Andy Mcnab
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world/americas/3716497.stm
Todays banned list:
Sleep deprivation
Disorientation
Stress positions
Of course, everyone plays by the rules in wartime conflict...
The Human Rights issue necessitates that tomorrows banned list includes:
Bayonets
Bullets
Bombs
Then the 'Killing Factory' goes into full swing and, whaddya know...business is booming...
Jeez...must've woken up with my cynical head on...
>>By bikergirl (Saturday, 15 May 2004 10:13)
Out of curiosity and just one for the record,
My colleages and I are just a group of many soldiers who are a bit (to say the least) annoyed at the presence of such UK fake photographs and even more brassed at the thought that they were instigated by members of the TA (QLR) who should know better. Not only have they soiled the reputation of the majority of the TA soldiers who are dedicated and professional in their manner but also have now placed the regulars like myself in even more danger, especially as I have to go back there in a couple of weeks (just come back from there after a long stretch). OK, people have their own views on things but these few people, without any experience, decide to protest in their own manner without any consideration of the consequencies.
Totally unprofessional, totally careless and totally stupid.
If I may, I thought you all might be interested in a typical Iraqi perspective of all the things that have been happening lately. Whether I or you disagree on these, factually, it is what the majority of typical Iraqi citizens think and feel, coming from their mouths only - not my view.
Incidently, I will never pretend to be an expert on Iraq as I am not. But I have been deployed there eight times since 1991 (the first Gulf conflict of which I was also engaged in - Operation Granby) and soon it will be my ninth. I have been engaged very closely to Iraqi citizens where many have "put me up for the night or two" and were very welcoming - a far cry from what the media frenzy have been saying in the UK. That's the media for you.
The majority of Iraqi citizens welcomed the US/UK forces at the start of the conflict to rid Hussein and his regime. Going by the numerous villages and towns I have just come from in Iraq, the majority still welcome and support the US/UK forces there - well they did two weeks ago. Why do I say that - because they constantly keep telling us.
I think many people in the west do not fully realise that many in the Middle East have all the mod-cons that we enjoy here - satellite TV, video/DVD etc. Thing that you read in the newspaper or watch on TV, normally they would know about it as well. If I had a fiver for the amount of times Iraqi families have told me and my colleages how much they detest anti-war protestors over here - I would be a rich man. The factual view of the majority of Iraqi's is that all the anti-war protestors in the west are looked as anti-Iraq protestors. It's a shame for the majority of protestors mean well and are of good intent - but have no factual experience of what life was like under Hussein's regime. You see chaos there now but they see freedom. The problems now that you see on TV/newspapers is not everywhere in Iraq and is not typical. It is in fact only in a number of major towns etc and of which in small areas only. The media blows things out of proportion - as usual. Also the problems are almost entirely caused by extremist factions (Shiite fundamentalists) who are loyal to Hussein and terrorist groups. They do not represent the Iraqi people, of which are really ticked by the whole thing. They want them dead more than the US/UK forces do.
The media is a powerful weapon. Virtually everything that you know or have views on about the Iraq situation, unless you have personally been there, you have got from the media in some shape or form.
If the media sensationalise and just want gossip, if they get it wrong then......................
I am not a Blair-ite and I personally think Bush is an idiot to say the least. No soldier with any sense want to go to war and I certainly did not either. But do you know.........I'm glad I did. Despite what the media or inexperienced people say, the majority of UK/US soldiers like myself are not fighting the war for government - we are fighting the war for Iraqi citizens and more importantly we have the factual support of them too. The majority of Iraqi citizens feel that the only real mistake Blair made was that right at the beginning he should not have said the reason for deployment was to find WMD. He should just have said he was going to topple Hussein's regime and help the Iraqi people...and of course, the terrorist link - of which mark my words, from experience, there was definitely a link with Hussein's regime.
I guess there is a difference from actually complaining about something and actually being there to see that "something" and finding out how wrong people are on it. We call them arm-chair critics.
Apologies for the rambling, just thought some first-hand info might be of interest.
