RE: Have any of you met another forum member?

Hi, guys.

I have been a friend of Hauptsturmfuhrer (Chris Gale) for almost three years now. We came into contact as a result of matching his artwork to my writing on various subjects. We live quite a distance apart and as both of us suffer with poor health we don’t meet too often. Chris joined the forum a month or so ago but unfortunately he has been quite poorly since. Hopefully it won’t be too long before he’s back.

Regards,

kev35

RE: PIC OF THE DAY NO ROOM FOR ERROR HERE!!!

Great picture.

You can just imagine the conversation in the cockpit.

First officer to Captain – “I never knew they used 100 watt bulbs in the approach lights.”

Regards,

kev35

RE: Iraqi Invitation

Hi, Vortex.

“As to 3 days later, what the hell are you talking about?”

I am referring to the fact that President Bush did not visit either New York or Washington sooner than he did. If he’d gone to ‘ground zero’ on the evening of the 11th, like so many ordinary American citizens did, I think that would have had much more impact, and been far more effective as a method of showing the terrorists that America was far from beaten. Maybe I’m different to you, but I’d want my leaders to share the dangers with me. The people who sent those terrorists were probably overjoyed by the ‘success’ of their operation, but probably even more overjoyed that America appeared ‘leaderless’ for the next few days.

“What people are suggesting here in the US is that we only received video tapes of media contact. At all times a selected few of the media with the President and various video clips made by the media were consistently released to assure the American public. You weren’t here so you’ll have to take my word for it.”

Exactly, he should have been there. Imagine the feelings he would have engendered had he spent an hour in a bucket line at the WTC. He would have been President for life! What could be more reassuring than that in times of crisis the President stood shoulder to shoulder with his people?

“Don’t let your prejudice blind you.”

Blind me to what? The apparent inadequacies of a President whose term of office has, so far, in my opinion, been far below that which the American people deserve.

As to being there, no, I wasn’t. But like 95% of the Worlds population I watched those events unfold with abject horror. For this current generation these events were a defining moment. No-one will forget where they where or what they were doing when they first heard news of this. (I was in a shop looking up at what I thought was a disaster film until I saw the BBC news titles.) There were people of many nationalities killed, not just Americans and the repercussions of these events will live on for many years. Is sending thousands more Americans to Iraq to be killed really going to alter the situation?

Regards,

kev35

RE: Iraqi Invitation

Hi, Garry,

you’re preaching to the converted. I think taht last post should have been aimed at Vortex?

Regards,

kev35

RE: Iraqi Invitation

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 12-08-02 AT 00:21 AM (GMT)]Hi, Mongu,

“Conversely, Galtieri invaded the Falklands to boost his popularity Kev.”

Good point.

“But the Royals were only figure heads there for moral purposes.”

At the time, I think the Royals were much more significant in the life of the country than they are now. When France capitulated in 1940, the King said “Thank God, we’re on our own now” and the Queen Mother following the bombing of Buckingham Palace said “We can look the people of the east end in the face now.” These two statements had a significant effect on the morale of the country. Churchill also remained in the country and suffered the same risks from bombing as other Londoners.

“Bush is an actual leader.”

Really?

“Although, the degree of fanfare all saying “the President is irreplacable” is a bit funny. If he chooses his cabinet correctly, the country should cope in his absence.”

My point exactly. Yes, he is there to run the country, but in times of crisis he is there to lead, and if that means placing himself in harm’s way so be it. If he’d gone to New York or Washington on September 11th instead of being ‘unavailable’ till the 14th, he would have been seen as a true leader by the outside world. Hugging a fireman three days later does not do justice to the bravery and heroism of the American people. I’m not saying Bush is a coward, he has taken a firm stance since, maybe too firm over Iraq, but I definitely think his absence from one or other of the sites of the terrorist attacks in the immediate aftermath, was, at the very least, ill advised.

Regards,

kev35

RE: Iraqi Invitation

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-08-02 AT 10:35 PM (GMT)]Hi, Vortex,

“As for someone’s constant mentioning of Bush hiding in air force 1, i think you’ve been watching too much movies.”

I think that’s me you’re referring to. On September 11th, a terrible tragedy hit the United States, no-one can deny that. In all the chaos the American people rallied together, but they did not rally under President Bush, instead it was Rudy Giuliani. He was the constant, the constant the American people needed, but, it should have been the President.

“When the US command doens’t have a clue of what’s going on, it’s a very prudent thing to protect the President at all cost and possiblities. If he was killed, i’m not sure what might happen in the following hours.”

No, the prudent thing is to provide the people with the leadership and reassurance they need. No, that should be the leadership and reassurance they deserve. I’m sorry, but I firmly believe that if you put yourself in a position to be a leader of a nation you should then be prepared to face whatever dangers arise with your people. I’m sure there are contingencies for the vice president and other prominent government officials to be moved to a place of safety in case anything should happen to the President. Now, before you mention that I am a European and have no idea about all this, there is in fact, a precedent. During WWII, the Royal Family of Great Britain refused to move to the safety of Canada expressly so that they may share the dangers with their people, a standpoint which did much to raise the morale of the people.

“As to wanting explainations of him smilling when talking about war with Iraq, so what do you want him to show, a sad face, a stern face?”

Yes I do. The prospect of sending young men and women to fight and probably to die at his bidding should make him very serious indeed. This is not a joke, people are going to die. To me this is just another example of the disrespect he has shown to the American people in the last few months.

“Politics is all a show and any face he puts out is going to be analysed from all angles.”

Exactly.

“i can’t recall any wars were created in recent history just to do this.”

Some people might suggest that in 1982 Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Government would not have won the next election had it not been for the victory in the Falkland Islands.

Regards,

kev35

RE: Harrier Update.

Andrew,

yes, I believe it was the same pilot as the RAF usually selects one pilot to fly the whole season as solo display pilot for each type the RAF chooses to display.

Regards,

kev35

RE: Iraqi Invitation

PII,

“That’s just my opinion though and it doesn’t matter….”

Of course your opinion matters, that’s what forums are for, to air your opinions. It’s just that sometimes you get a bit carried away because you are passionate about your beliefs, like many of us. It’s a quality to be admired rather than to apologise for.

“Also, when did I say an invasion force wouldn’t be in danger from chemical weapons?”

You didn’t, i’m just making the point that America would be fighting a very different war than the one in 1991.

“However, you’ll find most people in the U.S. military support this cause. Most people in our military are willing to fight for a cause they believe is just.”

Yes, but if their lives are being thrown away needlessly the American public would not stand for it. Look at Vietnam, in the early days there probably was a feeling of it being a ‘just’ war, but from the late 60’s on the majority of troops were fighting only to save each other and reach the magical 365 days.

“We’re hated simply because we stand for freedom. As long as we stand for that, there will be idiots out there who hate us.”

America is not the only country which stands for freedom you know, there are many others. It’s Americas desire to be seen as the defender and policeman of the world which may be inspiring some of the hatred.

“On the other hand, I’m almost ready to just ignore the Middle East completely.”

You may be, but you know this will never become American policy.

“Why don’t we just disconnect all ties with the Middle East completely? Oil you say? Well, the United States actually has quite a large supply of it from various parts of the country. Perhaps doing this will get these psychotic terrorists off our backs, or at least it might help.”

You are never going to do that while there is a substantial Jewish vote up for grabs in any presidential election.

I noticed you have made no response to my comments about Bush’s crass and insensitive speech about the possibility of young American men and women going to war on his behalf. Going to war is a serious matter and not something to be amused about, especially when the nearest you’ll get to the sound of the guns is watching it on tv. Perhaps you agree with me?

Regards,

kev35