territory.
The territory is largely self governing, the government and legislature being in control of the tax system, education, health, transport etc, etc. The UK is responsible for defence and foreign affairs, which it does in consultation with the elected Gibraltarian government. It’s not a question of all or nothing. Just because the UK has the final say on defence doesn’t imply the territory is not self governing or democratic.
Richmond-upon-Thames is my favourite London suburb, wonderful views from the hill above the Thames, where Mick Jagger has a house. I often cycle in the park.
You may be aware therefore that using derogatory adjectives like “wog” is pretty much beyond the social pale in civilised company. Political correctness has nothing to do with anything. It’s purely a question of treating people with respect and courtesy and knowingly avoiding using derogatory words which insult and cause offence.
Avoice and Jim
Sep 22nd, 2013 - 08:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Two trolls talking to each other.
Of course, “Jim” the described innocent child victim of war, would be snuggling with his politically incorrect “gollywog”, yes Jim, we know what they are and they are usually referred to as “gollys” by Brits and it is taken for granted that was how it was back then. I has one myself, thanks, but none of my generation refer to black people as “wogs”, LOL.
It's odd that as an Oxfordshire born, “Welshman” raised in the South of England, you would have such an aversion to England and being identified as an “Englishman”.
As to Isolde,
I am surprised that you as a “Celt” are not familiar with the story of Tristan & Isolde.
Isolde is of course, a woman, and you refer to her as “mate”.
Keep up the charade.
36 rupertbrooks0:
Sep 22nd, 2013 - 08:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Fair enough, my poetic young friend. However, I really ain’t got the time nor the wit needed to pen even a précis of British constitutional precedence. But I used to live in Gib. So I ain’t quite as ignorant as you believe. Many years’ ago, I commanded a small British military detachment, sent from Hong Kong, to salute the incoming, Portuguese Gov. of Macao –if you know where THAT is?
Another fellow I find far worthier than the Stones, also lives in Richmond –David Attenborough...
12 LEPRecon et al:
Re: The Present State of Britain’s Military Forces.
I do ‘umbly apologize for changing my mind and returning yet again, to bore everyone out of his mind.
But I’ve just carefully reread LEPRecon’s pompous, auto-adulatory post, so enthusiastically extolling his own previous military sacrifices.
And I really must say that nowadays, our Armed Forces are but a faint shadow of their former selves. For first off, our effeminate politicians lack the guts to finance properly, our bellicose adventures. Rather, they vainly, publicly preen themselves, like drama queens, in a pathetic attempt to make themselves look good on the international stage. Today, too many of our piss-poor parliamentarians expect our lads to sacrifice themselves on the altar of the gods of underfunded, politically correct idealism.
But that ain’t all...
Nowadays, our service people are expected to complete a WHOLE, SIX MONTH’S tour of active duty, after which, they’re flown home to be cosseted in cotton wool...
During WWII, many men were away from home for FIVE YEARS’ or more, at a stretch. And if and when they finally DID get back, they were largely left to lift themselves off their own unhappy arses and fend for themselves, ‘cos POST TRAUMATIC STRESS had yet to be “INVENTED”. And Gawd forbid that those old soldiers’ families should’ve DARED to try to sue the then correctly called WAR MINISTRY (now euhemeristically rebranded as the Ministry of Defence, merely to conform to a prese
Did you run out of space....there you go.....
Sep 22nd, 2013 - 08:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0....and don't be using those Yankee spellings it makes me suspicious....apologise is the British way.....carry on....
39 A_Voice
Sep 22nd, 2013 - 09:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0See this: Apologise vs. apologize – Grammarist.
I was taught during WWII, by old fogies who trained during the 19th century and had been dragged out of retirement, in order to replace their young colleagues who’d gone off to war. Anyway, I’ve already admitted to being a semiliterate Welsh Wog. And the fact that I’m forced to earn an ‘umble crust by writing in Portuguese, Spanish and INTERNATIONAL English don’t exactly ‘elp, Mr Micawber. That’s my excuse, anyway!
MY PREVIOUS MISSIVE –PART II.
