[Archived] News comment

[ABBEY]

Solid advice that Gordon, mixing drinks on a night out is a sure way to end up with a very sore head, same with shots. Though I'm too old for that stuff anyway!

too old? pah

[K-Hod]

too old? pah

Too old for shots/mixing drinks. Always old enough for a good drink of beer

[speeeeeeedie]

Too old for shots/mixing drinks. Always old enough for a good drink of beer

Good advice. It's a very American custom to do a few shots whilst out, I guess that it's now more popular in the UK.

I stopped years ago. It does you no good. People still offer them and give me looks when I flat refuse. I can drink enough without them.

[ABBEY]

Can see the jaeger train going through donnington next week

[yoda]

I found this article interesting; http://fareedzakaria.com/2015/05/22/britain-resigns-as-a-world-power/

Britain's diminishing role as seen by an Indian living in America.

I think there is one of these "-" missing in the resigns bit of the headline

[thenodrog]

Pretty fair account but nothing new. A blind man on a galloping horse can see the decline in standards. Is this the invisible effect of 40 years of the eu effectively gelding us as an independent nation before bending us over the Brussels table I wonder?

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

I found this article interesting; http://fareedzakaria.com/2015/05/22/britain-resigns-as-a-world-power/

Britain's diminishing role as seen by an Indian living in America.

Personally place the blame for our decline in defence spending squarely on the shoulders of the practically militant anti-Iraq war brigade. The frankly hysterical opposition to that war has intimidated politicians into shying away from all future wars, especially ones against Muslims of any description. IS are 1,000 (minimum) times worse than Saddam Hussein's regime, and significantly worse than Al-Qaeda. And yet we won't act, and not just we, but nobody will act. Why? Because last time we acted there were million-strong marches in the streets of London. The zealot-like political left, with possible Islamic extremist element at their core (look strongly at the behaviour and past membership of UAF before you disagree too much with that statement), have to all extents outlawed military action from this country. Christians, among other religious minorities, are currently the subject of genocide, torture and rape, and nothing is being done.

If we refuse to involve ourselves in military action now, there is literally no point in having a military. That in a nutshell is why we no longer seem interested in whether we have one, never mind a good one.

[jim mk2]

I found this article interesting; http://fareedzakaria.com/2015/05/22/britain-resigns-as-a-world-power/

Britain's diminishing role as seen by an Indian living in America.

Fine article, written with a tinge of sadness that our role in the world is seen to be diminishing yet we are still regarded as having much to offer.

We have let go so much over the past 30 years or so - yet none of it was necessary. Skilled manufacturing was caught up in Thatcher's war against ordinary working people; and decimated; the armed forces, so strong only 10 years ago, sacrificed in the name of an ideological drive for spending cuts and austerity.

We have become inward looking - witness the rise of Ukip and Little Englanders resistant to Europe and foreigners in general. And it could get worse - the union could be ripped apart by Scottish devolution and the rUK could find itself out of Europe if the swivel eyed loons in the Conservative party have their way, leaving little England all alone in the world.

And then there is London - the great global city let off the leash by the Tories in the 1980s that dominates this country at the expense of everyone else, breeding resentment, creating divisions and increasing inequality.

Is it too late ? We are still a member of the G7 yet the Chinese see us as irrelevant and the Americans increasingly feel the same. It doesn't help when you have a prime minister who shows little interest in international affairs. Our standing in the world is still high - and people abroad look to us to set high standards. Despite everything, I'm optimistic. The 2012 Olympics showed what we can do when we really try.

[Biddy]

We have let go so much over the past 30 years or so

Wow, you just can't let it go can you. You say "30 years" then blame nothing but the Tories. No mention at all of the 13 years (nearly half of your time frame) being under Labour rule.

[jim mk2]

Why not address some of then points raised by the article ? Wow.

[thenodrog]

Well you ignored the Bliar/Bush WMD/Oil war leading to the development of IS, UK gold reserves sold off given away and Brown's financial maelstrom.

[jim mk2]

I assume Brown's "financial maelstrom" means the worldwide financial crisis of 2008 - but then you knew that.

I also assume that when GB was selling gold you were filling your boots at the same time because you knew it was a mistake

None of which however are relevant to the article which is about Britain's retreat from global affairs, loss of influence and increasing parochialism.

[thenodrog]

"None of which however are relevant to the article which is about Britain's retreat from global affairs, loss of influence and increasing parochialism."

