‘which makes the usual internet memes of ‘cheese eating surrender monkeys’ quite obsolete ...that phrase is far more aptly descriptive of the British’
Kindly go **** yourself.
‘(compare this with British reluctance to even deport wanton criminals),’
The terrorists are using EU laws to stifle British attempts. And who signed the UK up to those laws?. Why that nice Tony Blair you all loved in America post 9-11.
You can’t blame America for Britain’s failings and your politicians.
****ing myself might be a tad tricky, although it still wouldn't change the fact that term is still more applicable to the British than to the French. For instance, I highly doubt a French naval ship would allow their marines and sailors to be kidnapped by the Iranians, in the manner that 7 Royal Marines and 8 Sailors were kidnapped a short distance away from the HMS Cornwall. That would never happen. Furthermore, I doubt the kidnapped crew would go around smiling and shaking hands with Ahmadenijad (even John McCain, who is one of the lamest RINOs around, knew better than to act friendly with the enemy when he was a POW, and even refused an early-release offer by the North Vietnamese which left him with some lifelong injuries). Oh, not to mention one of the crew publicly moaning when their iPod was confiscated.
HMS Cornwall commander removed after Iran hostage debacle
However, I have to agree that is not cheese eating surrender monkey stuff ...more like simple weakness. A lack of moral fiber, with the political leadership making things all the worse. Not to say the Brits don't have a good military ...sections of the British military are, literally, the best in the world. For example, the RN submarine service is tops, as are the special services (SAS, SBS, etc). The problem is that once the leadership starts to muck things around they can directly dilute resolve, which is what happened to France for decades (most recently with Chirac, with Hollande having some rather pathetic economic policies). The UK has become exceedingly politically correct, and while you don't seem to suffer from that problem (you having the nads to say go **** yourself is unique, since even insults seem to be limited over there to 'hurting the feelings' of pre-teens via anonymous webchats to see if they'll kill themselves) the UK is very PC.
Now, this may be simply the perception of weakness and not actual weakness. However, it will attract and embolden the wrong types just the same. A good example is the Falklands - the UK is actually far better able to defend the Falklands now than it was the last time things flared up, with far better ability to control the skies (the Typhoons) and far better naval capability (even though with fewer ships and the appearance of less logistical capability). However, it appears to be less able to do that.
As for EU laws being used to stifle British attempts, how come they don't seem to apply to France? The laws against Islamic radicals are utterly draconian there. Even simple things like prison accommodation that is prison-like, and denying radicals access to public housing that could be termed as luxurious, apply. As much as I would like to blame Mr Blair, the fact remains that a large part of the current MPs and other government functionaries are just as lily-livered as Blair was.
Probably more so.
Now let me go attempt to **** myself. I might even enjoy it ...may even have a good cry over an iPod that was stolen some time back.