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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

This Pen Farthing guy

999 replies

TheGenealogist · 25/08/2021 10:54

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. Hmm 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?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
CuriousaboutSamphire · 25/08/2021 13:05

@Peacrock

Kind of reminds me of mumsnet lately!
This, mostly.
Peacrock · 25/08/2021 13:05

Fucking women, reading newspapers and having opinions and shit.

Not just any opinions, expert opinions based on the select things they've read that are obviously 100% right (let's not bother taking reality or other elements into consideration).

Claypotkitchentable · 25/08/2021 13:06

You’re slating a man for having loyalty and compassion.

GiantTCRsl79 · 25/08/2021 13:06

Biden announced troop withdrawal in April but it was known about since Fb 2020, when Trump did his deal with the Taliban.

Rather than do the Governments bidding and attempt to blame anyone but themselves, maybe a liitle more questioning as to why its all being done in the few hours and days before the withdrawal deadline?

3cats4poniesandababy · 25/08/2021 13:07

I haven't read all the messages but

A private US business man has said he will fund the plane.

The public has raised/donated enough money to cover the animal costs and support the Nowzad workers when they land until they get the right to work.

Pen has stated his has a plan to get into the airport that doesn't involve the British military helping.

He says he has got a plan to get the animals loaded within 60 mins. Planes were known to be sat on the tarmac for several hours waiting to be filled with enough passengers earlier in the week and the taking off half empty. Pen was ready days ago just waiting to be told he had a landing time.

Pen wanted to aim to get into the airport 24 hours before his plane. Obviously that was a few days ago. If he had been given thr go ahead then he wouldn't have been jumping the queue at the airport processing.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 25/08/2021 13:07

No his real name is Paul, he changed it for effect.

Nuff said.

More likely an army nickname but don't let that get in the way of your hatred of him will you?

MakemeaCake · 25/08/2021 13:08

There are 2 runways, the military and a civilian one.

They each use the same airspace.

A chartered civilian plane may be able to take off, it may not.

This guy has charted a civilian plane. But he still needs to get to the airport through the Taliban and get on the plane and the plane needs a slot to take off.

It's not so simple as 'Hey, I've bought a plane flight, get me out now.'

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 25/08/2021 13:09

@TheGenealogist

Would make an amazing film

I'm sure he has an agent already on the case. With someone earnest and worthy like Eddie Redmayne lined up to play brave, selfless Pen, the hero.

What did you want out of this goady thread, OP? Everyone to rant and rave on about 'putting animals above humans'? You're really showing yourself up to be ignorant and attention-seeking.
MakemeaCake · 25/08/2021 13:10

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

No his real name is Paul, he changed it for effect.

Nuff said.

More likely an army nickname but don't let that get in the way of your hatred of him will you?

Don't you worry your head over it, I won;t.

But for the record, my feelings don't run as high as hate.

People can have opinions that are not yours, without hating the person being discussed.

dworky · 25/08/2021 13:10

Animals go in the hold, not where the people will sit so you are being very unreasonable.

Original poster
TheGenealogist · 25/08/2021 13:11

What do you have to "want" anything out of a thread? It's the top news story. Has been for days.

OP posts:
Gilmorehill · 25/08/2021 13:11

@EverybodyIsInteresting

I don't think it matters what anyone says, you won't change your mind on this. I'm not sure why you posted in aibu.

He's done all the organising. He's paid for the flight. He clearly cares about the animals otherwise he wouldn't have an animal shelter in the first place.

He doesn't need the UK government to care about the animals. Let's face it, we all know that don't care much for most people. Look at the way they treated the Windrush Generation. He just needs permission for the flight and occupants to get here. It's not a lot to ask in the circumstances.

I 100% agree and it’s refreshing to see someone with principles, passion and loyalty for a change.
failedbyGP · 25/08/2021 13:12

@GiantTCRsl79

Biden announced troop withdrawal in April but it was known about since Fb 2020, when Trump did his deal with the Taliban.

Rather than do the Governments bidding and attempt to blame anyone but themselves, maybe a liitle more questioning as to why its all being done in the few hours and days before the withdrawal deadline?

