Nelson sunk by PC raiding party

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...622627,00.html

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ADMIRAL NELSON saw off the mighty Franco-Spanish fleet at the battle of Trafalgar but 200 years on, he has been sunk by a wave of political correctness. Organisers of a re-enactment to mark the bicentenary of the battle next month have decided it should be between “a Red Fleet and a Blue Fleet” not British and French/Spanish forces.

Otherwise they fear visiting dignitaries, particularly the French, would be embarrassed at seeing their side routed.

Even the official literature has been toned down. It describes the re-enactment not as the battle of Trafalgar but simply as “an early 19th-century sea battle”.

A host of French dignitaries will attend the event, which will take place off Southsea near Portsmouth, the home of Nelson’s fleet.

The aim is to create a spectacular “son et lumière” re-enactment with pyrotechnics, lights and effects from barges in the Solent. Tall ships will create the illusion of a real battle.

But the organisers of the event confirmed last week that there would be no national “sides”, a fact that has surprised some of the event’s sponsors.

One said: “It seems remarkable that we are not saying this is Britain versus France in this re-enactment. Surely 200 years on, we can afford to gloat a bit. Not even the French can try and get snooty about this.”

In the 1805 sea battle off the coast of Spain, Nelson’s 27 ships destroyed a combined French and Spanish fleet of 33 ships. The British lost no ships but sank or captured 22 of their opponents’ vessels.

Although Nelson died in the battle, his victory paved the way for Britain’s naval supremacy, which lasted a century.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Navy said: “This is an illustration and theatre on water. Nelson is featured, but we are not billing it as Britain versus France . . . This will not be a French-bashing opportunity.”

The battle will be staged in the evening of the international fleet review on June 28. The Queen and senior royals will attend the day’s events and government leaders from 73 countries have been invited.

Also present will be the Argentine navy, which fought the British fleet in 1982 over the Falkland Islands.

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Why would they find it offensive? Its history for goodness sake!

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Originally Posted by Templar Knight

Why would they find it offensive? Its history for goodness sake!

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Sure, the French could even bring an Exocet to top off the son et lumière spectacle.

To quote a Star Wars character: "This is outrageous!!!"

I wonder if this will help on any embarasment really... I mean the French knows when the battle of Trafalgar happened, perhaps not perfectly but when it is this obvious they know.
If I was a French dignitary I would curl my toes at this stumbling version of PC. And that can hardly be better than me feeling a little humiliated. It is easier to talk your way out of someone being a little humiliated than doingthe same with a person that is embarassed on your behalf.

Well, Every day God makes, I'm going to work through the "Gare du Nord", & see Eurostars heading towards "Trafalgar Station". I'm getting used to it. We didn't replace Austerlitz's sub station name neither. That's history.

So, well, The thing is gunners at Trafalgar were so badly trained that they could shoot one bullet when the poms could shoot several - some sources even say 10 per 1. Our admirals in those times were exceptionally bad. Maybe is it the real cause of that crap?

Well if the anniversary of Trafalgar is not a "French-bashing opportunity" what IS a French bashing opportunity I would like to know? If you ask me Trafalgar is the biggest french bashing opportunity since the Calais masochists society stood outside Milwall football ground handing out baseball bats, dressed in stripy jumpers berets and strings of onions, with signs round their necks saying "Im French bash me."

But seriously if its "an illustration and theatre on water" then it doesn't really matter does it. I reckon the Times is making up the bit about a re-enactment, this is EXACTLY what I mean when I say that paper has gone down the toilet.

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Well, Every day God makes, I'm going to work through the "Gare du Nord", & see Eurostars heading towards "Trafalgar Station". I'm getting used to it

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Waterloo, surely, mate? Sorry, there have been so many defeats its hard to keep track I know...

(I'm JOKING. Adrian II stop looking at me like that. I'm always nice about the Marne aren't I? And DON'T mention the Medway.)

