[the scotsman]

Fair reply,Vet...

Firstly,Scotland is part of Britain(by choice in 1707 unlike the Irish and Welsh).Therefore we can call ourselves Scots,Scottish and British,some call themselves British and dont regard themselves as Scots.

Secondly,when referring to the North,I was/am referring to the British sent to relieve the US troops around the Sunni Traingle,not the far north.Apologies.

I just felt/feel that you underestimated/are underestimating our very valuable contribution in Iraq and Afghanistan,and 'tea' remarks are just frankly insulting...

I disagree in parts with Brig Foster,however READ the article please.It is NOT the anti-american rant that the American Right has stated it is.And where was the ire over the Stars+Stripes when they felt the need to insult the Royal Marines?.Where were the posts here or at RightNation saying that in wartime that was 'out of order','not needed','bad for morale' etc?.

http://www.operations.mod.uk/afghanistan/summary.htm
http://www.operations.mod.uk/afghanistan/forces.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4646646.stm

http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/bkgrnd.htm
http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/summary.htm
http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/forces.htm

[NavVet]

I haven't seen the Stars and Stripes article that you mention, so I can't comment specifically on that. The Stars and Stripes is an independent newspaper, not directly affiliated with the military, and its circulation is actually quite small compaired to what it was in WWII. You can't even find a copy on most U.S. bases.

Still, if I had seen any such article linked on Free Republic (I've never been to Right Nation)which slandered the Royal Marines, I assure you my defense of them would be as spirited as has been my defense of the U.S. Army in this case. If you have a link, I would be glad to take a look at it and respond.

And fair enough, I will read the entire article which quotes the British General, but if he said even one of the things attributed to him, I probably won't change my opinion that he is underserving of a comission in even the French Army.

[NavVet]

Okay, I read the entire article and while it is an insult wrapped up in praise, it is still an insult.

It is easy to sit back in an area which has truly been liberated with a generally supportive population and point fingers at the Americans who are tasked with controlling that segment of the population that has had its place of privilege pulled out from under it. In the areas the American's control that are as peaceful as Basra, they hand out candy and build schools all day. Operations in terrorist strongholds call for a different approach. I would wager this British Officer would be singing a different tune if he had to deal with multiple suicide attacks, IED's and snipers every day.