Do we need an army???

[Heligoland]

Even the ceremonial duties are quite limited


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dxTBK7jI1s

I thought gays were not allowed in the US army?

[Universal_001]

Does anyone else feel a litle sick when someone says, as if it's matter of fact, that the RAF and USAF will look after our needs? (then often the same people whinge about our "neutrality" being violated by US planes refueling here)

[fergalr]

We need them for the tiny bit of pomp that the State struggles to achieve in official ceremonies.

We don't need pomp (not even a tiny bit).

Every country has State ceremonies at which the armed forces play a large role. Now, I'd rather the lowish key British ones, such as the moving one at the Cenotaph as opposed to the almost Muscovite French Bastille Day invasion down the Champs Elysee :P

[louis bernard]

Does anyone else feel a litle sick when someone says, as if it's matter of fact, that the RAF and USAF will look after our needs? (then often the same people whinge about our "neutrality" being violated by US planes refueling here)

I don’t regard us as neutral in any real sense of the word. I have no problem with the US using Shannon (and it’s a nice little earner) and I feel very safe that the RAF are looking after our air space, seeing as we are not in a position to look after it ourselves.

[dub006]

an army is essential in a democracy as the final bulwark against chaos.

Its an insurance policy which like all such policies people complain about paying until they are in trouble and actually need it.

During the troubles the Defence Forces was very active ,much more than is generally recognised patrolling the border,acting in aid to the civil power by providing armed escorts for bank runs to prevent terrorists funding their nefarious activities etc.

It is also essential now that we are effectively in a one party state where almost the entire State apparatus is staffed by FF apparatchiks.
FF are interfering more and more in the proper functioning of the State..( look at FF 's efforts to rubbish the Tribunals,the Judicial arm of government)

I am not saying FF will become a dictatorship but they do have those tendencies and a depoliticised army such as we have will defend the Constitution and the people against any such action.

[pikey]

[quote=louis bernard]

Does anyone else feel a litle sick when someone says, as if it's matter of fact, that the RAF and USAF will look after our needs? (then often the same people whinge about our "neutrality" being violated by US planes refueling here)

I don’t regard us as neutral in any real sense of the word. I have no problem with the US using Shannon (and it’s a nice little earner) and I feel very safe that the RAF are looking after our air space, seeing as we are not in a position to look after it ourselves.[/quote:1hh9rz63]

Indeed , our "neutrality" is a total joke . I found it laughable to hear Micheal Martin and others proclaim " our neutrality is guaranteed" in the lisbon campaign .

People may cite the need for UN mandates as a safegaurd , but in recent years I think the UN has allowed itself to be hijacked and bullied by certain powers . Basically a UN mandate isnt worth the paper its written on . Isnt it time we had a debate on neutrality and either committed to it or abandoned it ?

[monet]

we need to play our part in the future common european defence and be an equal partner of the US in defending the West and policing the world .....

[stfrancis]

an army is essential in a democracy as the final bulwark against chaos.

Its an insurance policy which like all such policies people complain about paying until they are in trouble and actually need it.

During the troubles the Defence Forces was very active ,much more than is generally recognised patrolling the border,acting in aid to the civil power by providing armed escorts for bank runs to prevent terrorists funding their nefarious activities etc.

It is also essential now that we are effectively in a one party state where almost the entire State apparatus is staffed by FF apparatchiks.
FF are interfering more and more in the proper functioning of the State..( look at FF 's efforts to rubbish the Tribunals,the Judicial arm of government)

I am not saying FF will become a dictatorship but they do have those tendencies and a depoliticised army such as we have will defend the Constitution and the people against any such action.

to say we have a depoliticised army is mistaken. all senior appointments have to be ratified by cabinet, and it is common knowledge that senior officers 'attach' themselves to a political figure from one of the 2 main parties in order to assist their promotion.
obviously this is not mugabe style interfering but to say this does not happen is naive