100th British casualty in Iraq.

[derekpara]

When I compare the photo in today's Telegraph of the clean-cut, fit, proud young British soldier who became our 100th casualty in Iraq with the filthy, and no doubt stinking, treachorous rag- bags in Iraq , I think to myself 'What a waste of a young life.'

It also convinces me that situations like this in Iraq can only be settled by civil war - not through the intervention of foreign troops.
People have to fight for the sort of government they want, not accept what they are given by outsiders. And I say this as a former soldier from a long gone decade. Have a say, please.

[Kathyan]

I have to agree derek. Our boys should never have been sent to Iraq. I know that it's what they sign up for, but to be sent to a war based on lies is unforgiveable. My OH is in the Army, but, as yet, hasn't had to go there. I dread the day when he may have to go. The thing that gets to me most though, is the fact that Tony Blair hasn't had the decency to face the families of those brave soldiers who he sent to their deaths. He bleats on in the House of Commons that 'our thoughts are with the families' but he really doesn't give a damn.

[vehelpfulguy]

Tony Blair only cares about one thing - Tony Blair.

He has no concience.

He is not a socialist, he and his wife are money grabbing capitalists of the worst kind.

In his short time in "power" he has wrecked this country.

He will find it hard to show his face once he is booted out of office.

[johnlambert]

derekpara, im also a former soldier, I was in the 1st gulf war,(infantry, 1 Royal Scots) I agree with 99% of your post, however, I saw civil war 1st hand in the land of the flying bullets (Bosnia to civvy types) and I wouldnt wish that on anyone.

[Theland]

Without going into the politics of our involvement in Iraq, I am of the opinion that our soldiers have been sent in too easily, to a situation that is far too demanding for their numbers.
They are poorly equippped, underpaid, and undersupported, as their families housing situations testify.
I have five sons aged 28 to 12, and I would hate to see any of them join the army, after seeing the way these gallant young men have been treated.

[Marvelman]

I would like Tony Blair to be arrested for war crimes when he is finely kicked out of office, for sending our troops to Iraq , hundreds of our young men killed so that he can be George Bushes little mate and have the senate give him a clap while he stands there grinning, i would like his money grabbing, greedy , wife who condoned suicide bomber arrested also just for being her.this govenment should make certain that the families of the brave young men who have died have financial security for the rest of there lives. it wouldnt cost what they spend in Iraq in a week.

[johnizere]

I wonder if Phoney Bliar as ever even considered going to The airbases to pay respects to our fallen...but there again, he has no respect for the living, let alone the dead.
To steal Roger Waters' (Pink Floyd) lyrics from one of his numbers...
Kind old King George sent mother a note, when he heard that father was gone...
It came in the form of a scroll,
gold leaf and all,
......
signed with his own RUBBER STAMP.

[frankief]

Do people sign up for the army and really expect to spend their working life in the barracks playing pool?
It is a soldiers job that he go to war if directed by his government - if he doesn't want to do that then he never should have enlisted.
British losses have been light compared to Iraqi's, we can't fight a war with zero casualties, I wish we could.
The thing we get now is people saying 'my son was killed, I want Blair to go on trial..I want an enquiry..I want to know who was to blame...I want compensation etc etc. Rag Newspapers like the Sun get hold of classified information!
If we had the media attention like this in WW2 it would still be going on and Churchill would be in court. Unfortunately war is not fair and mistakes are made.

[Le Chat]

Frankief - I don't think the soldiers are complaining about going to war at all, in fact, on reading about the soldiers who have been killed, the families have all stated that their sons were quite accepting of the fact that they would be going and were ready to 'do their duty.' The fact, as pointed out by derekpara's post is that, they are being farmed out into a situation that can never be 'won.' I don't think you can compare this conflict with ww2 - The fact is we do have the media attention and many, many people think that this 'war' is a farce.
WW2 was seen as a necessity as we were fighting for our land and way of life. Who is to say that if the media coverage had been around during the war, then the country wouldn't have been right behind Churchill? That is only your assumption.
British losses may be light compared to the loses in Iraq but our country has sod all to do with conflict. There were no weapons of mass destruction...not even a hint of them..not even maybe.

[anotheoldgit]

I was wondering how far I had to read down this post before I came across yet another perthetic bleating such as posted by frankief, about how many Iraqi's had been killed in comparison to all those young lives of our own lads. Regarding the comparison of this conflct to WW2 Le chat is right to point out then we were fighting for our land and way of life (all of which we have now lost). But then in WW2 the enemy wore a different uniform, and his vehicles of war carried his flag or insignia, he did not accept your gifts and then later blow you up, and he did not wear a frock and hide behind women and children. Pehaps the day will come when that OHMS brown envelope drops through frankief's letter box, he will then have to don a uniform and fight in a foreign field for this country, unless of course he chooses to join the other side.

[frankief]

I can't help feeling that if this 'war' had gone the usual way ie USA and allies bomb the life out of every living thing in a few weeks due to their superior weapons, then some of the people here would not be complaining so much about the quote 'stinking, treachorous rag- bags'.
Blair would be their hero!
Has this war become unjust for these people because we can't win it?
Oh, oldgit, I was not comparing this conflict with WW2, just the different media coverage.

[derekpara]

Hi Johnlambert, I think we've spoken before. I take your point about Bosnia. I was involved well before that, when sides wore uniforms almost like bl..dy soccer teams but at least you knew who your enemy was.
Now, to follow your point and broaded the discussion: Bosnia was a very cruel civil war along ethnic/religious lines. The way things are going in this country, with minority groups refusing to integrate and increasing numbers spreading hate against the host country, have we already got the seeds for a similarly horrific civil war here ?

[Marvelman]

Our soldiers are there to protect this country against our enemies, the soldiers in Iraq were sent there on lies and deceit, Iraq posed no threat to us , our soldiers are getting killed for nothing, and will continue to get killed untill someone has the guts to bring them home. lets hope that the next one in charge wont pander to George Bush like this two faced liar does.