During WWII, many men were away from home for FIVE YEARS’ or more, at a stretch. And if and when they finally DID get back home, they were largely left to lift themselves up off their own unhappy arses and fend for themselves, ‘cos POST TRAUMATIC STRESS had yet to be “INVENTED”. And Gawd forbid that those old soldiers’ families should’ve DARED to try to sue the then correctly called WAR MINISTRY (now euhemeristically rebranded as the Ministry of Defence, merely to conform to a presently fashionable P.C. dictact) ‘COS THE INFELICITOUS PLAINTIFFS WOULD’VE BEEN IMMEDIATELY LAUGHED OUT OF COURT!
Even in my own post-1948 days, those killed in foreign fields were STILL, simply laid to rest where they’d fallen. To be have been flown home at taxpayer expense and honoured by a ceremonial military interment, one would have needed to be at least a bleeding General and an exceptionally heroic bugger, to boot!
Lately, we hear much talk of IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES. But they’re not really new. In my day, we called very similar artefacts, BOOBY TRAPS. I was almost knocked-off by one, myself...
Of course, I sincerely support all efforts to alleviate any genuine hardship suffered by our current and former comrades. But perhaps the self-serving, manipulative, Popular Media’s hysterical, tear-jerking rhetoric has tipped rationality’s balance a wee bit too far toward the excruciating, ersatz, almost Wagnerian, romantically epic heroism, that now sells so many ‘papers to the CHA
38 JimHandley
Sep 22nd, 2013 - 09:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I never claimed you were ignorant, I was merely offering up some information. Of course I know where Macau is, just west along the coast from Honker. Bit of a gambling capital these days I hear. I can assure youPost traumatic stress certainly existed in 1945, it just wasn't recognised or treated. In WW1 it was labelled shell-shock. I'm not convinced our military are a shadow of their former selves. I have the impression that physical entry requirements are much more demanding, the army just doesn't take anyone. The overall professionalism has certainly increased. The recent achievements in the field are pretty impressive considering the very finite resources they have available.
41 rupertbrooks0
Sep 22nd, 2013 - 10:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Re: The overall professionalism has certainly increased...
Lamentably, competence ain’t QUITE enough. From past personal experience, I fear that today we’re unfortunately rather short on long-term guts and staying power.
MY PREVIOUS MISSIVE -PART III
Of course, I sincerely support all efforts to alleviate any genuine hardship suffered by our current and former comrades. But perhaps the self-serving, manipulative, Popular Media’s hysterical, tear-jerking rhetoric has tipped rationality’s balance a wee bit too far toward the excruciating, ersatz, almost Wagnerian, romantically epic heroism, that now sells so many ‘papers to the CHATTERING CLASSES? –It’s hardly surprising that in countries such as Australia, we Brits have become so widely known as WHINGING BLOODY POMMIES; nor that our ancient kingdom has sunk so far down the frigging pan that it must essentially, be ruled by unelected, Brussels’ bureaucrats
That’s it, Lads! Sgt Major, Fall ‘em out, please and tell ‘em ALL to bugger-off down to the Pub and give me rest!’
Jim.
Yet another account obsessed with telling us all about their ancestry...oh why do these puppets bother?
Sep 22nd, 2013 - 11:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The JimHandley account has already been busted, as has A_Voice. I wonder if their huge number of posts brings in more advertising revenue to Mercopress?
43
Sep 22nd, 2013 - 11:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Ah hah! ....The Crappiest Cuckoo is back.....Where did you say you were from again?....;-)))))
I've been busted.. Where....when..by whom?
.....No history from me...No Ancestry from me....Not even a Nationality... or a Location.
You foreign Cuckoo you!
♬...From out of a wood did a cuckoo fly, ♬
Cuckoo,
He came to the forum with joyful cry,
Cuckoo;
He hopped, he curtsied, round he flew,
And loud his jubilation grew,
♬ Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo. ♬
More 'love songs' for attention?
Sep 23rd, 2013 - 03:31 am - Link - Report abuse 0How sweet!
;-))))) ...I have a song for every occasion.....and that one was a Christmas Carol actually...but it works!