Reginald
>>By Reginald (Saturday, 15 May 2004 13:42)
Very interesting Reginald, and thanx for the inputs!
Experience is everything. And it wasn't a shocker that it would be Natonilal Guard US hillbillies that were able to screw up the "interrogation-incident". When I saw the interview with one female MP on CNN, my first thought was
"hmm.... haven't I seen that girl in a Ricki Lake show once??"
The Brits have over 30 years of experience with this kind of warfare (Iraq) with Northern Ireland....
US troops weren't able to a good job even in Kosovo after the NATO-bombing sorties.....
>>By ortlieb (Saturday, 15 May 2004 14:51)
By the way....
Snafu-bar? Is that like "the chocolate for when you're REALLY in the shit!!" Hehe....
>>By ortlieb (Saturday, 15 May 2004 14:55)
Thank you, Reginald, for your insight and candor. Do not apologize, tho! Nothing you've shared could even remotely be construed as "rambling" -- rather, you've presented your unique, first-hand knowledge with honest, straightforward eloquence. It's probably a fair assumption that most of us here, given our predisposition toward all (or most) things military, are already skeptical of the way politicians and the media sensationalize, distort, and spin "reality" for the public. But to read your words, to hear your soldier's perspective, to learn the truth from someone who has actually been there, done that is absolutely invaluable. Above all tho, Reg, I want to thank you most especially for the tremendous sacrifices you've made (8 tours!) and are willing to continue to make (a 9th!!!). My (our) debt to you and to all serving is beyond words. Thank you.
>>By am-i-binned (Saturday, 15 May 2004 15:28)
An excerpt:
"Torture is repulsive. It is deliberate cruelty, a crude and ancient tool of political oppression. It is commonly used to terrorize people, or to wring confessions out of suspected criminals who may or may not be guilty. It is the classic shortcut for a lazy or incompetent investigator. Horrifying examples of torturers' handiwork are catalogued and publicized annually by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other organizations that battle such abuses worldwide. One cannot help sympathizing with the innocent, powerless victims showcased in their literature. But professional terrorists pose a harder question. They are lockboxes containing potentially life-saving information. Sheikh Mohammed has his own political and religious reasons for plotting mass murder, and there are those who would applaud his principled defiance in captivity. But we pay for his silence in blood."
This is from a very powerful article I read last year by Mark Bowden, the national correspondent and author of "Black Hawk Down." It is a long article, and at the time I found it both morbidly both fascinating and disturbing, and now, with everything that's come out about the (US) treatment of the Iraqi prisoners, it has been heavily on my mind. So I did some searching and found a link....
www.theatlantic.com/issues/2003/10/bowden.htm
>>By am-i-binned (Saturday, 15 May 2004 17:03)
Reg, you don't have to apologise at all, I agree absolutely with AIB.
You should send what you've written here to the newspapers, it's about time they start changing tunes, and let the public know how things really are "evolving". Instead of hanging on the lips of the media, journalists, who can't wait to go out there, just to get more ££££.
out of any negativaty they encounter along their trip.
Question : what happens today when a soldier gets courtmarshalled?
Does that mean that he/she goes to jail or what ?
>>By borisette (Saturday, 15 May 2004 17:30)
Reg...just, thank you.
Not rambling at all. It's what I've been hearing.
As Bo suggests, the sort of input ex-Mirror Ed's should have been searching for. Instead of offering an ever increasing financial lure for sensationalism in the bid to shift a few more copies of the old rag.
>>By bikergirl (Saturday, 15 May 2004 18:17)
Thank you for your post, Reg. It was nice to read info from someone who's actually been there and dealt with the Iraqi people on the ground.
Too bad it's not in the interest of the media to print things that show the good being done. It's so hard for a photo-journalist to win a Pulitzer for photos of a story that takes some time to tell instead of the instant recording of tragedy, pain and fear.
Ortie -- Shame on you! That was Jerry Springer, not Rikki Lake! Really, though... it's a shame these people will forever be branded with brief acts of stupidity, but those are the consequences of stupid actions. As Reg said about the TA, the majority of the National Guard are good people trying to do their jobs properly, but it will be a long time before they are seen in that light.
