This Pen Farthing guy

[TheGenealogist]

The bloke with the animal shelter in Kabul.

Refusing to leave unless he can take ALL of his 60 odd staff and ALL of his 200+ cats and dogs with him. Expecting the government to make special rules for him and his friends.

Getting people out - understandable. The Taliban aren't going to look kindly on people who have translated for the military, or "collaborated" in other ways. But staff at an animal shelter?

And as for the refusing to leave without the animals and making this all out to be the UK government's fault? For not falling over themselves to arrange transport for a bunch of ownerless animals nobody wants when there are human beings in fear of their lives?

What is this guy playing at?

Haven't RTWT but have read all the OP's posts. I gather they've left the thread (but may still be taking a peek?) and I admire that they've stood by their opinions on this despite the pro-doggy camp. I value people's lives over animals' every time but if he is evacuating all his staff (and families) and offering up spare seats to British passport holders, then I can't see the harm in stuffing the hold full of animals. What does surprise me is how invested some posters on here have become over the fate of these rescue dogs and cats when the situation for children and women is so terrifying. Personally, I haven't any emotions over to care what happens to the animals.

Reading this:
news.sky.com/story/exclusive-defence-secretary-ben-wallace-says-british-evacuation-efforts-in-kabul-have-been-diverted-by-bid-to-rescue-animals-cared-for-by-ex-royal-marine-pen-farthing-12390679

It sounds like this charter plane being talked about may not exist, and there's consternation at the distraction of resources to this 'cause' and away from rescuing people in grave danger.

I think Mr Farthing might well come out of this being vilified rather than held aloft as a hero.

@SofiaMichelle

Reading this: news.sky.com/story/exclusive-defence-secretary-ben-wallace-says-british-evacuation-efforts-in-kabul-have-been-diverted-by-bid-to-rescue-animals-cared-for-by-ex-royal-marine-pen-farthing-12390679

It sounds like this charter plane being talked about may not exist, and there's consternation at the distraction of resources to this 'cause' and away from rescuing people in grave danger.

I think Mr Farthing might well come out of this being vilified rather than held aloft as a hero.

Of course the plane hasn't arrived yet - they only received clearance yesterday and are still stranded in Kabul City.

The "resources" spoken of, are armed soldiers who will need to go out into the city and escort the group into the airport, whether the group had animals or not.

Ben Wallace is a terrible loser.

@PicsInRed what that article says is that Ben Wallace (correctly or incorrectly) says he was told that they hadn’t actually hired the plane yet, not that it’s not there yet.
I don’t disagree with your last sentence though!

@Furries
@NiceGerbil
Without expressing an opinion either way, I believe the point over which you are having a contre ton may have become a little academic. There are unlikely to be any civilian planes operating now, other than from Pakistan. The Globemasters and C130s evacuating people are military planes and do not have separate cabins and cargo holds. A look at some of the recent press pictures will demonstrate that.

The fact the U.K. has a fixed number of aircraft running those operations, designed around a known number of evacuees, means that resource will have been diverted. That is probably what the minister is referring to.

He has tweeted that they are stuck at airport circle

twitter.com/penfarthing/status/1430762647453110272?s=21

You are being naïve if you think the Taliban wouldn't kill his staff and the animals are going in the hold of a plane that otherwise wouldn't be there if he hadn't arranged one.

So an extra 100 seats for afghans who would be forced to stay in Kabul were it not for his efforts.

win win!

You say he's selfish for putting animal lives before human ones. It's been explained.to you why this is not the case and you still maintain he's selfish The world would be a whole lot better with more "selfish" people in it like him I think. As pp stated extra humans will get out on this flight but you are deliberately ignoring that fact

You've got an opinion and you're not going to change your mind so not sure why you asked AIBU

@Handsoffstrikesagain

We need to forget about putting people in the hold. They could not be secured properly and the weight shift means the flight could be very dangerous for everyone on board. Babies and children will not be put in dog crates. It isn’t going to happen.

(Wakes up to weight shift….groan).

