War veterans to switch on Dunfermline's Christmas lights

Published 17 Nov 2011 09:02 34 Comments

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THE Christmas festivities get under way in Dunfermline this Sunday when two special war vets switch on the city's Christmas lights.

Royal Marine Martin Walsh, from 42 Commando, and chief petty officer Drew Kirk, a member of the Royal British Legion Dunfermline, will be doing the honours alongside Santa this year.

The Royal Marine has recently returned from his final tour of Afghanistan and CPO Kirk served in the Royal Navy medical branch, undertaking missions all over the world including the Arctic and Northern Ireland.

The lights will be switched on at 6pm on Sunday but there'll be plenty in the run-up to the event, kicking off with Umbrella Fife's festive fun biscuit-making and bauble-decorating from 12-4pm at the Kingsgate shopping centre.

Magician Mick Magic and Craackleheat Storytellers will hold visitors spellbound over the course of the afternoon before coming together at the Kingsgate for a joint show at 3.30pm.

Mick will be up to his Christmas capers at McDonald's at noon; the City Hotel at 1pm; Grill 48 at 2pm; and Waterstone's at 3pm; while Craackleheat is set to enthrall at the City Hotel at noon; McDonald's at 1pm; Waterstone's at 2pm; and Grill 48 at 3pm.

Keep your ears peeled for singers from the Fife Academy of Performing Arts, who'll be serenading visitors with Christmas carols.

Presenter Donny Hughes and DJ Adele Cunningham will be at the main stage at the Glen Gates with competitions and give-aways between 4-6pm, with Ray Dallas will be doing the same at the children's stage on the High Street.

Characters from Carnegie Hall's Christmas panto, Sergeant Cracker's Christmas Quest, will be at the main stage at 4.15pm, before The Soul Kings - billed as the hottest party band in the UK - get everyone into the groove at 4.30pm.

The Christmas parade, which starts at 5.30pm from the East Port, will be headed by the Royal British Legion, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.

They'll be joined by Santa in his sleigh, characters from Sergeant Cracker's Christmas Quest in a horse-drawn sleigh, 'Robert the Bruce', 'William Wallace' and 'Charles I', and an E-type jaguar from Knockhill.

Also in the parade are mascots Sammy the Tammy, Brewster Bear, kids from Dunfermline Athletic, the Royal Burgh of Inverkeithing pipe band, the Lothian and Borders accordion band, Mick Magic, Craackleheat, and the Fife Academy of Performing Arts.

The day has been organised by Dunfermline Delivers, the city's business improvement district company.

Chief executive Susan Hughes said, "This is without doubt one of Dunfermline's annual highlights.

"It continues to bring big crowds of people into the High Street, determined to start the festive season in style.

"This weekend is also very important for local businesses, not only for the boost it provides on the day of the switch-on, but also in setting the tone for the vital Christmas trading period.

"By running Dunfermline Live and the Christmas Lights switch-on over the same weekend we're helping to ensure that our day-time and night-time economy are both able to take advantage of a bumper weekend."

This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 16 Nov 11

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

bicyclebob
159 posts
Nov 17, 12:10
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Sure some child,would be happy switching on the lights

Recommend? Yes 2 No 17
376 posts
Nov 17, 13:58
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When OAP's are struggling to heat their homes and energy resources are diminshing worldwide christmas lights are a waste of power. Associating the armed forces with christmas perverts the christmas message. It is so sad to see more glorification of war!

Recommend? Yes 6 No 47
Blackadder
257 posts
Nov 17, 16:04
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Sounds like a fantastic event for the people of Dunfermline, young and old, with lots of organisations pulling together to make the whole day enjoyable for everyone.

Well, nearly everyone. But then, Christmas isn't Christmas without the odd humbug is it?

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TheBruce
34 posts
Nov 17, 16:07
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Sounds just the ticket!