Borisette -- When a soldier is court-martialed they can be found guilty or not guilty or variations therein as in a civilian court of law. There are other issues involved, since the military courts are a little bit different. IIRC, if found guilty, punishments can vary from fines, loss of privileges, brig time (like jail as opposed to prison), general discharge, dishonorable discharge, incarceration in a military prison, or death. Perhaps bb could answer that question as far as how the British system works.
>>By Dare (Saturday, 15 May 2004 20:38)
what a naive bunch you are here, and Reg, really 9 tours, which regiment?
You talk as if these Iraqis are guilty of something, the only thing they are guilty of is not being happy that they were invaded by a foreign power who wants their oil. Saddam could have been ousted any time over the past 15 or so years. The army admit over 98% of those detained know nothing are not guilty of anything, some might know a little, bit like the 10 degree of separation we all play with, nothing justifies torturing men, women and children. The US/UK are being hardened to the idea that torture is ok, so that what comes next will be accepted.
Torture is endemic in US prisons and guess who those men and women are sent to guard Iraqi's, yep prison service men and women and please dont thnk Brits dont do this kind of thing, I was involved in taking Argentinian ears from the burgens of Paras, hopefully these were removed while their owners were dead and we confiscated all the unprocessed film and destroyed it,without knowing what was on them, we didn't need to have proof of what we knew.
I have been in the army for many years, and try to make a difference for the good, I wont turn a blind eye, nor a deaf ear, so I get a lot of flak, but sometimes, in secret, someone will thank me. I leave soon, getting old and I dispair for my daughters, this invasion of Iraq has brought nothing but hatred towards the UK, not sure where Reg has been, not what i have seen or heard. I haven't been there 9 times, only twice, but what we have done to this noble civilisation will haunt us for decades to come.
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/1901/sw190113.htm
try that website, not easy reading
>>By barkingbob (Sunday, 16 May 2004 04:44)
Well now, Pierce *Mirror* Morgan was rightly shoved off his self-imposed godly plinth...Daresay more than a few soldiers would like to get their mittens pummelling away at his chubby cheeks!
As for the Fake pics, well who thought otherwise!? It's standard sh*t tactics of tabloid neswpapers to conduct or incite news items (mostly non-news celeb rubbish) = agent provocateur in various formats...
9 tours Reg - that's medal power, and worthy of a journalistic medal, too...
Er, umm, re your comment: Also the problems are almost entirely caused by extremist factions (Shiite fundamentalists) who are loyal to Hussein and terrorist groups. They do not represent the Iraqi people, of which are really ticked by the whole thing.*
You are entirely right that it is *Shiite* fundamentalists led by Moqtada Sadr's (leader cleric) who are causing mayhem alongside (allied) Sunni Ba'ath party fighters, but may I point out the Shiite's were never loyal to Saddam Hussein or his regime, their loyalty as citizens of Iraq was brutally enforced of which many were slaughtered for their resistance to Hussein!!!
Post GW2 Amrican/British occupation: In Basra, Sunni prayer leaders called for rallies (July 2003)against the threat that Shiites loyal to the firebrand cleric *Muqtada al-Sadr* would seize Sunni mosques in the city. In Baghdad, disgruntled Sunni clerics said it was shameful for the American-appointed governing council to declare April 9 the day of Baghdad’s fall, which Sunnis regard as the beginning of a foreign occupation a national holiday. They alleged that the apportioning of seats in the council by religious affiliation was an American attempt to divide and rule.
In their Friday demonstrations, the Sunnis insisted that the new governing council did not reflect *the Iraqi reality*. They claimed that Sunnis were a majority in Iraq and should not be a minority in the governing council. (Actually, Shiites are estimated by social scientists to comprise 60-65 percent of the Iraqi population).
At the Umm al-Qura Mosque, (damaged only yesterday by US troops)the Sunnis held up placards asserting the governing council had been appointed by dictators. Chillingly, some chanted: *O Baghdad, revolutionary. Let (American civil administrator Paul) Bremer’s fate be that of Nuri*. The reference was to Nuri al-Said, the conservative pro-British prime minister who was torn apart by revolutionary mobs during the republican coup of 1958.
