Bank Holidays - TUC - n.b.

[pessimist]

Harry, wot Harry? Would that be the thing now referred to by the BBC as "the little ginger freak"

<hr width=100% size=1>A pessimist is an optimist in full possession of the facts

 

[ShipsWoofy]

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

"everyone wants defence" ? I don't think so. Perhaps our taxes could be used for something more useful than the Navy prancing around, Harry enhancing the Army with his polo skills or the new and unused submarines which have just been sold off to Canada.

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And don't forget the Royal Navy picking you up when you run into to trouble too far for the RNLIAA to come and get you. Or the RAF helicopter that rushes you to hospital when you collapse on board.

Then if there is any threat of terrorism you will expect the security of armed guards trying to make the streets a safer place (I said trying). Or in the event of a national disaster you should find comfort in the army working with normal people trying to put flooded villages back together. What a waste.

And that is before our sovereignty comes in to question, if you never believe this is a threat I suggest you read some history, year dot to present day should suffice. Before you jump in, I am not a supporter of the current atrocities in the Middle East, but also understand that we have to be there, it is part of an allegiance we promised to the USA. Though I believe we should have been the country to stop it rather than the country that found reasons to start it.

Rant over....

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Woof</A>

 

[AlexL]

lets also not forget that the Army actually educates and gets qualifications for alot of young people who, for one reason or another, have failed to achieve said qualifications in the education system.

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[Joe_Cole]

You may well be right, but I'm not sure that your point adds anything to the discussion which is mainly about public versus private sector.
To highlight the Army's work in training people who have not gained qualification in the Education system simply highlights the failings of the Education system (also Public sector). Don't forget that a lot of training also takes place in the Private sector.

Joe

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[mikewilkes]

Are you saying that now the education system - stretched as it appears to be already - should now teach the kids to shoot guns to kill people???
As it happens we do have one in the Army who did very well at school.


<hr width=100% size=1>Mike

 

[Spuddy]

can I join in? I've spent time in farming, construction and now teaching. When I was self employed there were all sorts of tax deductables to claim - as my wife does now in her freelance career- a perk of the industry?
The early retirement path is mostly an urban myth now surely. I believe it was the met police who used to be able to exploit this - doesn't apply in teaching.
The pension amounts vary widely; depends whther there's a 40, 60 or 80 basis for the final salary scheme. The teachers scheme might keep me in genteel poverty if I,m lucky. Wasn't so long ago that those in the private sector did much better- before Equitable life and all the other stock market based fiascos.
As an aside - today I spent £40 of my own money on resources to run the courses I teach until Xmas. After that the very ordinary school I work at might have a bit of cash to buy some more. This is quite commonplace but I've never come across anything like it in any other industry.
Hey ho.. we all kmake a precarious living based on taking in each others washing anyway.
'course...I.m the only one who does any real work...spuddy

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[AlexL]

nope, I'm saying that the army has other functions than just "the Army". Some kids get a second stab (?) at education in the army. And obviously I didn't mean that everyone in the army has no qualifications!

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[Shakey]

"Perhaps our taxes could be used for something more useful than the Navy prancing around"

I assume you're on a deliberate wind up here.

There are NO jobs in Britain except the Armed Forces where being killed or injured is taken as one of the risks of the job and not a regrettable accident or similar.

Matelots and Squaddies get paid less than the Fire Brigade or the Police or NHS workers generally speaking. On top of that they and their loved ones have to endure the pain of seperation. Most of them don't serve long enough to get the full pension either.

The Fire Brigade put life first, including that of their own. The police will always try to back off to get a peaceful solution wherever possible. To give them their due they do get bashed sometimes.

And when the Fire Brigade go on strike for more money and better working conditions, who has to do their jobs for them? The Matelots and Squaddies who are already on less pay with poorer working conditions.

Civvies. I've shat 'em.

<hr width=100% size=1>It could have been worse - it could have been me.