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Originally Posted by English assassin

(I'm JOKING. Adrian II stop looking at me like that. I'm always nice about the Marne aren't I? And DON'T mention the Medway.)

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I don't know what you mean. Waterloo was a fine Prussian victory.

ahhh, one again political correctness wins the day.... :dizzy2:

IMHO, if we have to put up with restaurants named 'gallipoli' I think the french can suck it up and deal with it for a day.

Yet another proof that political correctness is the spawn of the devil.

This is another bizarre example of history being re-written to suit others. British history is strange, because normally history is written by the victors, but Britain has not lost most of these wars.

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Originally Posted by Al Khalifah

This is another bizarre example of history being re-written to suit others. British history is strange, because normally history is written by the victors, but Britain has not lost most of these wars.

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It would be more correct to say Britain was among the winners of major wars in the past two hundred years.

It's so bizzare. Well it will all backfire horribly when in 20 years everyone compensates by becoming hugely patriotic and anti-Europe.

lets hope so.

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It would be more correct to say Britain was among the winners of major wars in the past two hundred years

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Past thousand years, please.

So, diplomacy and the broadside went hand in hand, true enough. We never got into bed with someone just because it looked like they might win though did we? Quite the opposite much of the time. Hurrah for us.

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Originally Posted by English assassin

Past thousand years, please.

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What of King Earthrlfrwdith or whathisname then? Anyway, if you're so keen to join losers, I'll take that as a nil obstat to the EU Constitution. ~D

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Originally Posted by AdrianII

What of King Earthrlfrwdith or whathisname then? Anyway, if you're so keen to join losers, I'll take that as a nil obstat to the EU Constitution. ~D

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Well, obviously this would be extremely unwise in the naval context, but I think the UK Government is relying on the French to torpedo that.

Whereupon it will apparantly come back in an even more blatantly euro-socialist form in which case there is no way on earth it will get through the UK and we will have something quite like a genuine crisis on our hands. That is if the withdrawal of the UK from the EU is a crisis which I suppose honesty compels me to admit it may not be. Apparently Europe is able to function without daily interaction with the UK, although her ability to appreciate irony is, naturally, severely reduced.

It seems French voters are having some difficulty coming to terms with the concept that the EU does not exist largely to protect the French lifestyle, or so our media put it anyway. (NB to French Government: you can reform the UK rebate when you reform the CAP, OK?)

Q: 'NB' = ?
I see that abbreviation often here, but don't know its meaning. Looks like it's used similarly to 'p.s.'.

To the topic, the presenters of this gala are spinning their affair as "a reenactment of a generic 19th century naval battle that just happens to coincide with Trafalgar"?

Pretty thinly-veiled spin, it seems. Must be another one of those Brit-irony things. ~D

If somebody finds it offensive, why do they come on the invitation ?

The Aussies are braver. They celebrate Gallipoli.... ~;)

When is someone going to compensate me for the trauma of exams after years of learning an incorrect history of this country?

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Originally Posted by KukriKhan

Q: 'NB' = ?
I see that abbreviation often here, but don't know its meaning. Looks like it's used similarly to 'p.s.'.

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NB = Nota Bene ie: Note:
TTFN

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Originally Posted by TonkaToys

When is someone going to compensate me for the trauma of exams after years of learning an incorrect history of this country?

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Now, it is not incorrect, only politically incorrect and by believing it you become politically incorrect and so are any actions you ever do. I hope you have no plans of becoming a politician, this will sink you long before you step into any political debate. ~;)

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Originally Posted by TonkaToys

NB = Nota Bene ie: Note:
TTFN

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Bam! And you just fell into it using yet another, ie.

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Originally Posted by TonkaToys

NB = Nota Bene ie: Note:
TTFN

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:bow: Thanks for the addition to my abbreviation arsenel.

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Originally Posted by English assassin

Apparently Europe is able to function without daily interaction with the UK, although her ability to appreciate irony is, naturally, severely reduced.

