[farlander]

From the article :

"Yesterday, the former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, said British rules of engagement were “very much de-escalatory, because we don’t want wars starting … Rather than roaring into action and sinking everything in sight we try to step back and that, of course, is why our chaps were, in effect, able to be captured and taken away.”

Ahem. 'De-escalatory' ? Sooo... when they come to kill you in your own house will you try to 'de-escalate' by killing yourself ? What the hell in the world are these people smoking. Someone even gets close enough to try to board you *do* sink everything in sight and ask questions later.

[kingu]

It just goes to show you that all this is related to knives having pointy parts on the end. Once they get the sharp points off the end of chef knives and the like, everything will be all better.

[Weight of Glory]

" Ahem. 'De-escalatory' "

Yeah! It does seem as though the Brits know of a mysterious land where they acquire all the "squishy" words they use.

[Mr. Mojo]

Yesterday, the former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, said British rules of engagement were “very much de-escalatory, because we don’t want wars starting"

Memo to the Brits: The war has already started.

[FreeReign]

Yesterday, the former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, said British rules of engagement were “very much de-escalatory, because we don’t want wars starting … Rather than roaring into action and sinking everything in sight we try to step back and that, of course, is why our chaps were, in effect, able to be captured and taken away.”

If British ROE were more appropriate, they wouldn't come looking for you chumps er... chaps.

[Cooking101]

""Yesterday, the former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, said British rules of engagement were “very much de-escalatory, because we don’t want wars starting …"

The Europeans have gone sissy, even the once proud Brits. "De-escalatory"? "Don't want wars starting"? Note to Admiral West, you are already in a war. Not fighting back after you're already in a war is an act of cowardice, no matter how many words like "de-escalatory" you may invent.

[M203M4]

former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, said British rules of engagement were “very much de-escalatory, because we don’t want wars starting … Rather than roaring into action and sinking everything in sight we try to step back and that, of course, is why our chaps were, in effect, able to be captured and taken away.”

Sounds like ROE more appropriate for when passing through trusted allied waters...

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

It was a British Admiral said that moderation in warfare is the height of folly.

I suppose that's why they didn't take U.S. sailors hostage.

[A message]

Rather than roaring into action and sinking everything in sight we try to step back and that, of course, is why our chaps were, in effect, able to be captured and taken away.”

Lord Nelson is rolling over in his grave.

[Onelifetogive]

"Yesterday, the former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, said British rules of engagement were “very much de-escalatory, because we don’t want wars starting..."

Ronald Reagan said something to the effect of "America's been in four wars during my lifetime and none of them were started because the enemy thought we were too strong."

[Wheee The People]

very much de-escalatory, because we don’t want wars starting...

When the school bully knows you won't fight back, you'll be handing him your lunch money every day.

[Barnacle]

… Rather than roaring into action and sinking everything in sight we try to step back and that, of course, is why our chaps were, in effect, able to be captured and taken away.”

Come on you Limies! You'd never have hung on to the Colonies with an attitude like that... Oh, you lost your colonies didn't you. Well, you're sure as hell not going to survive as a nation if you keep this BS up.

Come on! We need you as an Allie.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Ahem. 'De-escalatory' ? Sooo... when they come to kill you in your own house will you try to 'de-escalate' by killing yourself ?

Yes.

It would seem to the Brits self defense is considered as great, if not greater, crime than murder.

I recall reading about an older gentleman who was arrested and charged under some foolish law for defending himself WITH A WALKING STICK from a pair who had broken into his home.

So yes, it would seem the British have a suicidal streak.

[george76]

British rules of engagement ...?

.

[Paulus Invictus]

So now will the Brits call in Carter and have him negotiate for months for the release of the Brit captives and when that fails will Britain then do a nationwide ankle grab and cave to all the imans demands?

[PzLdr]

I wonder what Nelson would have thought of Admiral West's ROEs? Napoleon would have LOVED them! - for the Royal Navy.

[Cvengr]

IMHO, I prefer another form of de-esculation, wherein one applies American 'cowboy' tactics of shooting the other sorry bastard before he has a chance to further escalate the situation.

[Enduring Freedom]

brit leaders are morons, morons, morons, morons, morons

rules of engagement for warfare are to fight, not surrender you morons, morons, morons, morons, morons

politicians fighting wars is bad karma

[Daveinyork]

Sinking the whole Iranian Navy might prevent this from happening again in the forseeable future.

[Little Ray]

They need to retire this guy - quick!

I'm glad to know the USN had a reasonable ROE for this situation.

The UK ought to issue an issue an ultimatum: give us our sailors and marines back or we, and all of NATO, declare war.