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  1. #1
    Lord of the House Flies Member Al Khalifah's Avatar
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    Default America and the war on terror

    Since we have had Louis IV the Fat's thread about France and the war on terror, in light of today's news I thought it was time we had another thread on a similar vein.

    This story: US troops ordered to avoid London - source BBC news.

    The gist of the story is that US military personnel based in the UK (over 10,000) have been ordered not to go inside the M25 motorway following last Thursday's terror attacks. Family members are also being urged to stay away. The grounds given were that London may still be unsafe and could still be a potential target for terrorists.

    Now is this really the appropriate stance for an ally? More to the point, is this not blatant hiprocrisy on the grounds of the Bush administration given their "business will carry on as usual.... the terrorists will not be able to change our ways of life." The BBC article highlights this by saying:
    Details of the travel ban, enforced on Friday, emerged as US President George W Bush said the US would "not retreat in the face of terrorists" .

    He said: "In this difficult hour, the people of Great Britain can know the American people stand with you."
    Perhaps the Americans and their leaders are not quite so 'tough' as they would like to think. This is not a one off. US personnel were ordered to stay away from Madrid following last years bombings and were highly advised to avoid vacations to Spain entirely.

    While this may seem like somewhat of a token gesture compared to France's unwillingness to comit to the War In Iraq, can this simply be seen as another sign that America is only concerned about terrorism when it presents a direct threat to the security of the United States. Bush's words of support are meaningless if the actions of his administration suggest fear and isolationism rather than bravery and solidarity.

    Is it too soon to start rebranding? Would anyone like a warm slice of Freedom Pie?
    Cowardice is to run from the fear;
    Bravery is not to never feel the fear.
    Bravery is to be terrified as hell;
    But to hold the line anyway.

  2. #2
    Don't worry, I don't exist Member King of Atlantis's Avatar
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    Default Re: America and the war on terror

    maybe the us troops didnt want to make someplace an even bigger target.

  3. #3
    master of the pwniverse Member Fragony's Avatar
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    Default Re: America and the war on terror

    Well since London was high on the blacklist it doesn't really surprise me that they are adviced to stay away. Same with Madrid.

  4. #4
    Humanist Senior Member Franconicus's Avatar
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    Default Re: America and the war on terror

    I heard this news as well. It is a big contrast to the behavior of the Londoners who show that the terror will not be able to change their lifes. So the US responsibles let the British down somehow. On the other hand, if I were respnsible for the soldiers and their families, probably I would do the same.

  5. #5
    Jillian & Allison's Daddy Senior Member Don Corleone's Avatar
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    Default Re: America and the war on terror

    Guys,
    The State Department didn't post any travel advisories to the UK. If anything, travel to London by civilians is being encouraged. The reason our military has been ordered to stay out of London, is fears that seeing Americans in uniform will incite fear or anger in muslims living in London.
    "A man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man."
    Don Vito Corleone: The Godfather, Part 1.

    "Then wait for them and swear to God in heaven that if they spew that bull to you or your family again you will cave there heads in with a sledgehammer"
    Strike for the South

  6. #6
    Clan Clan InsaneApache's Avatar
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    Default Re: America and the war on terror

    Don't think it was because of them wearing uniforms. Typical of the American response though....as has been said....terrorism only really counts when it is directed towards America and it's interests. Yes it is hypocrisy.

    "Our presence in Great Britain is our voice of saying we stand with the British people. We have a long historic relationship and we will stay here to stand by the British people."
    Yeah right, just as long as you don't stand too close.
    There are times I wish they’d just ban everything- baccy and beer, burgers and bangers, and all the rest- once and for all. Instead, they creep forward one apparently tiny step at a time. It’s like being executed with a bacon slicer.

    “Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy.”

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