RE: If I would get a nickle for each time I have to correct Phantom, I would be a billionaire by now

“That’s one of the defining issues. The attack on the Pentagon was understandable, as would a White House attack have been. But the WTC was way below the belt.”

I don’t think either the terrorists or the United States could be accused of fighting by the ‘Marquess of Queensbury’s rules.’

I had just taken the dog for a walk and on the way home I called into a local shop. They have a closed circuit tv system with the monitor on the wall but the shopkeeper was always watching videos. I saw the tower ablaze and asked which film he was watching. He told me it was the BBC news and he thought it was New York. I rushed home and spent the next few hours watching events unfold.

Yes, I was shocked, not that America had been attacked, but by the sheer scale of the events. I think it was inevitable that someday the US would be the victim of a major terrorist outrage. The thought that I couldn’t get out of my head, and later the image, was that of the firemen and emergency personnel rushing into the building and up the stairs. With thousands of people streaming out they went in… That is some kind of courage! Those few hours showed to the world the raw courage and resilience of the American people. Mayor Giuliani leading the nation (surely he will one day be President?), the bravery of those on flight 93,the courage of the emergency personnel, the courage and kindnesses shown by people helping each other out of the tower, of those who elected to stay with their friends who couldn’t get out rather than leave them alone, the actions of those who opened their homes and businesses to help the injured, the homeless or the rescue workers.

The next day I had to drive to North Yorkshire and back and listened to the radio coverage all day long. It truly is one of those events that will stick in your memory forever, whether you want it to or not.

Regards,

kev35

RE: What is The Fascination of Beckham as a Footballer?????

Hi, Snowman.

“But I disagree with the fact that he is in the same league as Best. Best was a total genius and his skills and abilities, will not be matched by many players. A wonderful talent and definitely in the same bracket as Pelé ,Maradona and Zidane as far as I am concerned.”

Don’t you find it worrying that of your list of four one is an alcoholic currently lucky to be alive and another is a drug addict? Hardly suitable role models are they?

Regards kev35

RE: What is The Fascination of Beckham as a Footballer?????

“Best was a more traditional footballer, but…personality? He’s got so much personality that he’s been dodging coffins for the last decade.”

Crudely put but nevertheless correct. There can be no comparison between Beckham and Best. Apart from their totally different styles of play, one puts 100% effort into every game while the other put 100% effort into every pint. Best’s talent has been wasted, another player on the road to self destruction, just as Roy Keane is now.

Regards,

kev35

RE: Do you collect anything other than aircraft models?

Hi guys.

Yes, I’m a bit of a Magpie. I have a number of aviation prints and models. I also collect militaria. I am fortunate to have in my posession medals awarded to family members for both the First and Second World War. I also collect WWI postcards and any other paper ephemera I can get my hands on. I collect military badges and old military photographs, silks, books, really anything connected with the personal side of war.

So, if any of you have anything in that line you want to get rid of let me know, maybe we could do a deal?

Regards,

kev35

RE: How old are you?

I’m 41 and from the Midlands of England.

Wombat, can I join your old fart’s club please?

Regards,

kev35

RE: I say forget about Iraq….it’s pointless

Hi, PII.

“When I said your comment as a European doesn’t matter I mean you as a non-U.S. citizen. You don’t vote for the man or have any say to who goes into office so why is it you keep on with your anti-Bush comments? Does it not get old to you after a while? Do you have a life?”

Not sure whether this is aimed at me or Geforce but I’m going to jump in any way. I know I have no say but I find it increasingly worrying that although I have no say regarding the American presidency or foreign policy, it is the actions of America which may put my life in jeopardy. Yes, I have a life and I would like to keep it. If America does attack Iraq it is likely that every Moslem terrorist in the world will wish to strike back, and an awful lot of innocent people are going to die in the crossfire.

“I’m happy Bush is in office and I’ll be proud to serve under him when I get my commission in several years. I love to watch his speeches on TV as they inspire so much pride in me as an American.”

His speeches are hardly inspiring, he has neither the vocabulary or the personality to carry it off. I admire your pride and determination to serve your country. I sincerely hope that when you are called to duty Bush is no longer in office and that you will have the kind of leader you deserve. All this let’s get Iraq talk has only come about because of the failure to find or to kill Osama Bin Laden. Bush wants a war, and at the moment the best one he can come up with is against Iraq.

“Regarding Saddam, I’ve actually changed my opinion on that somewhat. I really don’t think we should go in as much anymore. I agree something has to be done, but I think that resistance from inside Iraq should do it. I mean I’m all for giving them the money and weapons they need, but as for sending in U.S. troops to fight those people I don’t know that it’s worth it. We’d win for sure, but I’m sure there would be casualties.”

He does need replacing but you can’t go in unilaterally. What needs to be done now is the use of all technology to find out if he does have weapons of mass destruction and where they are located, then eradicate the weapons. The replacement of Hussein could take years.

“You ask this Kev as if we are supposed to know. The point I’m trying to make is that Saddam does need to be replaced. Hopefully his replacement will be better than he is/was, but with all the idiots in the Middle East that won’t happen if he isn’t overthrown by some group that is dedicated to improving life in Iraq. The hard part is finding that group.”

I think you have a right to know what is being planned. After all it is young Americans who are going to die, possibly in their thousands, in pursuit of a strategy which hasn’t properly been thought out. Again, can someone please explain how Bush can wage war without the approval of Congress? Doesn’t that mean he can do it without the approval of the American people? Just how worrying is that?

regards,

kev35

RE: I say forget about Iraq….it’s pointless

Hi PII.

Now as for yours and Geforces arguments, I’m sure we’re all pretty used to them by now. Still, while you’re at each others throats at least you are leaving everyone else alone.

“And it also irritates me the manner in which you criticize Bush. Seeing as I have to take an Oath to defend my Constitution (that of the United States), he is technically my commader-in-chief.”

Why? If you are so confident and sure of his leadership any external criticism should be to you as ‘water off a duck’s back.’ On the point of his being your Commander-in-Chief, can you explain how he now has the ability to wage war without the consent of Congress? To an outsider who believes that America is a democracy this seems almost a dictatorial move rather than a democratic one. If he no longer has to go through Congress does this mean that the wishes of the American people are no longer considered of importance either?

“I have great respect for him, and you really have no place to criticize him as you are not in his shoes and you have no idea what he has to deal with on a daily basis.”

Respect is something that is earned. We have as much right to consider whether he is worthy of respect as you do. As for having no idea what he deals with on a daily basis, if the American government was as transparent as it would claim to be I’m sure we’d have more of an idea.

“That said, I believe he is a capable leader, who actually did win the election (it was later proven he did get more votes than Gore…and I mean votes from the people, not just electoral votes)”

That’s gone now. Whether he won fair and square or not, and it seems under your system he did, that’s all history now. Our concern should be with what he does with his Presidency.

“and has handled the challenged he’s been faced with very well.”

Sorry, but there we have to disagree.

“Your input as someone from Europe is rather irrelevant.”

Is it really? Then why do you keep asking for European support? There may well be a time to oust SH, but I don’t think it’s now. No American member of this forum has yet told us who or what SH will be replaced by. If someone could allay our concerns in that direction perhaps we would be more supportive.

Regards,

kev35

RE: So come on then, Moggy, what do you know about Eminem???????

Moggy,

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

You couldn’t lend us a fiver could you?

Regards,

kev35