Sadr’s (shiiite muslim cleric)followers staged their own demonstration in Basra Friday, demanding that the governing council be expanded with the addition of elected delegates. Sadr, 30, gave his Friday prayer sermon to thousands at his family’s mosque in Kufa. He called for non-violent non-cooperation with the US civil administration and what he referred to as the *illegitimate* governing council, calling them infidels. He then demanded the establishment of an alternative shadow government for Iraq, in cooperation with other Islamic forces, insisting on an alternative convention to draft a constitution in accordance with Islamic law. He also announced the formation of a so-called *army of the Mahdi*, a formal militia of Shiites loyal to him. The Sadr movement already has an informal paramilitary force, which controls many east Baghdad neighborhoods.
American jeeps were parked close to Sadr’s house Saturday shortly before noon. (Lo and Behold - his militia (not loyal to Saddam in the remotest form of the word loyal)
His people took the move as a sign that US troops intended to arrest him for his Friday remarks. The coalition authorities denied such an intention. Later that day, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz visited Najaf, and the outbreak of the Sadr movement’s demonstrations may have forced him to leave early. An estimated 10,000 Sadr followers marched from the shrine of Imam Ali, their holiest site, to the US military headquarters, chanting: *Long live Sadr. America and the council are infidels. Muqtada, go ahead; we are your soldiers of liberation*. The protests spread to Baghdad and Basra, where adherents demanded that the US release their leader. In fact, Sadr was never taken into custody and sent out letters to protesters asking them to go home. (he was using peaceful tactics then, but America's hardline response has now got them fighting a Shiite/Sunni coalition made up of Al sdr's militia and ex Saddam Ba'ath party members - effectively ex enemies allied to drive the US from its soil...Bear in mind in 1970s many Iraqi muslims switched allegience from Sunni to Shiite, much like an anglican churchgoer decides to become a catholic or vice versa)...
As we know eligious demonstrations escalated but were barely covered by the Western media, and what has transpired as highly significant is that state of play has now shifted radically toward a unification of Iraq as happened in Iran when Ayatollah Hommani (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei now leader) united sectarian Islam to one cause!
Meantime, the religious demos in 2003 brought to the fore the plight of Sunnis in the south, many of whom were being targeted for reprisals by militant Shiites. If large-scale Sunni-Shiite disturbances were to have broken out in Iraq, it would have complicated the US task enormously. The rhetoric of the radical mosque preachers of both branches of Islam pointed to another possibility, however, namely that groups seeking an Islamic state will join together across sectarian lines to challenge the Americans and the governing council. Such cooperation is not unheard of in Iraq, where an estimated 10 percent of the radical Shiite Al-Daawah Party was Sunni in the 1970s. (Yep, they changed sides, and although they will smile at a British soldier (face on) most would knife him metaphorically in the back and do while others embrace occupying forces - the situation in Iraq is not unlike the continual undercurrent of undermining occupying forces as experienced in NI, where children spy and adults pass on the info through child runners...) Nothing new in that, and I bet when the truth comes out about kids shot in Iraq (soldiers up on serious charges) though the truth may well be suppressed by military sources and denied by Iraqis, it happened in NI, and it's happened in nearly every conflict the bRitish army has encountered over centuries of occupying forces duties!!!
Whether Sunni and Shiite radicals fight one another or forge a political alliance, (as quoted in 2003) they pose a significant long-term threat to US plans for the country. Their weapon of choice large urban demonstrations is very difficult for an occupying army to fight. (Boy oh boy, is urban warfare - no matter what Reg says in respect of isolated incidents - it is entrenched resistance in the major towns not provincial border villages...
Barking bob, nice try...It's bizarre how Human rights organisations set standards for warfare etc., meantime elite SF troops are regularly put through tortuous training procedures (SAS/SBS extensive training procedures that well, are really nothing less than systematic torture), but hell if they can't get through it they are not able to sustain the kind of treatment AM sustained, and remarkably survived in tact: according to him...Whose he trying to kid?