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Nov 17, 16:17
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lbbel2011
1 post
Nov 17, 19:16
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how pathetic are yous with your comments. Those brave soldiers have fought for YOUR country, helped thousands of civillians, saved childrens lifes and fought hard to restore peace! I would like to know how many lives you saved or what you have done for YOUR COUNTRY? Either way i say well done to Dunfermline for recognising the real heroes who have done an amazing job out there intead of a second hand celeb who wouldnt even know the word about being a real hero is all about!!!

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******
Nov 17, 19:33
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bicyclebob
159 posts
Nov 17, 19:42
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I abhor chilren being hurt in anyway,and what has, and is happening out there must surely break any normal persons heart

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NotHappyJan
192 posts
Nov 17, 20:36
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The outrageous comments of the few need moderation without delay. The treacherous comments from both bicyclebob and ginafonyo are an insult to those that fight for our freedom every single day. If the two of you abhor living in a democracy please go live in a country where it does not exist and let’s see how long you last.

I think this is a great idea and well done Dunfermline council in recognising the brave deeds these guys do, especially around Christmas time. It may be a sad time for those that have lost family in battle, but it’s also a time for reflection by many that have lost close family. Christmas is a fantastic time, it’s about getting merry, lots of laughs, sharing with friends and family and shedding the occasional tear.

I am looking forward to the day, I will be there with a Santa hat on bells and all!

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bicyclebob
159 posts
Nov 17, 21:16
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nhj,seems like you hate the truth,take it you have never had children,so do not understand how a parent feels.You have a hard neck talking about moderation,how many times have you been put off. I told the truth,plain and simple,do not like do not read.

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376 posts
Nov 17, 22:15
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What about the waste of electricity? The elecricity used for the christmas lights could keep some OAP's warm or run a kidney dialysis machine. Our culture is very wasteful. Wasteful of resources and wasteful of human potential.

Let's hope that this christmas war is over.......if you want it.

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beaker
80 posts
Nov 17, 22:34
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you never know jan you might get a click this christmas.

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bicyclebob
159 posts
Nov 17, 22:49
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beaker,aye dopey

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bicyclebob
159 posts
Nov 17, 23:41
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war it aint nothing but a heartbreaker

war it's got one friend the undertaker

war has shattered many a young mans dream

made him DISABLED BITTER AND MEAN

life is too short and precious to spend fighting wars these days

war can't give life it can only take it away

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Chorthie
39 posts
Nov 18, 07:20
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...and war is a terrible fact of life. No one wants war to happen, but since the dawn of man it does. The conflict in Afghan Bicyclebob is not illegal, Iraq was yes, Afghanistan is a real conflict, and it genuinely helps the people. It would have been over by now if it wasn’t for Pakistan’s influence. The allied forces didn’t know that at the time, Pakistan were supposed to be friends. We as a country owe it to the people of Afghanistan that we will not give up. If you watch documentaries I would advise "secret Pakistan" by the BBC and also Ross Kemps new series on Sky 1. They give you a real insight; Ross asked one elder in one village "what happens when the allied forces leave" the man simply answer that they will be attacked and the government wont last even 24 hours before they are killed. There was a bunch of young kids who want to learn they want to go to school, but the Taliban blew up their school twice, killed and threatened the teachers. These young kids want to learn, want to be free want to be peaceful. They can not do it without our help. War is wrong, people die, millions are spent but you need to look at WHY we are at war there. This isn’t the Iraq war, this is Afghanistan. War eventually saves life’s, at high cost yes, but the young people in Afghanistan may have a future. Girls can maybe learn, schools can be built and Afghanistan can build it’s a beautiful country. Afghanistan has no oil this war is as real as the World Wars themselves.

