General consternation

The new chief of the Army staff has caused some consternation in the political world by suggesting that we need to withdraw from Iraq as soon as possible - which has widely been interpreted as denouncing government policy. General Sir Richard Dannatt is quoted as saying that he thought UK troops "exacerbated" security problems and should withdraw "sometime soon".

Tony Blair has cleverly moved to reduce the tension by stating that he agreed with everything that the general said. I don't find this completely convincing, but to be fair, Sir Richard did not say that we should pull out tomorrow and I thought his comments were within the range of opinions which a mature democracy ought to be able to tolerate from the head of a public service without the roof falling in.

The most interesting thing is that serving soldiers and military personnel, especially those who actually have experience of Iraq, appear to have been flooding internet comment pages with statements of support for Sir Richard.

We need to create as soon as possible the situation where the elected government of Iraq can manage their own security without the need for us to be there. I'm not saying this can be done overnight, but I think Sir Richard is right that it is in both our own interests and those of the people of Iraq to get there as soon as possible.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Chris , without meaning to I have just read through most of your blog and , earlier teasing notwithstanding, I have to compliment you .This really is the best and most clearly considered blog in the blogasphere .Tremendously well thought and expressed at all times.
The trick now may be to carry you learning a little more lightly but personally I feel there are already far to many media friendly cyphers infesting political life.
Nonetheless my only suggestion would be that the style is somewhat ex cathedra at times which may not be helpful to you.

Just a thought.
The overriding impression is immensely impressive and I would dearly like to see this sort of approach returned to the heart of national debate.

I will look in often .

PS One exception , your religious views lack the sort of confidently learned frame-work which is otherwise so evident. It is not enough to show the non existence of god is unprovable . You have to show an attractiveness of the philosphical position at least otherwise ... so what ?
No doubt you have plenty more ammunition in the arsenal
11:31 pm
Chris Whiteside said…
Dear Newmania - thanks for your very kind comments. I will try to pontificate a bit less !
9:34 pm
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