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AIBU?

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Original poster

to show my support for the Armed Forces

214 replies

CuntPuffin · 23/05/2013 11:52

Following yesterday's atrocious incident, I chose to wear a Help for Heroes shirt today. I have just been told off by a colleague, saying it was insensitive and inappropriate.

Bearing in mind I am ex-force as is my husband, I disagree and am proud to show my support for our Armed Forces. And told him this in fairly clear words.

Have I got this really wrong, or has he?

OP posts:
CrapsWithBears · 23/05/2013 13:39

Exactly Skyler I remember when the story broke about the soldiers pissing on the bodies of insurgents. I posted the story with the generic, 'this is disgusting' title and got a ton of abuse from people on facebook about being 'with them or against them' Hmm

threesypeesy · 23/05/2013 13:40

If you have a problem with those who support the amazing men and women that make up our services then yes, I hope many like yourself op are showing their support to this atrocious act of violence against that poor soldier

noddyholder · 23/05/2013 13:42

I saw someone wearing one today and another oaf wearing a union jack hoody. Idiots

EldritchCleavage · 23/05/2013 13:43

What if a Muslim member of staff had been subject to bullying comments today and wanted to talk to you about it as a member of the diversity forum? Rightly or wrongly, s/he would form an opinion about your opinions about yesterday from the shirt you're wearing

What opinion though, except for a quiet expression of compassion for the dead man? I don't think Muslims or black people are going to be reacting negatively to H4H T-shirts per se.

I don't understand some of the comments about the military on this thread. People often express support for them in a way I wouldn't (sentimental 'Our Boys' stuff) but I don't know why disagreement with the wars they are fighting should translate to lack of support for the people doing the fighting.

We are a democracy in which our armed forces fight the wars they are directed to fight by the government, regardless of how any of them feels about those wars. So it seems entirely rational to me that people recognise them for the incredible risks they run and the suffering of the dead and wounded regardless of whether the wars are considered legitimate or not.

And don't let anyone fool you into equating the military or expressing appreciation for the military with a certain kind of boorish white male EDF tendency. There are increasing numbers of BME Britons and people from Commonwealth nations in the Army in particular. The Army no longer looks quite how the thug faction that fetishises it would like it to look.

halestone · 23/05/2013 13:45

I'm pretty sure i didn't refer to all of our armed forces as being Heroes. I just said that i think we should show them some respect. Maybe by not devaluing their jobs just as i hope no-one would devalue yours. At the end of the day they are doing a job where they are trained to protect and i for one am grateful for each and everyone of them.

MadBusLady · 23/05/2013 13:48

The sentimental stuff is the only bit I find problematic. Mostly because, as this thread demonstrates, it has its ugly side.

Crowler · 23/05/2013 13:48

Nellie, you have to take some accountability for your job. That's just simple.

I agree that kids join the military often out of lack of choice. Another reason I disagree with the military.

Sheesh this continual parroting of "respect the men and women who are defending you!" OK sure, but guess what - they're not defending us at the moment! The military is slowing eating away at our freedoms and safety by the day.

I will proudly salute any man or woman who defends this or any country against foreign aggression. That's heroic.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 23/05/2013 13:49

To be honest, I don't think it's people who have reservations about recent wars who're 'devaluing' soldiers' jobs. I lay that charge at our governments, who've got us into these wars and who have now created the need for a charity to pick up the tab for the wounded.

NeedSomeSun142 · 23/05/2013 13:50

I don't see how wearing a Union Jack hoody Or wearing a t-shirt with a charity logo on makes someone an idiot? It's basically the same as calling someone who wears a burka an idiotic, because the are expressing their culture. Wearing a hoody with a logo of where you are from does not make you an idiot.

Political correctness gone wild again.

Crowler · 23/05/2013 13:52

Surely the cost of looking after wounded soldiers is a cost of going to war. Just buy 2 or 3 fewer missile launchers. Unbelievable that this actually exists.

CelticPixie · 23/05/2013 13:53

I said on here yesterday that I think a lot of people in the UK have become very soppy about the armed forces in this country. Don't get me wrong they do a brilliant job and I personally couldn't do it, but I find his labelling of them all as "heroes" really stomach churning. How are they heroes? They are doing a job that they signed up for.

Crowler · 23/05/2013 13:54

Strictly speaking, the Union Jack is an expression of nationalism while the burqa is an expression of religion. Two different things.

anklebitersmum · 23/05/2013 13:55

FLAG. FLAG. FLAG.

Hmm
threesypeesy · 23/05/2013 13:55

Coments like above must make those servings stomachs turn to know they risk life and limb for the likes on here that have no respect.....shameful! !!

Nelly000 · 23/05/2013 13:56

You have to take some accountability for your job

Well yes, I do. Because I can say no if someone asks me to do something I don't want to do and the worst that will happen is I will get a telling off.

But I guess the point you're trying to make is that soldiers (and sailors and airmen/women) have to take accountability for their job.

You spectacularly miss the point. If they say no, they go to jail. You can't honestly be advocating that almost 400,000 do that... can you?

anklebitersmum · 23/05/2013 13:56

x post threesy? Grin

threesypeesy · 23/05/2013 13:57

Coments like above must make those servings stomachs turn to know they risk life and limb for the likes on here that have no respect.....shameful! !!

Nelly000 · 23/05/2013 13:57

400,000 people

Saltire · 23/05/2013 13:58

Is there 400,000 left in the Armed Forces Hmm.

Nelly000 · 23/05/2013 14:00

Just about, including reservists.

Probably not for much longer though.

NeedSomeSun142 · 23/05/2013 14:00

Which brings another point, as it appears the murderers were Muslim (yes i know extremists), shouting Allahs name while attempting to chop the innocent mans head of, will innocent Muslims feel guilty about wearing their religious clothing?

I doubt it, so why are people being made to feel guilty about wearing a charity hoody, t-shirt,or whatever they happen to pick Out of there wardrobe on this particular day.

AuntieStella · 23/05/2013 14:01

Nope.

According to DASA, in 2012 the required strength was just under 175,000 and actual strength just over 170,000 for all three Services.

Nelly000 · 23/05/2013 14:01

^Just about, including reservists.

Probably not for much longer though.^

387,720 according to that veritable bastion of truth, Wikipedia

ivykaty44 · 23/05/2013 14:02

terrorist by there name want to strike terror into our lives and stop us from going about our daily business as normal.

By wearing a t shirt you have in your wardrobe you are going about your daily business as normal and not letting the terror of what happened yesterday beat you

good

as for your colleague he/she is running scared and letting the terrorist win

AuntieStella · 23/05/2013 14:02

Plus reservists, sorry, another 35,000.