>>By devonwren (Sunday, 16 May 2004 10:41)
Thanks for all your comments. Appreciation to you all.
Barking Bob :
Since 1991, eight times in Iraq is nothing special. I've known people who have been deployed there even more times. Like myself, whether part of a Brigade, sole parent Regiment deployment or as a Platoon, it mounts up and the amount I've tallied is nothing special.
My parent Regiment and attached unit is not important to anyone and I do not imply at all that the Iraqi's are guilty of something. Also (in the real world), invading a country purely for oil benefits is for conspiracy buffs only. People are pretty tunnel-visioned if they purely believe this.
Collecting ears ! I take it you are referring to Op. Corporate (the Falklands crisis). In my 22 years service, I started life being deployed to the Falklands and yes then I was serving as a battalion member of the Parachute Regiment. I've seen some sights but never any ears - not quite sure if you are talking about a different Argentina. With a close affinity with 1, 2 and 3 Para Batallion, I resent your remark most sternly, Sir.
After all, we are talking UK Task Force, not US Viet Nam Rambo-ites !
PS "Burgen" is spelt "Bergen"
DW : Shiites loyal to Hussein - Point taken most kindly.
Isolated incidents - apologies - the word isolated was not used to put over very small incidents. Yes there definitely is entrenched resistance in major cities with considerable "show" when surfaced, but was pointing out that "problems" are not everywhere and not typical and rampant all over such cities, well, not from what Myself and my colleages observed.
Reg
>>By Reginald (Sunday, 16 May 2004 11:56)
Wow, lots to read if one only takes a little break.
Nice to see you back Reg and compliments for your calm expounding (is that a word??) a pleasant read :o)
>>By Lynn (Sunday, 16 May 2004 13:53)
Some further news about Andy Mcnab's new book Deep Black :
McNab's new novel is set in Bosnia and Baghdad
here's an interesting site aswell about the US SF :
http://www.strategypage.com//fyeo/
howtomakewar/default.asp?
target=HTSF.HTM
BB :< what a naive bunch you are here> hey that's not a nice thing to say, I think we're all big enough to understand what's really going on in Iraq. This is an islamic country, who hasn't known democracy, so how can the people only understand the meaning the concept of freedom and democracy, when their religion is based on teocracy, and teocracy denies democracy !
>>By borisette (Sunday, 16 May 2004 13:57)
Bexcellent Bo 'bout Bosnia/Bhagdad ! Now where did you find that? I'm thinking he calls you regularly to keep us informed ;o)
>>By Lynn (Sunday, 16 May 2004 16:47)
By-Jove, I love you gals,
Well it's a hello to you too, Lynn.
I'm off out on the town soon for some Pimms - not really, disgusting stuff - for the ruperts and girlies (no offence). My tipple is Babycham - no really, it's whisky (or if I don't care - anything that has alcohol in !)
"Bexcellent Bo 'bout Bosnia/Baghdad " .......won't be able to say that tonight on the way home that's for sure ! .........probably won't even be able to find home come to think about it !
You've all caught me in a good mood, sun's out and won a tenner on the ol' lottery last night.
Don't know if it's true but it has been brought to my attention that a certain someone who lingers about our Camp - usually doing nothing I might add - has had dealings with AM and some of his mates and they often ridicule him (AM) concerning "the parting of his knees" - make from that as you will, I'm, lost. Transpires that they have configured Andy Mc Nab into Bandy Man (excluding the "c") regarding his leg activities. The poor chap here swears it's the truth but he's probably telling porkies ! Though out of interest, I know he has genuinely attended some of AM's Security Seminars with a few of AM's chums.
Anyway, less of the trivia............
............talk about trivia !
Don't worry if you job is small,
And your rewards are few.
Remember that the mighty Oak,
Was once a nut like you.
..................Let me drink to you all tonight,
Your Reginald
>>By Reginald (Sunday, 16 May 2004 18:06)
Hi Folks
You might be interested in this
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/
sundaystartimes/0,2106,2908644a6442,00.html
News article about ex NZSAS civilian contractor in Iraq.