Without knowing your C of G to start with you have no idea wether a shift of some weight aft would put the C of G aft of the aft limit…and if you’ve spent time in holds you’ll see there are often lashing/anchoring points…

Anyway that’s probably moot. Only flights in/out are military transports and as Audit and others have pointed out those does have underfloor holds.

Still lots of ? Outside this forum about where this chartered aircraft is..what deal has he arranged?

Could be wrong but don’t think there is anyway now any forces (Brit or otherwise are going to heading outside the perimeter on foot/in vehicles).

There’s a pick up in mil flights today..those that want to get out need to move PDQ.

@Handsoffstrikesagain

He wants the Taliban to allow him safe passage. He most likely now need a military escort to inside the processing area. This could become really dangerous very quickly.

He probably will need an armed escort, unless pragmatism forces the hand of the Talib leader.

The CIA are apparently now conducting extractions of American citizens still trapped in Kabul City.

It was reported last night that multiple military sources have said they had been told the end was now in 72 hours, not 31st Aug.

That was yesterday, so only approximately only 2 days left from now to get as many out as they can.

I understand the last US military transport flights are today. Any isolated US citizens left within Kabul may then be only be extracted by specialists if deemed possible. From tomorrow there is a gradual final extraction of military only, with those isolated civilians. Planes leaving now need to be military with capacity to deploy anti-missile capabilities.

James Heapy has been on BBC news saying there is intelligence that of an imminent ISIS attack and warning people to keep away from areas outside the airport. He's saying that he cannot be more specific but if you're not in the hotel being processed or in the airport keep away.

He probably will need an armed escort, unless pragmatism forces the hand of the Talib leader.

That or money, lots and lots of it.

I really hope his acolytes aren’t suggesting group Ben Wallace should order a snatch squad be sent out to retrieve this group.

One of the vets coordinating from the U.K. has just posted this on Twitter.

URGENT URGENT Pen at South Gate surrounded by Taliban. can't get through as Airport not opening from USA/UK side. Taliban will let him pass, US and UK leaving him exposed and stranded @ForcesHQ @benwallacemp act now or cause all their deaths

Wonder what the full story is…and whatever that is Ben Wallace must not put one serviceman or woman’s life on the line to “act now”.

People aren't being let into the airport because of the terror threat.
If they were to be allowed in it's unlikely a civilian plane without any anti missile defence would be allowed to take off.

@countrygirl99

For those doubting that parents wouldbe prepared to travel/put their kids in the hold. Every day people pay to be smuggled in the backs if lorries, put to sea in tiny, unseaworthy boats to try and get to the Canary Islands etc. Give it a few weeks and we will hear of people escaping Afghanistan on far more uncomfortable and dangerous ways.

People were holding on to the ouside of planes and fell to their deaths so yes I imagine people would go in the hold if given half a chance.

I love animals, I have pets of my own and I’ve volunteered in animal rescue for over 20 years. I also admire Pen’s dedication to his cause.

But honestly, pragmatically, when the situation worsened so quickly and so badly, in Nowzad’s position I would have considered euthanising all the animals who were left and concentrating on getting the people out. There are far worse fates for a dog or cat than being put to sleep calmly and quietly in familiar surroundings by someone they know and trust. Even if they get through they risk an uncomfortable, unpleasant death on the plane, months of quarantine then a life in rescue for many of them and if they don’t get through as is looking increasingly likely, they’ll face whatever cruelties the Taliban want to inflict on them: mutilation, target practice, dog fights.

If it’s true they’re now at the airport then I hope they all get to the UK safely (people and pets) but I think they made the wrong call on this, even though I can understand why.

James Heappey says they will not allow him and his pets to jump the queue of desperate, vulnerable people.

Quite rightly.

He's just tweeted asking the Taliban to let him through. This isn't going to end well is it?!

Money may talk.

@DancesWithTortoises

James Heappey says they will not allow him and his pets to jump the queue of desperate, vulnerable people.

Quite rightly.

I hope they have the courage to stand up to the pressure and make sure that people get out in order or priority. I hate the "who screams the loudest" gets to the front of the queue.