General Chat

fitz, that goes back to michael heseltine, when we had a conservative government. bryan.

Bryan, don't know what government, do know its a bit hypocritical?

agree with you fitz, it is. bryan.

I quite agree with you Fitz. However selling arms to other nations seems to be the only way in which we can have arms ourselves. The requirements of modern weaponry changes constantly. They are all provided by private companies and cost billions for RD&D. Companies put in initial bids and then probably 3 are invited to develop further - at their own expense - and only one will eventually be awarded the contract. They have to recoup their losses from somewhere. The government (MOD) allow the companies to sell to other nations, presumably according to the political alliances at the time. Most of the British defence industry is part of American conglomerates. Ironic isn't it? We are now in the position where defence experts have to go to Iraq to liase with the MOD about the very weapons being used against them. Jay

Going back to Roberts question --- we do

Agree entirely Jay, but going oiff the thread then .. why are the US/UK/China etc etc allowed to have nuclear weapons but as the US police the world they say Iran /India can't? In other words why is it ok for some countries to have nuclear weapons and not others??

Robert, Yes we do -- unless I'm found tomorrow with my throat cut/hanged etc

Lol all the others dead??

Dunno Fitz! Something to do with the big fish picking off the little fish, perhaps? Why do only victors write the history books? Why do only some countries commemorate the Armistice on Nov 11th? (We went to Dublin last weekend, and we were the only two wearing poppies - yet loads of Irish fought with the British army and lost their lives) Jay

again, i agree with you fitz... but there is a difference in having nuclear weapons for defensive reasons, as against offensive reasons. bryan.

I'm still here! :-) It's neither ok nor not ok Fitz, it's political expediency. If Iran and America suddenly became allies for some reason, America would be more than happy for them to have nuclear weapons.

Jay, I would never have worn a poppy in Dublin on Armistace day --- it shows you have never studied the deep religious significance?

oil comes to mind felicity. bryan.

Bryan, Whats the difference? Offensive/defensive? surely in the mind of the Nation?

Felicity, Hit the nail on the head! If it suits America

As for Roberts original thread ... Yes in other countries we would be dead now Great to have a debate .... but dinner calls

fitz, like it or not, oil rules the world. i would love to say food and water, but i would be wrong. bryan.

Bryan You are totally right I know I work for it!

Fitz, Significance of the poppy, or of Irish history??? I actually wore it as a mark of respect - the soldier I was going to marry was killed in action over 30 years ago, and I always wear a poppy on that day in remembrance of him. (No one batted an eyelid at us wearing them) Jay

Enjoy your dinner Fitz! I hope we come up with something else for the world to run on before the oil runs out!