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bicyclebob
159 posts
Nov 18, 10:36
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chorthie,illegal war,no international or national law or policy legalizes attacks on afghanistan. What price democracy in iraq and afghanistan,bombing innocents into submission,was there concrete proof old bin laden was involved in 9/11.This is pure revenge,young kids died,remember that

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Chorthie
39 posts
Nov 18, 10:59
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Sorry you ae wrong, the War in Afghanistan was sanctioned and agreed on its not just the US and Uk in there, there are many many countries. Bin Ladan and his men were in Afghanistan and are now hiding in Pakistan. Bin Ladan was involved he said so himself. This is not revenge this is trying to cut the plant not just at the Bud but right down to the roots so the weeds do not grow again. Pakistan is a country with Nuclear warheads. They have funded the Taliban and the fight against the Alied forces and the Afghan army and Afghan Police AND the Afghan people. This is ahugley complicated and just war.

Iraq was wrong, start to finish ti was wrong. It had rid the wold of a horrible dictator but was Illegal and wrong. Completly different to the conflict in Afghanistan.

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bicyclebob
159 posts
Nov 18, 11:14
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you do not see it, let me explain.Taliban will never be beaten by military action,oh plus 1998,us wanted new government in afghanistan to allow construction of oil pipeline,oh bushs involvement with the oil industry,read many many testimonials,one that sticks out is when one afghan man said why can they not get people involved,instead of killing our people.OIL.Tried to explain to you,aint gonna waste any more of my time on this illegal and revengeful conflict. OIL

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******
Nov 18, 12:39
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376 posts
Nov 18, 12:46
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What about switching the christmas lights OFF and giving the OAP's free heating this christrmas?

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Blackadder
257 posts
Nov 18, 13:57
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How about cutting back on sky tv and computers and games consoles in prisons and giving OAPs free heating?

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376 posts
Nov 18, 14:41
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JUST "cutting back"? You're too soft.

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supersonic
217 posts
Nov 18, 20:15
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@nothappyjan

What if the soldiers are from rosyth?

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Nov 19, 11:43
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Nov 19, 12:27
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Nov 19, 13:38
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376 posts
Nov 19, 13:42
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There is a war memorial in Staffordshire with the names of 16,000 men and women who have died for the British Establishment, not for "the freedoms we currently have", (whatever they are). It is a record of constant conflict since 1948. The british public is never reminded of the millions of deaths of foreign people in THEIR OWN countries these conflicts have caused. The british public is fed the story that these conflicts are based on promoting democracy, spreading development and promoting human rights when in reality they are about the control of oil and creating an international economy that works in the interests of British corporations. There is room for another 15,000 names on the Staffordshire War Memorial. It would be reasonable to assume that for every British soldier killed in these imperial adventures a thousand foreign people will be killed. That would mean the British Establishment is planning the murder of 15,000,000 innocent foreign people. That to me is unacceptable and needs to be condemned.

The British Army began it's life as a landowners militia and it still has the interests of the ruling class as it's drive. It was initially composed of the sons of Highlanders during The Highland Clearances. The terrorised children of terrorised parents were recruited to terrorise the British Empire. The 78th. Highland Regiment was paid off in Madras and told to make their own way home. The British State has often used the military to attack british citizens who seek justice and equality. It is difficult to feel proud of institutions that behave in that way.

LEST WE FORGET.

ALL the deaths that war causes. Psychiatrists will tell you that a country needs 75 years of peace to recover from the traumas of war. We have not had 75 MINUTES of peace. This country has been on a constant war footing since 1066. How long are we going to continue terrorising our children with tales of fuzzy-wuzzies, nazis, huns, nips, terrorists, rebels, insurgents, taliban, communists, muslims, Irish people, suicide bombers and foreigners in general because they stand in the way of the grasping mechanisms of a state that abhors the truth? Instead of grieving over the corpses of our soldiers and demanding blood in return we need to learn to understand why we became involved in all these conflicts and to atone for the damage our government and it's military arm have done in our name.

An effective deterrent for terrorism would be for the Britsh State and it's allies to stop terrorising the world. We are, after all, bigger than they and should know better.

