What a sad story.

bloody criminal…

Absolutely… There are no other words to describe it.

Such a sad sad waste.

Re 54

VX 927

I’ve been a contributor to these Forums for a comparitively short time but, already, it is apparent that most do not accurately and thoroughly read, not just my contributions, but others as well. I tend to lose count of the number of times it becomes necessary to make the same point over and over again.

This makes me inclined to observe that some of my critics are not as well informed or as intelligent – in terms of their ability to present a reasoned argument – as one would wish.

Or, perhaps their possession of an ‘agenda’ dictates their undoubted ability to ‘cherry pick’ the bits of an argument that appeal because it runs counter to their specific ‘agenda’ and thus, can easily be targeted.

Your statement that my stance is ‘outdated’ merely confirms my opinion that you, but not just you, do not understand how deeply entrenched in our society are the teachings of the left wing educationlists. At the front of those pernicious teachings is the concept of Equal Opportunities and Social Equality both, just about as ‘red’ a ‘herring’ as you’re ever likely to meet.

Equal opportunities is, quite frankly, a ridiculous and failed concept. Failed? Yes, it fails to take account of the inherent natural differences between men and women. Women excel but men excel more. Look around you at any aspect of human endeavour involving the participation of both genders. The very best is always a man, although there might be ten women as runners up That is what we are good at – single minded, focused attention. That is why we invent everything, compose everything and build everything.

To bring the matter closer to home, I’m sure I’m correct in stating that recently the Booker Prize for literature became two separate Prizes – one for men and one for women, simply because too many men were winning the single Booker.

Judged by the past re-action from my critics, none of this will find favour, Good. If it encourages you to look around at life and make some observation about the way society works to-day, that is no more than it should be. Don’t be indoctrinated – make up your own mind, based on evidence.

No. I’m not failed aircrew although I’ve been ‘chopped’ by plenty of women but not in the way you mean !

Just to make sure that my street cred is intact, I do most sincerely wish Miss Stewart all good fortune. Although I do not know the facts, it seems to me that the MoD have not served her well.

John Green

Thank you John,
I’m afraid that we will have to agree to disagree. Our views are very different and I fear we will never see eye to eye on this subject. I agree with some of what you say… I’m not so blinkered as to think we are all equal. Actually, (and more importantly), what I know is that we all possess different skills. I too work in a male dominated environment, but there are times that I wont go out the office without a female colleague… And there are times that they wont go out without me. There are jobs that I can do far better than they can… And there are jobs that they do infinitely better than me. Thats the point… We are all different, we all have different skills. Yes, I know… Sounds like I work in a nice flowery environment… Believe me. Its far from that. I just think that to say ‘men are better’ in everything is a very very outdated statement…

Oh Dear ! I’m getting opaque in my old age. Let me slowly explain: The logic of my interpretation lies in the fact that Miss Stewart succeeded in her application in spite of the likely presence of admittedly unknown numbers of equally qualified male applicants. Why?

What other assets does she have that are prized by the Armed forces? She’s a WOMAN. That’ll look good in the media. Equal opportunities? We’ll show ’em.

I think that I live in the real world.

John Green

But why cant you see that the reality is that she was chosen because she was the best person for the ‘job’… It has nothing to do with gender at all. I think your comments are ridiculous, in the sense that 3 people are selected… 2 because they are the right people for the job and one because she was a woman? What about if one of the pilots were gay?… Would that person be “the token gay”… Like every equal opportunity employer has to have one.. Its ridiculous…

One can only assume it never crossed your mind that Flt. Lt Stewart may actually have been better than her male colleagues? No, it wouldn’t have done would it.

She clearly reached the high standards expected of an RAF officer and fast jet pilot and to suggest she has only achieved what she has because she was female is frankly ludicrous.
True social engineering was in denying jobs and positions to women they could clearly do as well as any man. Thankfully most of us have moved on from such an archaic viewpoint.
I wish Flt Lt Stewart all the best in whatever she does next. She has provided no end of inspiration to many.

You put it so much better than I did Arthur…

She certainly is inspirational (as are all of the Reds) and I wish her the very best of luck for the future.

If you look at Kristy’s flying career, then you’ll understand why she was selected to be a Red Arrow Pilot. The requirements for selection are very strict, and Kristy meets all of them. However, more importantly, in order to understand why she was selected, you have to understand how the selection process works – Its the existing pilots who select who will be joining the team… not some PR civvy at MoD.

I do hope that happens, but really wonder whether we’ll end up with a 6-ship display team in a year or two as a cost-saving measure.

You may well be right Mike… I’m just trying to put a positive light on the situation after what has been a vary sad year at Scampton.

On the positive side of things, I think if the Red Arrows are to survive they will do so in the way we currently know them… As a nine ship. However, I know where you’re coming from, and your comments are far from ‘extreme’ (sorry – struggling to find the right word there – I’m sure you know what i mean!)

I personally think the AAM was a bad idea, it wouldn’t surprise me if the IWM are regretting it.

Out of interest, why do you think it was a bad idea, and why would IWM be regretting it?