How odd... you've neglected to comment on 'Blair's War' based on pretend WMD's and a failed attempt to recreate the 'Falklands Factor' which swept St Margaret to such a massive majority in the 83 election. That must surely be relevant

[jim mk2]

Iraq was an international effort led by the US and Britain to combat the rise of al-Qaeda and terrorism in the wake of 9/11. Pretending it was an attempt to recreate the "Falklands Factor" (whatever that is) is laughable. Unlike the old witch, Blair didn't need an old colonial war to boost his popularity because of failed policies at home. Iraq was Britain at its best - taking a lead in world events, just the sort of venture that the author of the piece regrets we no longer participate in.

Now back to the article and our diminished role in the world....

[yoda]

Iraq was an international effort led by the US and Britain to combat the rise of al-Qaeda and terrorism in the wake of 9/11. Pretending it was an attempt to recreate the "Falklands Factor" (whatever that is) is laughable. Unlike the old witch, Blair didn't need an old colonial war to boost his popularity because of failed policies at home. Iraq was Britain at its best - taking a lead in world events, just the sort of venture that the author of the piece regrets we no longer participate in.

Now back to the article and our diminished role in the world....

You believe the words of an Indian now living in the USA after he had a couple of days in London ?

really

[jim mk2]

Usual puerile comment from you

His is an opinion piece - you don't have to agree with it.

The point is, you debate what he said.

Now try again.

[Mike E]

Iraq was an international effort led by the US and Britain to combat the rise of al-Qaeda and terrorism in the wake of 9/11. Pretending it was an attempt to recreate the "Falklands Factor" (whatever that is) is laughable. Unlike the old witch, Blair didn't need an old colonial war to boost his popularity because of failed policies at home. Iraq was Britain at its best - taking a lead in world events, just the sort of venture that the author of the piece regrets we no longer participate in.

Now back to the article and our diminished role in the world....

Iraq was Britain at its best? It is directly linked to the rise of the richest, most fearsome terrorist organisation yet seen. All based on a lie too.

Britain at its best was back in WW2, defending itself and Europe from facism. Not having a direct role in its rise!

[K-Hod]

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/13220008.JAILED__Father_racially_abused_teachers_and_assaulted_headteacher_in_religious_row_over_beards/?ref=mr&lp=16

I've had dealings with this guy myself, and can confirm he's a monumental bell-end. My favourite part was him calling Mount Carmel a 'racist school', then he's been done for 'racially aggravated behaviour'.

[K-Hod]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/nightclub-bouncer-nicknamed-the-beast-5820037- what a lovely chap, and seemingly a Dingle too.....

[Audax]

Plenty of blame can be assigned to the Iraq war and rise of ISIS, the Assads bombing their own people and doing it for decades, note, Syria is where so much of this goes on.

CIA bought WMDs, nerve agents, from sellers. These are probably a different stock than what Iraq accumulated in the 1990s. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/16/world/cia-is-said-to-have-bought-and-destroyed-iraqi-chemical-weapons.html?_r=0

If anything, the early withdrawal of troops helped cause the turmoil. Not going their and overthrowing Saddam Hussein who was convicted of genocide and executed.

I read Iraq even had anthrax stocks but I'm not sure where there information came from.

Also, a ton of people said Iraq had WMDs for years and years before forces moved in there.

They were also violating the treaty to allow inspectors to see the sites all the time.

[yoda]

Usual puerile comment from you

His is an opinion piece - you don't have to agree with it.

The point is, you debate what he said.

Now try again.

Ok,

What does a nobody Indian living in America know.

He is probably making a biased judgement based on Britain's colonial past in India.

Living in America he should be more concerned with America's diminishing influence in the world.

As for Britain's diminishing influence, are you longing for a return of colonial Britain Jim ?

Why exactly does Britain need a separate world influence of it's own when it is part of the EU with it's collective powerful influence in the world, or is that a fallacy put out by the pro Europeans.

Your signature says the greatest country on earth, are you talking about England, Britain or Great Britain.

It would seem to contradict your postings on our European Union membership.

[Audax]

Nowadays, one wonders if countries would have the backbone to defeat the Nazis, anniversary of D-day.

[yoda]

Nowadays, one wonders if countries would have the backbone to defeat the Nazis, anniversary of D-day.

One country in Europe would

[T J Hooker]

I doubt our current military leaders would even have the tactical nouse to win a war of that scale again, they couldn't even invade a country properly with all the might of the uk and yank forces at their disposal(Iraq, afganistan, etc..) all they did was disperse them for a few years, but now there back stronger than ever with isis.

[yoda]

I doubt our current military leaders would even have the tactical nouse to win a war of that scale again, they couldn't even invade a country properly with all the might of the uk and yank forces at their disposal(Iraq, afganistan, etc..) all they did was disperse them for a few years, but now there back stronger than ever with isis.

Come the hour of need, no one else on the planet like the Brits to succeed.