Smaller armed forces?

[mintogrubb.livejournal.com]

In the UK at present, we have the smallest army we have had since the Boer War of Queen Victoria's time.

Is this a good thing or bad thing?
Will a smaller army, navy and air force stop our politicians from meddling in unnecessary wars in far off places? Will it lead to a focus on home defence instead of adventuring imperialism?

Or will a smaller Military Establishment mean that we are ill prepared to repel a foreign invasion ?
I mean, who is ~capable~ of invading Britain right now, even if they wanted to? Should be be paranoid about 'what if', or go for a realistic assessment of the actual threat level?

Comments

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

They could die off faster if you help them to. Wink wink.

--distant guns approaching--

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

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[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

Epic.

[blue-mangos.livejournal.com]

This seems rather harsh. I hope I'm reading this wrong.

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

(Not so) old inside joke, for the lack of a better term.

[blue-mangos.livejournal.com]

No, I knew the comment you were referring to, it just seems a little, I don't know, off, in light of other comments here. Maybe I did read it wrong, and I hope what I took out of it was not what you were saying. If you look at it within the context of the rest of the thread it seems as if you are encouraging what would be a dangerous situation.

[blue-mangos.livejournal.com]

Also (and I'm sorry to keep harping on this but given what this led to I'm a bit upset) even if you, and others, do not agree with the original sentiment expressed with that comment, is it really necessary for you, and others, to keep bringing it up in a mocking way? I think this is the third time I've seen it done (in total, not just by you) and the comment was only made a few days ago. Or is it only wrong to 'joke' when others do it?

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

You're right, it's a slippery slope to try to define for others which "joke" is appropriate and which isn't, and moreover most people find it easy to joke at others' expense but when it's done on them they cringe and start crying. Those are the risks of "shit-talking", which were demonstrated here. But eventually all is well when it ends well. After all, you know very well that people who are mature enough and talk on roughly the same wave-length, will eventually smooth their differences, whatever they may be.

[blue-mangos.livejournal.com]

You may be right about running the risk, but surely that could have been handled solely by the person who felt they were shit-talked to? Especially given they started the thread off themselves by doing some mocking. Also, I guess I just expect better from some people than others.

And given the decision made today, which I hope is reversible, the opportunity to smooth differences over has been removed for now. And that is a shame.

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

What decision? I don't understand. Things are as they were before.

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

On a second reading, I think I understand now. Thanks for the tip. Will act on it.

[blue-mangos.livejournal.com]

See, I was right in expecting better things from you, because I usually get them :)

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

You have such influence on people!

[blue-mangos.livejournal.com]

Not at all, I just have faith in the goodness of people. I am pleased at what I see going on right now elsewhere though, which I suspect you may have had a thing or two to do with ;)

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

@ faith in the goodness of people --> OMG I have the feeling I'm talking to my brother! What have you done to him? Is he in your belly? Release him now!

[blue-mangos.livejournal.com]

heh, your brother has even more faith in people than I have. I simply hope for the best, he expects it.

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for mocking, it wasn't nice of me. On a side note, I don't mind being shit-talked to. Everyone has a head on their shoulders and can make their own conclusions of what they see/hear/read. I've done mine and I'm OK with the whole thing.

[blue-mangos.livejournal.com]

It was more the cumulative effect that got me upset, and although I don't want to speak for panookah, I suspect it's the same there. But I will certainly pass on your comment, including the apology, to him. I'm not blaming any one person here, I just think the whole thing could have been handled better by ALL involved.

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

You're a wonderful mediator.

[blue-mangos.livejournal.com]

*blushes*

[atasharuku.livejournal.com]

which I hope is reversible

Me too. =(