RE: Did Bush upset anyone else?

Hey, I’m not trying to create a flame war or anything on this topic, but my point on my previous post was not just related to “that graveyard scene”. It seems to me, and I may be wrong about this in my way of thinking, that everytime the US goes to war they invite others along. Then when the press decide to cover the event, the US and NATO both concentrate on the loss of US life…are they Gods or something??? Doesn’t the loss of life in for example the Kuwaiti Army or KLA matter to them??? Nothing was ever reported on the losses by KLA troops during the Kosovo conflict, NATO officals even went so far as to say there was no loss of life ON THE ALLIED SIDE, so does that mean the KLA were our enemy???
I am Irish by birth, as you should know by now…I go on about it often enough…but have served with the British Army on two occasions. It makes me sick even today when I hear reports of British troops in Afghanistan reading Graffiti in toilets at Bagram AFB about how useless they are WRITTEN BY THE “OHH SO GLOURIOUS” US forces. If Bush thinks British Marines are not doing enough and if Americas pig headed soldiers don’t want them there, then let them come home to their families and SOD THE US WAR ON BLOODY TERRORISM!!! I know several Marines doing THEIR DUTY in Afghanistan who trained with me for the Irish Guards before transferring to the Marines. They and every other Marine in the region are doing their duty…the only problem is that it isn’t for “Queen and Country”, its to reduce the number of US casualties.
If Bush cares only for his own troops….then he should bloody well keep it to that…HIS OWN TROOPS!!! He shouldn’t risk the lives of “allied” nations to spare his own.

RE: Russia a member of NATO!

NATO is just something to keep Europe reliant on US military forces. Bush and Clinton have both been afraid that if NATO is disbanded, the US will no longer have a military role to play in Europe…which is why NATO should be dumped in favour of a European Alliance. The US needs NATO more than Europe!!!
This is not a defence issue, more an industrial one. Just think, why do countries like Denmark, Norway, Turkey etc buy F-16s and US tanks?
Because the US wants to keep NATO weaponry American weaponry!!! Just imagine if Europe didn’t have to keep “in standard” with each other. F-16s would become as rare as MiG-23s in the skies over Europe!!!

RE: Chinese MBTs

Ink
Just about every Chinese MBT is connected to Russian designs in one way or another. They seem to build along the Russian line of thinking too (ie. take a proven design and see if we can improve it). Russia and Kazakhstan would (in my opinion) be equal or more than a match for Chinese armour – as would India and South Korea. Taiwan on the other hand has poor quality MBTs by comparison – which seems odd considering Taiwans advantage in Sea and Air. This is probably to do with Taiwan planning on US assist’ on the ground. I believe the current Chinese model in service is the Type-98 or 88, which resembles a T-72. Plus of course China has a small number of the T-80U in service. China’s T-80Us seem to differ from the Russian model in that they are not fitted with Kontact-5 ERA, but an older form. Still, given that Taiwan’s most capable tank is the M60A2, the T-80 would steam roller the Taiwanese.
Vietnams most capable tank is the T-62, not sure which varient though. Thailand operates Chinese MBTs (older models than the ’88) as well as Stingray MBTs. Neither of these have the firepower or armour to equal an ’88 or T-80. In other words China has the upper hand again.
Japan of course just rules the region in terms of armour. Neither China nor indeed Russia could hope for a quick victory against Japanese armour. Isn’t the Jap’ tank currently in service the Type-90?

RE: Star Wars Episode II

So is there going to be an Episode III or will it jump straight into the classics from here??? Do we get to see Anakin turn “to the dark side” in EII???

RE: What Languages do you speak?

My native language is Gaelic, but I’m ashamed to say I am CRAP!!! I can speak a little French, Spanish and Turk but I am putting my effort into Bulgarian.

RE: Star Wars Episode II

Big Star Wars fan here. Thanks for the report. I was thinking about going to see it but wasn’t sure if it was any good. Judging by your excitement it must be worth while.