Hmm, fair enough.
As a proud Brit, I reacted to what I saw as an insult to Britain and esp. her military, whom I will not allow any attack on here. I am sure you understand my anger. As most people on FR who make anti-British comments (and there are a surprising number) arent as eloquent as yourself.
I am glad you respect the British military and I actually agree with most of what you posted.
Re the hostages, rest assured that the group (bar the Royal Marines who behaved with dignity and honour) were and are despised by many Brits, who saw/see them as an embarrassment to the nation, and the epitome of modern Britain (usually the young men and women who serve Britain are the honourable exception to the lazy, antisocial rule prevalent these days) and of Labour’s Britain 1997-2010. Especially that little Mr Bean-esque clown of a sailor and the silly b*tch of a female rating, both of whom ran to the media. Hopefully both have left the Senior Service.
Hopefully Britain is becoming less PC and will be less so, with a public backlash aided by a conservative political shift.
Totally understand the anger. A good part of my schooling was under Scottish Catholic priests (the Holy Ghost Fathers) in Nairobi, Kenya, and thus I totally comprehend your ire. Totally justified actually. I hope what you say is true, because when I was last there (last March, in London for a PE function) I saw a lot that wasn’t very heartening. The British soldier is a good soldier, however any good soldier requires positive political will, wide public support, and robust understanding as to what the soldier provides to the country (be it by toil, coin, or blood). All the best to you and yours.