I don't think there's any 'to some extent' about it.

Just thought I'd give this a bump as it'll be really fascinating to see what happens when those lovely Tories (whom the tabloids tried so hard to get into power) go round being all nasty and cutting funding for "our boys" this afternoon.

I think this calls for that image of two conflicting thoughts thought simultaneously...

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"Even when you're a super-computer with an IQ of 2000 it's brown trousers time."

Reclaiming "methinks" for the nation

Latest blog post - 2011 - a review (updated 07/10)

There was a good forces fetishist on Undercover Boss USA last night- the sort of great stuff that the private sector produces, not all being a way of squeezing cheap television from a format we already have.

Some boss had been taught all about respect and teamwork in the forces. Those of us who have never served must be obnoxious and selfish.

All morning, the radio phonelines have been buzzing.

Self appointed defence experts (Ringing in to daytime radio from home) report:
Johnny Argie is massing at the coast preparing for another crack at the Falklands (Capital of middle England and not EU)

Somewhat on the same topic. I notice the 'Heros' tag has been used now and again for the Chilean miners. Are these brave chaps more deserving of the tag than soldiers?

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'Because we've reached the limits of what rectal probing can teach us'

At least as deserving, I'd say. Like most soldiers who end up being called heroes, the Chilean miners ended up in a dangerous situation through their own choices and/or pure bad luck and did extremely courageous things. As simple as that.

"They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Naturally they became heroes."

- George Lucas (or was it Alan Dean Foster?), in one of his more sensible moments

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Us Amazonians always get our man...

There does seem to be a kneejerk response now whenever someone is described as being brave, that a few commenters will always leap in comparing them to Our Boys. I saw it recently in relation to a report of someone who'd been recently bereaved but had had to carry on with his work. It doesn't seem to me in any way a valid comparison; there are different types of bravery, and the mere fact that someone in the army is doing the job he signed up to do doesn't automatically make him brave.

My brother, whose stepson is in the army, tells me that actually they admit to having a great time most of the time when they're posted to Iraq or Afghanistan - they're all lads together in camp, they don't have to worry about cooking, paying bills, looking after the kids etc and they get to play with boys' toys. Obviously none of that detracts from the horrors of being under fire or having to cope with the constant risk of sudden death or massive injuries, but there needs to be a sense of proportion. They too agree that the real bravery lies in the sort of action that Lance Corporal Beharry got decorated for, and that it's not fair on people like him if everyone in the army is automatically hailed a hero.

I think the likes of the Sun have this vision of them living in trenches in Flanders, constantly under heavy shelling with no let-up, which simply is not true.

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"Even when you're a super-computer with an IQ of 2000 it's brown trousers time."

Reclaiming "methinks" for the nation

Latest blog post - 2011 - a review (updated 07/10)

It wasn't true in Flanders, either...

Indeed, but I'm willing to bet that an awful lot of Sun readers think it is.

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"Even when you're a super-computer with an IQ of 2000 it's brown trousers time."

Reclaiming "methinks" for the nation

Latest blog post - 2011 - a review (updated 07/10)

Quite. Never let reality intrude into a good myth.

When people think about about the army, people imagine everyone serves in the infantry and are always in combat and place themselves in danger which is not the case. In modern armies only a small proportion of soldiers serve in the infantry. If you look at the army careers website the majority of army jobs are civilian type jobs eg clerk, mechanic, cook, storeman, technician and only a small number of army personnel will see combat.

And when they do, and get shot, their families tend to say "They didn't tell him it was like this."

From a story about Michael McIntyre being HATED by envious lefties: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/artic ... omics.html



Kate's Dad's opinion is simply worth more than other people's, what with him having being in the forces. As we all know, there is no bad language in the army, navy and air force. None.

The article is the usual Jan Moir bibble, projecting her own failings onto bogeymen. Especially liked this quote, which was held up as evidence of St. Michael's persecution:



Thanks Jan, Stewart Lee has one more fan. McIntyre remains a tedious little fucker.

Apparently the only 2 comics on the approved list are Michael Macintyre and Ken Dodd.
I was surprised we didn't get a groundswell for Benny Hill in the comments (Hunted to death by the Humourless PCers).

And they say the left is humourless.