Deeply depressing; in fact I gave up when the soldier killed himself with a plastic bag in the bath.

I suspect not all soldiers are as awful as everyone in this. But, again, I fail to see the nobility in a profession which encourages people to kill other people (for whatever excuse... um... reason).

I haven't watched yet (thanks for blowing the polt !!!) - I tend to keep progs like this for when I can allocate a couple of hours uninterrupted time.

Although fictional (but based loosely on real events?) - I suspect its probably closer to the truth than we would like to think.

Ooops sorry ITK!

I watched too, and the one of the things that struck me was how time and time again, poor decisions & miscalculations that are taken at a strategic level, are almost always paid for by those at the bottom of the chain of command.

Yes, no doubt there are some bad apples amongst our armed forces, but events such as those portrayed last night, as well as the factual horrors of Abu Graib are no doubt carried-out with the knowledge of senior officers. I also have no doubt that in some cases, junior officers are actually ordered to carry out these atrocities.

Another example is the recent debacle of the captured sailors media feeding frenzy. We all now know that the decision to publicise their accounts was taken (this time at the highest level), to counter the success of Iran's propaganda.

Whilst I disagree with the decision to allow this, I think more thought should have been given to the potential for the inevitable personal back lashing now being experienced by these brave people.

The young chap, Arthur, has said that because of the backlash he now feels like Public Enemy #1, and also feels he has left down the whole of the Royal Navy.

Methinks it's the other way around...

Adios,
Pete

Pete Clarke wrote:

Another example is the recent debacle of the captured sailors media feeding frenzy. We all now know that the decision to publicise their accounts was taken (this time at the highest level), to counter the success of Iran's propaganda.


Notice how no one in the Government now wants to associated with the decision?

If the plan had been a success (some hope !) B-Liar would have been elbowing the others out of the way to claim credit !