Posted on 03/26/2007 12:52:21 PM PDT by ScaniaBoy
Ann Winterton (Congleton) (Con): Is not one of the requirements of the United Kingdom Navy to obey the rules of engagement set by the Ministry of Defence? Did not the current rules of engagement that allow no conflict in Iraqi waters with Iranian forces lead directly to 15 of our service personnel being abducted by the Iranians?
Mr. Ingram: Rather than speculate about events, let us stand back and understand the sensitivity of the situation. There is too much speculation about what happened and what did not happen. Those carrying out that mission clearly have to respond to the level of threat that is posed to them. We will have to investigate that when they are safely returned to these shores and we get their version of events rather than the speculation that is being paraded around in the media and elsewhere.
This is PC run amok! Those responsible ought to be court-martialed forthwith.
(Just in case anyone thinks this is jsut idle speculations here is a statement from the First Sea Lord via Hot Air:
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.”
I don't know what to say....
:(
No Nelson he...
With rules of engagement like that, why deploy EXCEPT to be killed, caught or politically exploited?
Exactly. First a court-martial and then a good ol'hanging.
"Sit at your desk and never go to sea and soon you'll be the ruler of the Queen's Navy".
They should have given the English marines night sticks just like the bobbies in London used to carry around. Then they should have been dressed up like the caper cops from the 1920's comedies, they might have been able to laugh their way out of this situation. We have arrived at a situation where high farce governed by Monty Python Rules patrols a major world flash point.
That's fine ... until another event occurs before this one is resolved?
Slick Willi gave our troops in Macedonia,
guns but no bullets and a squad was captured.Something about Marxists
George as discussed on the other threads.
The ROE's for the UK sailors and marines came from London not DC.
Most of this PC bs started out in the UK shortly after WWII after the lefties defeated Churchill.
Thanks for putting a smile on my face, despite the grim news.
Here, for those who've forgotten the lyrics of HMS PINAFORE (and note that they are certainly up to date):
SONG -- SIR JOSEPH
When I was a lad I served a term
As office boy to an Attorney's firm.
I cleaned the windows and I swept the floor,
And I polished up the handle of the big front door.
I polished up that handle so carefullee
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
CHORUS. -- He polished that handle so carefullee
That now he is the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
As office boy I made such a mark
That they gave me the post of a junior clerk.
I served the writs with a smile so bland,
And I copied all the letters in a big round hand--
I copied all the letters in a hand so free,
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
CHORUS. -- He copied all the letters in a hand so free,
That now he is the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
In serving writs I made such a name
That an articled clerk I soon became;
I wore clean collars and a brand-new suit
For the pass examination at the Institute,
And that pass examination did so well for me,
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
CHORUS. -- And that pass examination did so well for him,
That now he is the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
Of legal knowledge I acquired such a grip
That they took me into the partnership.
And that junior partnership, I ween,
Was the only ship that I ever had seen.
But that kind of ship so suited me,
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
CHORUS. -- But that kind of ship so suited him,
That now he is the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
I grew so rich that I was sent
By a pocket borough into Parliament.
I always voted at my party's call,
And I never thought of thinking for myself at all.
I thought so little, they rewarded me
By making me the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
CHORUS. -- He thought so little, they rewarded him
By making him the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
Now landsmen all, whoever you may be,
If you want to rise to the top of the tree,
If your soul isn't fettered to an office stool,
Be careful to be guided by this golden rule--
Stick close to your desks and never go to sea,
And you all may be rulers of the Queen's Navee!
CHORUS. -- Stick close to your desks and never go to sea,
And you all may be rulers of the Queen's Navee!
This is PC run amok!
I wouldn’t call it PC run amok as much as the politicians trying to avoid conflict with Iran at all costs - including the cost of their military’s lives.
On second thought, it might be a PC action if the intent is to appease the peaceniks at home.
I grew so rich that I was sent
By a pocket borough into Parliament.
I always voted at my party's call,
And I never thought of thinking for myself at all.
I thought so little, they rewarded me
By making me the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
CHORUS. -- He thought so little, they rewarded him
By making him the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
Heck if I was Iran and I knew about this I'd just go ahead and grab a few more and maybe a whole ship.
If you put your military in harms way - and then tell them not to defend themselves - what do you call that?
(I have several possible solutions, but most of them would have me barred from this forum - especially if had put any of them in a header.)
solutions = suggestions
:(
British rules of engagement were “very much de-escalatory, because we don’t want wars starting
Yeah, that always works.
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