Regards,
T.S.
>>By The Scandinavian (Monday, 17 May 2004 08:07)
Thanks for that bookinformation...Borisette bestows bounty to board 'bout Bosnia and Baghdad...
But...
Weren't those locations bandied about on previous pages here?
What should be suggested for the final instalment?
Next time AM pops round Borisette, please ask him 'bout Reg's
Babycham (!) banter...BandyMan...
(Hope you found home Reg)
>>By bikergirl (Monday, 17 May 2004 12:16)
Thank you Reginald for your balanced, informed perspective. I can never work out where barkingbob is coming from, he seems jealous of those who have been there and done it, always off at a tangent making me wonder if I read the same thing as him. I once had to attend meetings which included a similar character, preferred his own bitter perspective about any subject under discussion and would not stick to the point. We eventually used to forget to invite him.
Reginald's considered and experienced comments are a breath of fresh air compared to the sensationalised tripe that the media throw at us every day. Stereotypes are a dangerous and stupid thing, given that the good, the bad, and the ugly exist in all nations and races. Michael Asher (The Real Bravo Two Zero) states that he encountered great kindness and hospitality from all of the Iraquis he encountered even though his own countrymen had trashed their communities only a few years before.
In the city where I live there are around two hundred Iraqui assylum seekers who have been here now for several years, most are Kurds. Some of these people indulge in tribal knife fights with each other whilst others consider street robbery a good career move. However, the vast majority are hard working, decent people. There are a number of industries in the area who could not function without the refugees who are industrious and reliable workers, doing jobs which the indiginous youth consider too difficult or tedious for their sensibilities.
>>By camban (Monday, 17 May 2004 13:11)
Thank you camban and Reg for your words of wisdom.
Agree on BB... never sure if it's his posts are the height of satiric wit or the ramblings of an angry person with too much alcohol in veins. No offense, BB. Either way, they are thought provoking on a number of levels. ;-)
Just saw this story on the web... waiting to hear corroborating stories but doesn't bode well. No WMD people kept saying ... interesting. I always thought the deadliest "weapon of mass destruction" possible was a person with an axe to grind. The tools are incidental. Those funky, clever, legal-mumbo-jumbo definitions always struck me as patronizing and smug. 3000 Iraqi's at a time in mass graves (plural). Sounds like mass destruction to me. Anyway...
http://www.foxnews.com
/story/0,2933,120137,00.html
>>By Dare (Monday, 17 May 2004 16:53)
I would totally like to second Reg's comments. How often do you read a front page headline in the tabloids like this: "SHOCK HORROR AS IRAQIS CLAIM TO BE HAPPY", or, "ENTIRE IRAQ VILLAGE HAPPY WITH LIFE AFTER TYRANT"
It doesn't happen. I too have toured Iraq more than once (although I've been in civvy street now for a couple of years and doubt if I'll return) but my experience in the British Army also gave me a feel good factor and a sense of job satisfaction over many years. Not because I was told Queen and country were happy, but because I have my own values, thoughts and goals in life.
I also have a few Iraqi friends back in the UK who are extremely happy with SH's downfall. Some of their stories of the former regime and their families are too upsetting for words.
I've noticed a few people critisized on this site for sharing their experiences, which is why I am reluctant to share my own here. BarkingBob is probably a good psydeneum (ignore typo!) He obviously is barking mad - either that or spent his tours warming beans and sausges for the men and never actually interconnected with the REAL Iraqi people.......
Anyway, I digress. What's the gossip on McNab's new book, and where did the Deep Black rumour come from? Loved Dark Winter, one of his best after a couple of dodgy ones (Last Light only gets a 5/10 from me I'm afraid), I think he has struggled to reach the hights of Remote Control and possibly Crisis Four. Anyone agree or care to comment?
TBBM
>>By The BIG Bossman (Tuesday, 18 May 2004 13:31)
Hi Big Bossman, how big are you, and what are you boss of? There are some discussions on Deep Black on the previous page(s) and the subject matter. Long time to wait though; November! Probably a cynical ploy by the publisher to gain Xmas sales.