Sep 23rd, 2013 - 10:18 am - Link - Report abuse 0I'm here, there, I'm everywhere
I can't be seen, I'm all over
Ya nah wat I mean!?!
@44 A_Voice of Thinko:
Sep 23rd, 2013 - 12:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You busted yourself Thinko..................within your first few posts .......................................you simply can't help yourself......................... same old same old............................your (impressive) knowledge of the British Isles does not help you
47
Sep 23rd, 2013 - 01:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You busted yourself with your unimpressive knowledge of English diction....
Oh for goodness sake, not the ellipses............
...is that it?
It's a habit I developed through laziness on the mobile, to put a comma sending a text you need to select the symbols key.... but not for a full stop, to create a pause...can't break the habit now.
Also for some strange reason if you leave more than a single space on here to create a break to emphasise a Point or Significant word it automatically closes up and doesn't appear....unlike here.....Point or ....Significant ....word!
I wasn't even aware I was doing it until Mr Think brought it to my attention!
................................try and do this without ellipses!
48
Sep 23rd, 2013 - 02:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0twaddle
49
Sep 23rd, 2013 - 03:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Did you try and type...
Twaddle without the ellipses?
Twaddle
....................................................Twaddle..;-))))))
@48
Sep 23rd, 2013 - 03:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0.................. is not even what gave you away Thinko
but feel free to continue with your excuses
Chuckle Chuckle
51
Sep 23rd, 2013 - 03:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Oh no! Not another....I know a secret, but I'm not going to tell you...
You will never catch me out.....
......A white cool cat with a trilby hat...
52avoiceover
Sep 23rd, 2013 - 06:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“Oh no! Not another....I know a secret, but I'm not going to tell you...”
What? “Avoiceof Thinkedover”, that was exactly YOUR M.O. just a month ago.
Everyone,
Sep 24th, 2013 - 12:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I’M OBSESSED BY MY ANCESTRY –priceless, coming from a vociferous, pure 24-carat plastic, British, pseudo-patriot.
I KNOW EVERYTHING –I’ll try to paraphrase simply, an hoary Spanish adage –OLD NICK KNOWS SO MUCH, NOT ‘COS HE’S THE VERY DEVIL HIMSELF BUT ‘COS HE’S BEEN AROUND FOR SO VERY, VERY LONG, AND ALL OVER THE WORLD!
I SPELLED APOLOGIZE WRONGLY –not strictly true (debatable at least?) The word derives from the Greek (check the FACTS) Popular Press usage doesn’t automatically confer linguistic rigour. And didn’t the man who contradicted me also use “TOW (toe) the line” and few other classic, schoolboy howlers, too?
I’VE BEEN BUSTED (DEMOTED?) –Some of you are so good at meaninglessly mouthing trendy American teenagers’ vacuous argot.
WOGS ETC –PROSCRIBED TERMS? It would kinder to do more to PRACTICALLY help the hundred–thousands’ kids in Sub-Saharan Africa. My grandma always said, “Silly words are free. Good deeds cost money”. Notwithstanding, it’s alright to insult ALL Argentineans on these pages. So is British popular urbanity now dictated by fleeting, politically expedient fads and are THE ELDERLY STILL FAIR GAME TO BE RIDICULED FOR THEIR PHYSICAL SINGULARITIES?
How many readers remember the Welsh Guardsman so badly burned in Falkland’s campaign? I don’t hear HIM constantly whinging over his fate, senselessly slagging-off his former Argentinean adversaries nor incessantly extolling PERCEIVED British virtues as a paragon for all humanity (dangerously –as do the Americans– we now believe almost all our own HOLLOWLY BOMBASTIC flag-waving propaganda) Like a TRUE old soldier, TAFFY (and others, of course) got up off his arse and got on with life!
WE WESTERNERS HAVE BECOME FAR TOO SOFT ON OURSELVES –dreadful as they were, events such as 9/11 were miniscule, compared to Hitler’s WWII bombing of his civilian enemies. But we Brits had to resist the onslaughts for MONTHS’ on end, subsisting mainly on semi-rough bread, boiled potatoes, carrots and other
54
Sep 24th, 2013 - 02:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It appears I'm not the only one that uses this phrase incorrectly!
