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duckznutz · 07-22-2003, 07:30 AM

My misunderstanding . . . . . . . . the 50.5% quoted was the figure I had in mind . . not sure what discretionary spending means.

No offence meant on the 'robot' comment . . . . being immersed in an institution suits many people, who realy like the 'not having to think' part of it all. They dont have to worry what to cook or wear or what do do next . . . its an almost zen-like environment where you can find relaxation without the stress of making a decision.

I am not saying that soldiers have no emotion . . . no-one can question their sense of comradeship . . my point was that the hierarchy of command is essential . . . and whilst the modern miltary personnel are more likely to be programming co-ordinates or working comms or logistics on a laptop . . . (certainly not not 'cannon fodder') . . . . . the fact remains that they do what the politicians say (even the generals). . . . otherwise you have a military government . . so whilst the basic soldiers have thoughts and feelings . . . . they will always do as ordered.

You will no doubt recall Donald Rumsfeld complaining when five of the USA captured soldiers were paraded in front of the Iraqi television cameras. He was correct to do so as Article 13 of the third Geneva convention, concerning the treatment of prisoners, insists that they "must at all times be protected... against insults and public curiosity".

His prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, however, where 641 men are held, breaches no fewer than 15 articles of the third convention. The US government broke the first of these (article 13) as soon as the prisoners arrived, by displaying them, just as the Iraqis have done. Whilst I personnally have no problem with the terrorists in Cuba being treated in this way . . I am not aware of any soldiers not doing as ordered in guarding, feeding, looking after and transporting them.

07-22-2003, 07:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
duckznutz Addict Location: Brook Cottage, Lanark, Scotland	My misunderstanding . . . . . . . . the 50.5% quoted was the figure I had in mind . . not sure what discretionary spending means. No offence meant on the 'robot' comment . . . . being immersed in an institution suits many people, who realy like the 'not having to think' part of it all. They dont have to worry what to cook or wear or what do do next . . . its an almost zen-like environment where you can find relaxation without the stress of making a decision. I am not saying that soldiers have no emotion . . . no-one can question their sense of comradeship . . my point was that the hierarchy of command is essential . . . and whilst the modern miltary personnel are more likely to be programming co-ordinates or working comms or logistics on a laptop . . . (certainly not not 'cannon fodder') . . . . . the fact remains that they do what the politicians say (even the generals). . . . otherwise you have a military government . . so whilst the basic soldiers have thoughts and feelings . . . . they will always do as ordered. You will no doubt recall Donald Rumsfeld complaining when five of the USA captured soldiers were paraded in front of the Iraqi television cameras. He was correct to do so as Article 13 of the third Geneva convention, concerning the treatment of prisoners, insists that they "must at all times be protected... against insults and public curiosity". His prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, however, where 641 men are held, breaches no fewer than 15 articles of the third convention. The US government broke the first of these (article 13) as soon as the prisoners arrived, by displaying them, just as the Iraqis have done. Whilst I personnally have no problem with the terrorists in Cuba being treated in this way . . I am not aware of any soldiers not doing as ordered in guarding, feeding, looking after and transporting them. __________________ Where your talents and the needs of the world cross . . there lies your vocation.