Your patriotism is blind I'm afraid and is a very dangerous thing. The agonies you put yourself through will only be projected onto innocent victims until you stop torturing yourself. The enemies of the British State are enemies of it's own making, they are reacting against the British State's aggressive behaviour. Our nation is the persecutor not the persecuted, the oppressor not the oppressed. We need to address the sins of the fathers not glorify them and commercialise them.

The most dangerous thing to be during a war is a pacifist because to a person at war the word peace translates as surrender and death. It is a dilemma of your own making and you need to find a solution.

Happy Christmas. War is over. If you want it.

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******
Nov 19, 20:17
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376 posts
Nov 20, 03:16
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Try to understand that most decent people in the world think that what the military does is not heroic but that it is horrific. The military should be protecting the poor people of this country from the predations of big business and rotten politics. They should not be behaving aggressively in other people's countries on behalf of big business and rotten politics. If you have to use intimidation and lies to get people to wave a flag for you that should tell you that you're doing something wrong. I have been trying to get a straight answer to the same questions I'm asking on these forums from my MP. They sent the police to my door to tell me I'd be arrested if I didn't stop writing letters asking difficult questions. Is that the freedom our heroes died for? The freedom to be ignored and lied to? My uncles fought in WW1 and got a slap in the face from HMG after it. My father fought in WW2 and got a slap in the face from HMG after it. Thank you Mrs. Thatcher! Thank you Norman Tebbit! God Bless the Duke of Wellington and God Save the Queen!

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******
Nov 20, 12:55
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Nov 20, 13:03
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Blackadder
257 posts
Nov 20, 16:27
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Turn the lights off and shut the door on the way out, there's a good chap.

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TheBruce
34 posts
Nov 20, 17:32
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TAXI!!!

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BobTheBuilder
111 posts
Nov 20, 19:29
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A bit of a damp squib, the switch on. Timekeeping very poor. According to the article, the parade would start at 5.30pm - no, by 5.30pm the parade was well underway and Santa had been and gone. 6pm light switch on? No, again it was early. I was walking back to the car listening to the abbey's bells chime 6pm - the lights had been switch on 10 minutes prior; so quickly in fact that the soldiers invited along were really left standing like tailor's dummies. Do you not get to push a button or flick a switch these days? Disappointing, especially for the young ones.

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376 posts
Nov 20, 20:11
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Oh dear! It seems Maggie, Norman, The Duke and Her Majesty got a bit upset. I'm ever so sorry. Who'd have thought the British Government treated ex-servicemen with contempt? From the 78th. Highland Regiment left stranded in Madras, to The Battle of Waterloo, to The Somme, to D-Day, to Korea, to Suez, to The Falkland Islands, to Gulf War Syndrome HMG has treated her troops like lords!

Smart little comments and funny cracks do not constitute an argument for warfare. Blackadder and TheBruce are still left wanting!

Clicking the Yes/No option is the same as grunting. Meaningless! It is not an argument it shows an inability to engage.

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TheBruce
34 posts
Nov 20, 20:20
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lol yer dummy's well n truely in the mud eh? whatever gets you through the day i suppose

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376 posts
Nov 21, 00:21
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Yeah, nice one! Thanks for being so understanding.

Have a peaceful christmas.

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******
Nov 21, 10:59
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Nov 21, 11:57
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beaker
80 posts
Nov 21, 19:36
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and here was i moderated for liking custard on my rhubarb, gets you thinking.

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******
Nov 22, 11:27
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376 posts
Nov 22, 11:46
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The revolution is continuous!

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Nov 22, 11:58
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376 posts
Nov 22, 14:24
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MERRY XMAS

Iraqi civilians win legal bid for torture inquiry

BBC News - ‎2 hours ago‎

Over 100 Iraqi civilians have won a UK Court of Appeal battle in their bid for a new public inquiry into allegations of torture against British soldiers.

THIS KIND OF STUFF HAS TO STOP. IT DAMAGES THE REPUTATION OF PEACE LOVING BRITISH CITIZENS. GET THE TROOPS HOME. DISARM THEM. HEAL THEM. GIVE THEM PROPER JOBS REBUILDING THIS COUNTRY.