It must be my sweet, uncritical nature, but I have enjoyed all of the books equally!
You should share your experiences. I don't think anyone gets criticised for simply doing that, it is putting inappropriate spin on things that seems to cause counter attacks. Anyway, sticks and stones...?
>>By camban (Tuesday, 18 May 2004 15:15)
Who Dares Chats?
A tester chatroom, available 24/7, has been set up for SAS-related gnooks boards (AM, CR, MC, DFalconer, DFrances, etc). The URL is: http://www.chatzy.com/?936403132436.
Now all that are needed are volunteer chatters....
>>By Majorette (Tuesday, 18 May 2004 15:22)
Just been on that site with all the others, still dizzy! Anyway, Sarah Ford from a guy's perspective, should add old guy. I don't think her sexploits were unusual, after all, she clearly craved a permanent relationship and, under normal circumstances, would probably have achieved it. Actually, her reaction to the loss of her relationships was the same as Frances Nicholson's, presume you have read hers too? Basically, I admired her sheer grit and courage in the same way as I admire the male writers. The dedication demonstrated by these people is the reason I read their books. Speaking of which, just finished Peter McAleese's "No Mean Soldier", the man has had an amazing life, anyone else read it?
>>By camban (Tuesday, 18 May 2004 16:07)
TBBM
"I've noticed a few people critisized on this site for sharing their experiences, which is why I am reluctant to share my own here"
Glad you did share and though I don't always agree with BB it's great that he shares his views too. For me it's the beauty of seeing different angles and trying to make up my own mind, which is not easy and believe me, I've made my mistakes in 174 pages ;o)
So by all means - I cannot promise you the content of your views are always appreciated or agreed with by everyone, but there are a lot of people here who enjoy and appreciate all your views. And my compliments to all new posters, thanx for sharing.
As for Deep Black, for the mo it's still where we are until there is more news about the book ;o)
Great Majorette !! We'll be there.... ;o)
>>By Lynn (Tuesday, 18 May 2004 17:10)
Hi camban,
re: Sarah Ford's book... I agree with you, I don't think her sexploits were unusual, either. Afterall, she was a young single woman living and working in very close proximity with tons of incredibly fit men for 18 months. Something is bound to happen. (btw, I have not read Nicholson's book, so I can't draw any comparisons there). I'm just surprised she was so candid about her relationships; it's such a small community, not sure I would list all my lovers for the world to see if I were her.
I thought her book was vaguely reminiscent of Immediate Action... details of her life, her training, and tons of vignettes and "one day while I was..." stories. None of them were truly spectactular or burned into my brain, though. I DID find the training descriptions very interesting.
And yes, there is no doubt about it- anybody who does that job has to have an ample supply of grit and courage. I can't imagine how frustrating it must have been for her at the end of her tour to be sent back to aircraft maintenance.
>>By Majorette (Tuesday, 18 May 2004 17:22)
I've not read no mean soldier but you can get an extract here:
http://www.geocities.com/
Yosemite/Forest/1771/
nomean.htm
I liked what I read there, although reading the middle of the book is probably an a*se over head way of starting a book.
>>By Bethan (Tuesday, 18 May 2004 17:35)
Nice one reg, I thought i was the only person that drunk and typed usually ending up with passages that sounded most profounding in my alcohol hightened state but once read the next day didn't make as much sense i previously thought. anyway you did a better job than me since i could not use............................... that as it would make me fall off my chair.
>>By Nemesis2842004 (Tuesday, 18 May 2004 20:32)
also found the reason for a lot of my typos ( I need a new keyboard pooor me) well have a good one all i'm off to cyprus to play rugby for 2 weeks so enjoy work. hhahahahahahahaha
>>By Nemesis2842004 (Tuesday, 18 May 2004 20:34)
also beware of a gopher invading (oops liberating these pages) last seen with a 66 or maybe a carl gustove on his shoulder green helmet and black tape across his eyes.
if you are somewhat confused look at bossmans profile>
>>By Nemesis2842004 (Tuesday, 18 May 2004 20:37)
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