[Angus]

Instead of the respect they deserve for putting their lives on the line in the service of their country, soldiers are mocked and derided. Now we have a thread speculating on whether steve "deserved" to be blown up by IRA scum. For those who were not around when England was on permanent alert against IRA terrorism, no doubt it's the fault of unfortunate bomb victims for being in the wrong place at the wrong time when they were blown to kingdom come. The terrorists weren't fussed who they killed; babies, children, elderly folk - everyone was a target not just soldiers. The IRA at that time were the Taliban of today - so thank God for men like Steve who sacrifice so much and have to live with the consequences without much help from the country they were prepared to die for.


Steve was 19 years old, in the army, and following orders when his life, as he had planned it, was changed forever, and now 20 odd years later people on a reality tv forum are questioning whether it was his "own fault". It's unbelievably disgusting, insensitive and offensive, not only to Steve but to his friends and family, and other injured and maimed servicemen.

By all means dislike the man if you find him boring or repugnant, but don't use his disability against him to judge him as a person. That to me is the very essence of discrimination.

[setanta]

Originally Posted by angus58

Instead of the respect they deserve for putting their lives on the line in the service of their country, soldiers are mocked and derided. Now we have a thread speculating on whether steve "deserved" to be blown up by IRA scum. For those who were not around when England was on permanent alert against IRA terrorism, no doubt it's the fault of unfortunate bomb victims for being in the wrong place at the wrong time when they were blown to kingdom come. The terrorists weren't fussed who they killed; babies, children, elderly folk - everyone was a target not just soldiers. The IRA at that time were the Taliban of today - so thank God for men like Steve who sacrifice so much and have to live with the consequences without much help from the country they were prepared to die for.

Steve was 19 years old, in the army, and following orders when his life, as he had planned it, was changed forever, and now 20 odd years later people on a reality tv forum are questioning whether it was his "own fault". It's unbelievably disgusting, insensitive and offensive, not only to Steve but to his friends and family, and other injured and maimed servicemen.

By all means dislike the man if you find him boring or repugnant, but don't use his disability against him to judge him as a person. That to me is the very essence of discrimination.

Yes, it's a silly thread, but there's no need for such emotive and provocative language Angus.

[Angus]

Originally Posted by setanta

Yes, it's a silly thread, but there's no need for such emotive and provocative language Angus.

I lived in London during the worst periods of IRA terrorism when everyone was being searched in and out of the department stores, stations, theatres etc, and post boxes and rubbish bins were sealed to prevent bombs being planted. I was working in central London at a time of high terrorist alert, and we lived in a permanent state of fear all the time. There were many bombing incidents in London as well as the rest of the country in which innocent men, women, children and babies were killed or maimed.

Specifically, on 17 December 1983 my worst nightmare came true when I was caught up in the Harrods bombing, and whilst not injured myself, saw people killed and injured in front of me, which traumatised me for some time. So yes, I will use "emotive" language, it's a part of my life that is still very vivid in my mind, and I don't require telling as to how to express myself.

I have no beef with the Irish people in general , but I do with the IRA whose terrorist activities were not just directed towards government targets like the poor buggers in the army, but towards innocent civilians who had no say in the conflict at all, so in my book they will always remain murdering cowards, and I have no intention of apologising for my opinion.

[MojoNixon]

Originally Posted by angus58

I lived in London during the worst periods of IRA terrorism when everyone was being searched in and out of the department stores, stations, theatres etc, and post boxes and rubbish bins were sealed to prevent bombs being planted. I was working in central London at a time of high terrorist alert, and we lived in a permanent state of fear all the time. There were many bombing incidents in London as well as the rest of the country in which innocent men, women, children and babies were killed or maimed.

Specifically, on 17 December 1983 my worst nightmare came true when I was caught up in the Harrods bombing, and whilst not injured myself, saw people killed and injured in front of me, which traumatised me for some time. So yes, I will use "emotive" language, it's a part of my life that is still very vivid in my mind, and I don't require telling as to how to express myself.

I have no beef with the Irish people in general , but I do with the IRA whose terrorist activities were not just directed towards government targets like the poor buggers in the army, but towards innocent civilians who had no say in the conflict at all, so in my book they will always remain murdering cowards, and I have no intention of apologising for my opinion.

Sadly some of young as*holes forget these things. They believe that UK & US soldiers are nazis, and everyone else are just "peace loving freedom fighters".

[Angus]

Originally Posted by MojoNixon

Sadly some of young as*holes forget these things. They believe that UK & US soldiers are nazis, and everyone else are just "peace loving freedom fighters".

True enough - but why do some idiots slag off those in the armed forces who are only doing their jobs and following official orders? Who do these morons think preserve our freedoms and defend us against our enemies? I guess I get more het up about this issue because of my personal experiences, but it isn't ancient history.

The enemy might have changed but we are still in the middle of a terrorist war in this country, and living in a major city like London, a prime target for terrorists, we are always watching our backs. It's not that long ago we had 7/7 and its never far from my mind whenever I get on the tube or a bus.

[setanta]

Originally Posted by angus58

I lived in London during the worst periods of IRA terrorism when everyone was being searched in and out of the department stores, stations, theatres etc, and post boxes and rubbish bins were sealed to prevent bombs being planted. I was working in central London at a time of high terrorist alert, and we lived in a permanent state of fear all the time. There were many bombing incidents in London as well as the rest of the country in which innocent men, women, children and babies were killed or maimed.

Specifically, on 17 December 1983 my worst nightmare came true when I was caught up in the Harrods bombing, and whilst not injured myself, saw people killed and injured in front of me, which traumatised me for some time. So yes, I will use "emotive" language, it's a part of my life that is still very vivid in my mind, and I don't require telling as to how to express myself.

I have no beef with the Irish people in general , but I do with the IRA whose terrorist activities were not just directed towards government targets like the poor buggers in the army, but towards innocent civilians who had no say in the conflict at all, so in my book they will always remain murdering cowards, and I have no intention of apologising for my opinion.

And don't start thinking that I'm in any way condoning the atrocities that did happen , but I'm merely suggesting that strongly worded comments don't really help matters, especially since both sides have their own particularly horrific memories to share during that period, and it's foolish and misguided to be comparing the Taliban to the Provos in N.I.

[WOMBAI]

Originally Posted by angus58

Instead of the respect they deserve for putting their lives on the line in the service of their country, soldiers are mocked and derided. Now we have a thread speculating on whether steve "deserved" to be blown up by IRA scum. For those who were not around when England was on permanent alert against IRA terrorism, no doubt it's the fault of unfortunate bomb victims for being in the wrong place at the wrong time when they were blown to kingdom come. The terrorists weren't fussed who they killed; babies, children, elderly folk - everyone was a target not just soldiers. The IRA at that time were the Taliban of today - so thank God for men like Steve who sacrifice so much and have to live with the consequences without much help from the country they were prepared to die for.


Steve was 19 years old, in the army, and following orders when his life, as he had planned it, was changed forever, and now 20 odd years later people on a reality tv forum are questioning whether it was his "own fault". It's unbelievably disgusting, insensitive and offensive, not only to Steve but to his friends and family, and other injured and maimed servicemen.

By all means dislike the man if you find him boring or repugnant, but don't use his disability against him to judge him as a person. That to me is the very essence of discrimination.

Excellent post!