Is our government incapable of keeping their nose out?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Fat Controller, Aug 26, 2013.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    BBC News article

    Reading the above this morning, it seems that William Hague and Mr Cameron are leaning in the direction of going to war with Syria. Now, while I understand and agree (to quote the article) that in this day and age no country should be able to use chemical weapons with impunity - but why is it that it is always the US that wade in first, dragging the UK along with it?

    Why is this our fight? If this behaviour is condemned by the international community, then surely we should either let others go in first and then be in a supporting role, or be part of a wholly combined effort? I mean, its not as though we have the money to burn in munitions etc?
     
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    • Ellen

      Ellen Total Gardener

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      I agree. We do seem to be the US's yapping dogs at times :( it should be a UN effort, not just America, us and France. We did the same with Libya
       
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      • Jenny namaste

        Jenny namaste Total Gardener

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        Why indeed FC? In my view, it's an Arab problem, not ours and they should trying to solve it. Some Arab kingdoms are excessively wealthy eg Saudia Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Dubai. It seems to me that they have a selfish attitude towards the conflict in that, if they keep out, it may not spill over into their territories. Chemical Warfare fills me with dread as it is so difficult to monitor and control.
        We should not be taking a lead role in this matter. We are recovering from a recession.
        Jenny
         
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          In this case, it appears to me, Cameron is trying to push the US.
          I dont think Obama wants to get involved.

          Lets face it, what can we do alone anyway.
          We only have a couples of Typhoons and half a dozen, out of date pieces of military hardware.
          Cant even put on an airshow these days, let alone start a war.
           
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          • Allan Hodgson

            Allan Hodgson Gardener

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            I think instead of what usually happens and we go in and cause more problems. for once we should step aside and see what happens when we keep out of it. The only reason we have problems with terrorists trying to attack our country is because we keep making it our duty to get involved all the time. in my opinion it is time to step aside permanently and not get involved in these wars any more.
             
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            • **Yvonne**

              **Yvonne** Total Gardener

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              These latest news events fill me with despair. I'm not even 100% convinced that the regime carried this out, knowing the UN inspectors were only 15 minutes away, especially when you factor in the rebel forces have a strong Al Queda contingency and as we know at our own cost, they stop at nothing for their cause. The only thing which goes against the regime is the lack of cooperation with the UN. Who knows :scratch:

              I imagine decent thinking, moderate Muslims must be mortified at what is happening in a number of countries in the middle east right now. Unless this sector of society, worldwide step up to address this, I don't see what we can do to stop the insanity :mad:
               
            • Allan Hodgson

              Allan Hodgson Gardener

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              to be honest I thought the same about Libya yvonne
               
            • **Yvonne**

              **Yvonne** Total Gardener

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              • Jenny namaste

                Jenny namaste Total Gardener

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                A very good reason to keep our noses out of Syria Yvonne,
                jenny
                 
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                • Scrungee

                  Scrungee Well known for it

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                  Due to the stance of Russia & China it's up to the Arab Nations to get their own house in order regarding Syria.
                   
                • Freddy

                  Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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                  An analogy.

                  There's some innocent bystander being set on by some thug, and it's apparent that this person is going to die. There's lots of us standing round, watching. This innocent bystander has friends amongst us, but they just stand there and watch. This person means nothing to us, and anyway, if we were to intervene, the rest of the crowd would condemn us because they actually think it's ok for this individual to meet his end. Should we turn a blind eye?

                  Obviously a simplistic view, but it's this that is causing the dilemma. Should we keep our noses out? Probably, yes. But can we when everyone else is stood round watching?

                  Don't get me wrong, I've had my fill of our involvement in other countries problems and it should be the UN that takes a stand, but they're useless, because the 'thug' has friends there.
                   
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                  • Fat Controller

                    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                    I think its right that the 'thug' isn't allowed to get away with it, but why is it always us that ends up picking up the tab for it? In the grand scheme of things, the UK is a totty wee country, so why are we one of the first to roll the sleeves up and bail in whilst costing us a fortune?
                     
                  • Freddy

                    Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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                    Hiya F/C.

                    Quite right, but would you stand there doing nothing if someone in your street was getting a pasting when everyone else just stood there watching?
                    Of course, it's none of our business, and therein lies the dilemma...
                     
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                    • Fat Controller

                      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                      Hiya Freddy :)

                      I almost certainly wouldn't stand there doing nothing, but then again that wouldn't necessarily make my actions right though? And what is the difference between this and the atrocities that have taken place under the watchful eye of Mr Robert Mugabe? He has (literally) been getting away with murder for years!

                      Instead of it always falling to the same few countries, and instead of countries paying into a fund to bank roll and bail out banks and greed-mongers, maybe all countries should pay into a fund that is then used to fund military interventions but only when a majority of the countries paying into the fund agrees?
                       
                    • Freddy

                      Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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                      Aye up F/C.

                      Could it be wrong to help an innocent/fellow human being?

                      None.

                      A bit like the UN you mean?

                      I think there are any number of conflicts that have taken place under the watchful eye of the International community, and they have stood by and done nothing. Rwanda springs to mind, shameful.
                      I suppose governments around the world are only interested when it suits them, but should we think like that?
                      It's difficult...
                       
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