Originally Posted by Brandt

AT LAST!!!

After years and years, AT LAST someone at the top, who makes the headline on the news, has had the b@lls to stand up and be counted.

I knew the CGS when he was a Bde commander and was always really straightforward and what he said was always intelligent. I just think he has had enough of politicians raping HIS army, and has decided to do something about it.

If he gets the sack, watch out for fireworks- If he has had the balls to stand up for us, we should do the same.

Totally agree, I knew him as a CO. He was straight down the line and all for the moral and welfare of his troops. It will be a sad day if he has to resign. Watch out for the backlash. XIX 4 eva

Update on reuters headline going round the world tonight.

Army chief stands by Iraq troops remarks
Fri Oct 13, 2006 8:37 PM BST
By Deborah Haynes and Peter Graff

London (Reuters) - Britain's army chief said he stood by his comments that British troops should leave Iraq soon because their presence was worsening security, but he insisted on Friday this did not represent a split with the government.

Chief of the General Staff Richard Dannatt sparked a controversy when he told Friday's Daily Mail newspaper that post-war planning for the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq was "poor" and the presence of troops there was hurting British security globally.


The remarks, extraordinary from such a senior serving officer, could have political fallout on both sides of the Atlantic. The war has damaged the standing of Prime Minister Tony Blair and is a major issue for U.S. President George W. Bush's allies in congressional elections next month.

Dannatt said: "I don't say that the difficulties we are experiencing round the world are caused by our presence in Iraq, but undoubtedly our presence in Iraq exacerbates them.

"I think history will show that the planning for what happened after the initial successful war fighting phase was poor, probably based more on optimism than sound planning."

He added, Britain should "get ourselves out sometime soon because our presence exacerbates the security problems".

Hours after Dannatt's interview appeared, he made radio and television appearances to calm the political storm. He said his remarks were taken out of context but he did not deny them.

B0llocks, I missed all the fun...watched the Sopranos last night, which was good but nowhere as good as this!

The novelty of this is that CGS has told the truth. There is no exit strategy and there needs to be one. Bliar is desperate to peddle the myth that all will be well in Iraq for as long as possible, to stay in office and to create the illusion of a "legacy" - regardless of the cost in lives and regardless of the damage done to any prospect of success in Afghanistan.

The overwhelming message is that the public trust Gen Dannatt infinitely more than Bliar, who does not have the political capital or the nerve to sack or silence him.

General Sir Richard Dannatt for Lord Protector! :D

You have sat too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!

I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken.

I had rather have a plain, russet-coated Captain, that knows what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that which you call a Gentle-man and is nothing else.

Weeds and nettles, briars and thorns, have thriven under your shadow, dissettlement and division, discontentment and dissatisfaction, together with real dangers to the whole.

...and I can't see Bliar uttering anything like this:

Mr Lely, I desire you would use all your skill to paint my picture freely like me, and not flatter me at all; but remark all these roughnesses, pimples, warts and everything as you see me, otherwise I will never pay a farthing for it.

Originally Posted by flamingo

I'm sorry to see that the politicians still managed to twist The CGS's words to suit their own agendas (& cover their own aarse). I mean, "I agree with every word of it." "Our strategy is to withdraw from Iraq when the job is done." ... how twisty can you get! And senior torys calling for his resignation. I am coming to the conclusion that democracy is an over-rated concept!

That's called "positive spin".

We should be used to it by now.

Originally Posted by Ciderpress

Originally Posted by eveyuk

Originally Posted by Fred_Karno

Malcolm Rifkind on C4 News saying that CGS was wrong to speak out - apparantly he should have resigned first. I thought that Riffers was a vaguely sensible cove - how wrong I was. Clearly he completely fails to understand the Military Covenant and the idea that CGS has a moral duty to speak up for his subordinates who cannot.

Also a bit rich a politician telling us that we should resign before criticising the government. Why should we have to become unemployed before being heard - most politicos can only be removed from office with a heated shoe horn, and that's when they're caught out doing something very naughty.
Edited twice for mongness.

A member of thatchers cabinet.

Say no more.

Gimp.

Absolutely! And here is one of a political caste supporting the political clique, paid for by British taxpayers and our soldiers among them. What wonderful awards for service they vote for!

Another example of failed politicos, out of touch with the common weal. Whilst I support his party over the best of the alternatives, the common factor is that we deal with the best of among the worst of our society. I know some of our comrades have exchanged Her Majesty's shilling for a parliamentary opportunity to put things right, but so far their silence is deafening.

My point was that the Thatcher cabinet was a meek cabinet, they cowered in front of the “Iron lady”. I would not ask anyone who has served in it (with the exception of Howe) for an opinion of the Generals display of moral fibre.

Brandt , could I have your autograph please?

Or could you sign me a personal copy of the Independent? :D

Well done Sir Richard,

If anyone has the right to speak out on behalf of the men and women of the Army its him. Its just a shame that British politicians who supposedly represent the communities from were the men and women of the Army come from, no longer truly represent the British Armed Forces.
In fact other than paying lip service to them I don’t see many tangible benefits of serving in the Armed Forces, IMO because of the lack of funding by the Labor government.
God help the British Armed Forces when that other left winger becomes PM. Gordon Brown is a real fan of the Armed Forces and the many veterans isn’t he…

Nice one General, more of the same please Sir!

Richard Dannatt was my company commander.

He had the moral balls to ban piped porn on the "welfare" TVs in Fort Whiterock.

The tapes went straight back on when the rover group was deployed though....

General Sir Richard Dannatt for Lord Protector! :D

Amen to that.

And this. It is right up to date.

That night after the battle [of Naseby], Cromwell wrote to the Speaker of the Commons :

'Honest men served you faithfully in this action. Sir, they are trusty; I beseech you in the name of God not to discourage them. I wish this action may beget thankfulness and humility in all that are concerned in it. He that ventures his life for the liberty of his country, I wish he trust God for the liberty of his conscience, and you for the liberty he fights for.'

A pity the PM does not carry a copy of the Lord Protector's letters in his back pocket. Unfortunately, since it is already occupied by the rabid ramblings of a 7th century, desert-raiding demoniac, there isn't room :(

So if CGS is Cromwell, and Blair is Charles I, can I be the man with the big nasty axe?