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/Tow+the+line
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/Tow+the+line
I have always thought it to be Tow not toe as I have never looked at the origins of the idiom.....a line could have easily been a rope which would fit with Tow..
Lets just accept the fact that I caught you out using an American spelling of the word Apologise.....an old school chappy from Oxfordshire educated, old school at Herefordshire or was it Hertfordshire, wouldn't be able to make this mistake it would be like typing Colour ..Color or Tyre as Tire....it just doesn't happen.... especially for an old fogey!
Again not knowing the name Isolde from Celtic Myth and not knowing the Classic British television series Stingray from the sixties....I suppose you have never heard of Thunderbirds either!
BTW Hitlers bombing was nothing compared to the British and American bombing of Dresden...
The Allied air superiority meant that many of the 1,300 bombers got through to their target. The RAF spearheaded their attack with Lancaster bombers while the USAAF used their B-17 Flying Fortresses.
In all, over three waves of attacks, 3,300 tons of bombs were dropped on the city. Many of the bombs that were dropped were incendiary bombs. These created so much fire that a firestorm developed. The more the city burned, the more oxygen was sucked in – and the greater the firestorm became. It is thought that the temperature peaked at 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. The surface of roads melted and fleeing people found that their feet were burned as they ran. Some jumped into reservoirs built in the city centre to assist firefighters. However, these were ten feet deep, smooth-sided and had no ladders - many drowned. Very few of those in the city centre survived – those that did provided a vivid picture of what it was like to be in a firestorm.
BLAH BLAH BLAH....
Sep 24th, 2013 - 05:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Thinko
There is actually one or two amusing things in your posts, might I suggest it might be even funnier if capitano, DoD, or one of the other puppets chipped in with a “hear, hear!”
screenname
From outside your abode in Chubut, watching you log in and out of various accounts.
55 A_Voice et al.
Sep 24th, 2013 - 06:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0This is one of the many Web entries which give the lie to TOW THE LINE.
APOLOGIZE: check it again, anyway on my tiny Spanish keyboard S and Z are adjacent as are E and W on yours. So if you need silly excuse, you’ve got one right under your nose! Furthermore, words such as SHEW (TO SHOW) are no longer commonly written but as far as I’m aware, neither do they constitute ‘literary’ erroneous orthography.
I know about the Dresden massacre. I’ve NEVER condoned it, nor that of Hamburg, etc. Nor do I now. Strangely enough, WE precipitated the systematic campaigns of DELIBERATE MASS BOMBING OF CIVILIAN TARGETS. Early in WWII, the R.A.F. destroyed a beautiful, ancient, historic North W. German city (Lübeck, I think?) allegedly due to a navigational error. This supposedly accidental vandalism gave Hitler the perfect excuse he needed to administer a bit of comeuppance and so the aggression accelerated from both sides.
WARNING –never implicitly trust WIKIPEDIA. It’s NOT A RIGOROUS ACADEMIC WORK. It’s merely a useful, ‘Freebie Aide Memoir’ but it’s more often WRONG that its adepts imagine. Always compare IMPORTANT data to that given by least another 3, different, REPUTABLE sources. And, IF YOU’RE REALLY STUCK, ASK MY DEAR BEAUTIFUL WIFE. SHE KNOWS ALMOST EVERYTHING –NEARLY AS MUCH AS YOU, IN FACT.
PREVIOUS MESSAGE – Part II:
WE WESTERNERS HAVE BECOME FAR TOO SOFT ON OURSELVES –dreadful as they were, events such as 9/11 were miniscule, compared to Hitler’s WWII bombing of his civilian enemies. But we Brits had to resist the onslaughts for MONTHS’ on end, subsisting mainly on semi-rough bread, boiled potatoes, carrots and other insipid vegetables. Yet scientists say the kids of my generation were the healthiest we’ve ever had.
What will we do, should we be hit at home by another REAL war? –CRY, ‘cos we can’t use our mobile ‘phones nor take our kids easily walked distances to school, in huge, wasteful S.U.V’.s?
So before some wit tells me to “Hurry back to
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