RAF staff abuse

[STEED]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/7283582.stm


personnel have reportedly been targeted for verbal abuse while wearing their uniforms in the city while travelling to and from work at the base, near Stamford, and while out shopping.

There really are some nasty folk out there. :nope:

[GlobalExplorer]

You mean like dropping bombs on muslim countries is ok, but hurting your airmens feelings is not?

I mean don't get me wrong, no matter if I'm a supporter of the war or not, but I think every one in the military must realize some people oppose it.

[joea]

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=132472

More like overblown for nothing, I've heard they were local yobs who also mock firefighters for example. Nothing political about it.

[STEED]

You mean like dropping bombs on muslim countries is ok, but hurting your airmens feelings is not?

I mean don't get me wrong, no matter if I'm a supporter of the war or not, but I think every one in the military must realize some people oppose it.

The problem not many of these abusive folk seem to realize that the Army obeys the government of the day so my advice to the anti lot is this. Stop throwing abuse at the army and throw it at the Labour government instead.

[Tango589]

Damn right Steed. It was reported that people were even throwing insults as navy cadets, who are only going to be in their teens or maybe twenty's! Do these people have nothing better to do with their time than insult people who are either carrying out thier country's orders or doing something to better their young lives?:shifty:

[AdlerGrosmann]

That's right. There is nothing better than serving your country or doing something that is right, no one should be insulted for that. They are a disgrace to their own country if they insult someone defending for them.

[Platapus]

The problem not many of these abusive folk seem to realize that the Army obeys the government of the day so my advice to the anti lot is this. Stop throwing abuse at the army and throw it at the Labour government instead.

I believe this is what the military calls "collateral damage". The military often kills innocent people and identify it by the quant euphemism "collateral damage". The "wrong people" are killed. Terribly sorry and all that, but you understand.

In this case instead of killing innocent civilians, innocent people (the military) are being teased. The "wrong people" are being teased.

If collateral damage is acceptable for the military, should it not be acceptable for civilians? Especially when only people's feelings are being hurt and not killed.

Personally I am opposed to blaming the military just for the reasons you mention. However I do have to recognize that freedom of expression also means freedom of expression that I may not agree with.

I remember being "teased" when I was in the military during a time when it was not so socially acceptable. Believe me, a little teasing by civilians did not effect me or my comrades all that much. The military is supposed to be able to handle more than a little teasing :)

The mark of a free society is how they treat the freedoms that go against the "norm"

Just another viewpoint.

[bradclark1]

One should not be "teased" or recieve "collateral damage" from ones own. Besides here is here and there is there so one shouldn't presume that there is the same as here and then is then and now is now so then is not now.

[Steel_Tomb]

I think a lot of people have forgotten the fact that if it weren't for the UK's armed forces they'd all be speaking bloody German right now. I understand people may not agree with the on-going wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but for goodness sake don't take it out on the military, its downright bloody pathetic. Perhaps they'd like to go out to a theatre of operations and do what they do? It's like shouting at a stick thats hit you instead of shouting at the person holding the stick! :damn: :nope:

[Platapus]

This is a topic that hits me pretty personally, hence my bombastic ramblings

Nowhere in any United States policy or regulation is it required for citizens to be respectful to the military or even recognize the worth and good work that the military does.



It would be nice if they did, but in a free society one of the more frustrating but essential aspects is that the very same people we are defending their right to free speech can use that freedom to express their feelings toward the military.

It is not fair
We may not like it
We may not appreciate it
We may not understand it

But we all have to accept that freedom means freedom

Back when I was called "loser", "Government stooge", "Baby killer" and worse I, like my brothers and sister in arms, had the inner strength to recognize that I am fighting for their freedom to say just those terms. In a whacky messed up way, I was feeling a little proud when this happened.

Clearly I am doing my job in protecting freedom when a civilian is able to throw abuses at me with no fear of retribution.

While I did not like being called those names, I will strongly fight any restriction on freedom of speech and expression.

All countries have freedom of speech

Some only have freedom if they say the "right" thing.
Others have freedom if they say both the "right" and the "wrong" thing

I know which society I want to live in. A society where a citizen has the right to express their feelings despite whether I agree with them or not.

So the next time some citizen criticizes or even verbally abuses either the government or the military, feel proud. Freedom is working and freedom is a good thing.

[Jimbuna]

You mean like dropping bombs on muslim countries is ok, but hurting your airmens feelings is not?

I mean don't get me wrong, no matter if I'm a supporter of the war or not, but I think every one in the military must realize some people oppose it.

The problem not many of these abusive folk seem to realize that the Army obeys the government of the day so my advice to the anti lot is this. Stop throwing abuse at the army and throw it at the Labour government instead.

Wey ya bugga!! http://imgcash6.imageshack.us/img231/1076/shockedvi8.gif

For once wey're in total agreement http://imgcash3.imageshack.us/img412/4774/thumbsuplargeon1.gif

[GlobalExplorer]

Platapus: You will hear this rarely from my mouth but I agree 100% with what you said.

To the others: What's wrong with you guys? You must have realized there are people who think it's a shame to bring war to the middle east -no matter how much you believe it's a necessity. Can't you accept that these people have a right to express their opinions? If they couldn't, what kind of society would that be?

In other words, if you're in the armed forces it's you that serves the country, not the other way around. It's your duty to protect democracy and that includes freedom of speech, and not to put your personal pride above anything else.

[bradclark1]

In other words, if you're in the armed forces it's you that serves the country, not the other way around. It's your duty to protect democracy and that includes freedom of speech, and not to put your personal pride above anything else.
Freedom of speech yes. By all means express your opinion. Harassment no. It's not in the contract. If you see your spouse being harassed on the street are you going to say "It's alright dear they are just practicing freedom of speech"? Somehow I don't think so. Being in uniform is not a license for people to abuse.

[Platapus]

Platapus: You will hear this rarely from my mouth but I agree 100% with what you said.


Clutching heart.. this must be the big one LoL

[GlobalExplorer]

Freedom of speech yes. By all means express your opinion. Harassment no. It's not in the contract. If you see your spouse being harassed on the street are you going to say "It's alright dear they are just practicing freedom of speech"? Somehow I don't think so. Being in uniform is not a license for people to abuse.

That's correct.

[GlobalExplorer]

Platapus: You will hear this rarely from my mouth but I agree 100% with what you said.


Clutching heart.. this must be the big one LoL

This was not directed against you .. just like most people in the internet I must disagree to someting even if I agreed to it in the last paragraph. Where would be the fun otherwise ;)