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The Dutch will act somewhat as a bridge. We like to tell anyone in sight that we're unique. Never fails to break the ice at parties.

There is nothing wrong with stating that French lost that battle. I have not heard that French found that celebration offensive.

I mean, the good thing with countries like France or England/UK is that you can pick ANY day, and we'll be able to find a victory and a defeat; been in too many wars for that not to happen.
What matters is both countries were able to survive despite their defeat. Eventually we all win some, lose some, and pretty much stayed the same ~D

Louis,

No French bashing? NO FRENCH BASHING??!! Damn, that's one of my greatest hobbies...

How stupid is it that we cannot appreciate our history now. Trying to guilt trip us for our victories...

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Originally Posted by AdrianII

I don't know what you mean. Waterloo was a fine Prussian victory.

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I know I might be skinned alive by the many Dutch people on this forum, but I doubt Waterloo was a Dutch victory. Wasn't the first battalion to rout a Hollando-Belgian one? I think they even started firing at Wellington. Anyway, it was an allied victory, since the British could not have holded much longer on their ow, whilst if the Prussians had been alone, it would just have been a re-run of Jena-Auerstadt and Friedland.

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Originally Posted by Louis de la Ferte Ste Colombe

I mean, the good thing with countries like France or England/UK is that you can pick ANY day, and we'll be able to find a victory and a defeat; been in too many wars for that not to happen.
What matters is both countries were able to survive despite their defeat. Eventually we all win some, lose some, and pretty much stayed the same.

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Sorry, I think the French might have lost a few more than the English ~;) . And wasn't there a Monsieur Longue-Epeée who was campaining for the renaming of Waterloo Station? He said that if he did not receive satisfactionhe would try to make the Gare du Nord's name Gare de Fontenoy, where the british lost because they were just to gentelmanly ("Monsieur les Français, tiraient le premier!" translation: My lords then French, shoot first!").

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Originally Posted by King Malcom

No French bashing? NO FRENCH BASHING??!! Damn, that's one of my greatest hobbies...

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Mine too. Shall we form a club? I've found the perfect song. "For our old England's sake, sail to the Indies. Only the French to fight....."

I wouldn't underestimate the British sense of humor. Most likely this decision is aimed at condescending the French. At least, that's the only sane reason I can think of.

NB to the French, you have to make allowances for his majesty Henry V, history has gone to his head. Never forget you were jolly lucky at Agincourt, my king.

All we need now is a Frenchman to join with "De Gaulle" as his moniker and all the old conservative vs liberal battles will be put in the shade...

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Originally Posted by King Henry V

Mine too. Shall we form a club? I've found the perfect song. "For our old England's sake, sail to the Indies. Only the French to fight....."

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Britain's sake, not England's sake...
If you haven't notices, I am a Scot... Nelson's crews at Trafalgar were made up a quarter by Scots.

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Originally Posted by English assassin

NB to the French, you have to make allowances for his majesty Henry V, history has gone to his head. Never forget you were jolly lucky at Agincourt, my king.

All we need now is a Frenchman to join with "De Gaulle" as his moniker and all the old conservative vs liberal battles will be put in the shade...

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Yes, but I will be joined by my allies Wellington, Marlborough and of course, my uncle, Edward the Black Prince. Together our military geniuses will be so great no army could defeat us!

I apoligise King Malcom and I fully acnowledge the role played by Scottish troops in the acquisition of the British Empire.

And if any Frenchman feels unable to deabte history and politics with me because of the language barrier, I will be happy to debate in French. I don't go to a French school for nothing!

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Britain's sake, not England's sake...

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Understandable mistake, though, since Nelson made it too. "England expects .. " etc. Although I understand he wanted to signal "Nelson confides .. " but was talked out of it by the signal offiicer (fewer flags).

:help:

Im surprised we havent sent an offical apology for the incident. Usually that what the 'DO GOODER' want, and they usually get what they want

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