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Nov 23, 11:05
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ROBROY
35 posts
Nov 24, 15:39
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Patricia Lamumba, How out of touch and wrong you are. The armed forces in 2 world wars and many more in-between, ensured that we, especially our youngsters, can enjoy Christmas until the end of time. In times of hardship, we need such ceremonies to uplift our souls, and had you been present, and heard the overwhelming welcome given to us who marched down the High Street, it was indeed uplifting. The thousands of youngsters who would see the Air Cadets and the pipe and accordion bands may well be motivated to get involved themselves - EXACTLY WHAT IS REQUIRED!!!

In recognition of the 90th anniversary of The Royal British Legion, we were given the honour and privilege on Sunday, of heading up the parade, prior to the switching on of Dunfermline's Christmas lights. It was encouraging, to be accompanied by the young lads and lassies of the Air Force cadets. The Royal British Legion bikers were also present, as they were on Remembrance Day, with 27 wonderful machines. The participants, as always, were rewarded in the RBL New Row, with a wonderful spread of food and hot soup.

Those responsible for the organisation of the ceremony are to be congratulated. The enthusiasm of the very large crowds, especially the youngsters, at the various events that were present, will be well remembered. Many thanks to the 'weather controller' who, yet again, provided favourable conditions.

Bill Robb, A very proud Legionnaire

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Nov 24, 19:19
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TheBruce
34 posts
Nov 25, 00:23
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Again, erm nop, i see no name calling or insults in my above post.

Would welcome any direct quotation from the above text to the contrary.

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Nov 25, 09:46
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376 posts
Dec 2, 15:30
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When you say "our" youngsters ROBROY whose youngsters are you talking about? Could you also define what you mean by "the end of time"?

Every war that has ever been fought has been in the interests of the elite, i.e. the monarchy, the aristocracy, the banks and the big corporations, especially the arms, oil and gas corporations. WW1 was a squabble between the crowned heads of Europe where their subjects were used as cannon fodder. The anguish that this senseless waste of life caused was hijacked by the various states involved in WW1 and manipulated into something called "national pride". This "national pride" in league with international bankers is what led to WW2.

It is so sad that our inherent masochism can be hijacked by the rapacious organs of state seeking plunder and power. Bereavement makes people irrational and their grief needs to be addressed sensibly and not glorified, especially when it is for a lie. What you appear to be saying is that if our military had historically not destabilised the world we would not be able to have a disposable income to squander in places like the Kingsgate, or on holidays abroad where our "military might" ensures our currency is top dog. If you are happy with that scenario you will make a lot of enemies ROBROY, enemies who will have a higher moral argument than you. Military personel perform better when they have right on their side, when they are morally justified. Any reading of history will show that all of Britain's imperial adventures have been solely for the benefit of a minority at the top of society. We have to stop sending our children off to war for these people. When God asked Abraham to kill his son he was only kidding, he was making us aware of how easily we can be fooled into sacrificing our children for a fallacy and that we need to consider ALL human life as sacred.

It is extremely upsetting that you relish the thought of children being encouraged to enlist and go off to either get killed or to kill some strangers for the benefit of the Stock Market. Scotland has suffered disproportionately when it comes to warfare and exploitation. An air of sadness has hung over Scotland from Culloden and The Clearances to The Cold War and George Bush's War on Terror. We have to address that sadness, understand where it came from and to not turn that sadness into a hatred for our fellow man, a hatred that can be then manipulated by the state to start a war!

I think you would get a bigger cheer walking down the High Street if you took off your uniforms, threw away your weapons, stopped browbeating people into being sorry for you and warping the concept of patriotism. My previous post was about British troops torturing Iraqi civilans. It is something we as a nation should be very concerned about. It is not a case for "national pride"; we should be ashamed that these things are being done in our name. Enjoying "Christmas until the end of time" pales into insignificance if it is dependent on such behaviour.

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