Yes, this man is being set up as a distraction and scapegoat by the government for their despicable decision to withdraw followed by their shambolic actual withdrawal, not to mention what they were spending their time on instead when they should have been dealing with this crisis when it was first developing.
MakemeaCake · 25/08/2021 13:12

What did you want out of this goady thread, OP? Everyone to rant and rave on about 'putting animals above humans'? You're really showing yourself up to be ignorant and attention-seeking.

Why are you trying to provoke the OP by calling her names- 'ignorant and attention-seeking' when she has started a discussion about something?

There are many different views on this man and what he's doing.

Trying to stifle a discussion because in YOUR esteemed view it's goady is unacceptable.

The OP and anyone on MN has the right to discuss a political situation that is headline news.

jasjas1973 · 25/08/2021 13:13

[quote MakemeaCake]@jasjas1973 Your anger should be directed at Trump and Biden.

Trump started the pulling out plan and Biden inherited it.
Biden has had the chance to allow more time and he has said no.

No one foresaw that the Afghan army would surrender to the Taliban overnight after the Brits and US army had spent 20 years training them to fight the Taliban.[/quote]
Nope, Johnson knew this date was set in stone and didn't act sooner, there is no justification for waiting until the last moment.

He had a G7 meeting just a few months ago and it wasn't even on his agenda.

Citizens and those Afghaniis who helped the British should have been removed to the UK long before now.

Trumps deal is an internationally agreed and legally biding treaty, Biden did not have the means to delay with the Taliban's support.

Goofers · 25/08/2021 13:13

Quite a few people on this thread seem to think that 300 is the same as 600. ...

TheAstronaut · 25/08/2021 13:13

What do you have to "want" anything out of a thread? It's the top news story. Has been for days.

You never miss a chance to say something about not liking dogs though do you OP.

MakemeaCake · 25/08/2021 13:14

Yes, this man is being set up as a distraction and scapegoat by the government for their despicable decision to withdraw followed by their shambolic actual withdrawal,

We withdrew years ago.

What on earth are you on about?

The situation has been created by Trump who laid down plans for the withdrawal of the US soldiers and now agreed on by Biden.

You don't have a clue what you are talking about.

ancientgran · 25/08/2021 13:14

@TheAstronaut

There’s a few people on this thread, including OP who have stated over and over again on other threads that they don’t like dogs..or cats...or indeed any animal. Regardless of the situation, they wouldn’t be in support of helping animals.
At one point I had 3 rescue dogs in my house, I also had 5 cats of my own and a stray that moved in to have her kittens so a total of 12 cats. One cat cost us a small fortune for surgery where she had 1 to 1 care for the first 24 hours.

I still think they should get the people who are at risk out.

failedbyGP · 25/08/2021 13:14

If you are upset about his man, and believing the storyline that he values animals more than humans is understandable, you are being manipulated by the government who are trying to hide from their massive catastrophic mistakes in enabling an entire country to be taken over within a matter of weeks by the Taliban and failing to address the inevitable humanitarian disaster that the actions of this government led directly to.

MakemeaCake · 25/08/2021 13:15

@jasjas1973 Nope. Just because the date was set, it didn't mean that the Afghan army would surrender to the Taliban.

user1471433754 · 25/08/2021 13:15

The Genealogist
Is that you Boris?

MakemeaCake · 25/08/2021 13:16

@failedbyGP

If you are upset about his man, and believing the storyline that he values animals more than humans is understandable, you are being manipulated by the government who are trying to hide from their massive catastrophic mistakes in enabling an entire country to be taken over within a matter of weeks by the Taliban and failing to address the inevitable humanitarian disaster that the actions of this government led directly to.
Oh do stop and look at the history.

What was your plan?

To send in more UK soldiers months ago?

Original poster
TheGenealogist · 25/08/2021 13:16

I like people more than I like dogs. Or cats for that matter.

OP posts:
CandlesBlanketsandTea · 25/08/2021 13:16

The real issue is that the withdrawal has been a shit show, failing so many people. Pen iis caught in the middle of a disaster zone that none of us have experienced. I think if I was faced with that situation I'd get pretty crafty and wild, he's fighting for his survival not just posting for drama. Our anger should be directed at the government, the real decision makers, not a ex-soldier trying his best for his staff and animals.