Intellectually Disarmed

John Keegan, one of the most astute military historians of current times, comments in the Telegraph this week concerning the Blair Government's attempt to amalgamate or disband regiments of the British Armed Forces and the inherent dangers of just such moves to not only the culture of the forces themselves, but ultimately to the security of the nation.


Keegan writes:

'The Parliamentary Labour Party is anti-military, to a degree that prevents it acknowledging the favour done to the Government by the Armed Forces. The chattering classes are also anti-military, as they will remain until some terrible terrorist outrage shakes their complacency. Key ministers are either anti-military, such as Mr. Brown, or uncomprehending, as is the Prime Minister."

Change Labour to Liberal and fill in any of the names of the last few Ministers of Defence for Mr. Brown, and that pretty much sums of the situation in Canada.

"The chattering classes are also anti-military, as they will remain until some terrible terrorist outrage shakes their complacency."

I am reminded of a recent conversation with a co-worker concerning the university/career aspirations of our children. This is a university educated woman in her 30's working as an analyst who was horrified that the youngest Amazon was working on admittance to the Royal Military College. I gave her my two minute lecture on the responsibilities of citizen soldiers in a free society. Her response, no one in her family needs to do this as they pay their taxes. Who would have thought that T-4's are the latest line of defense? Someone should tell the Marines and the IDF so that way the action in Iraq can be wrapped up and Palestinian terror quelled once and for all.

Inspite of the lip service being paid on Remember Day about the debt that is owed to generations past; the bottom line is that to aspire to being a soldier is no longer seen as an honourable calling. It is no longer considered socially responsible parenting to allow your children to play with guns or toy soldiers. Go out and try to find a G.I. Joe in Toys "R" Us. The closest you can get is Action Man. He's an extreme sports junkie.

Or take the case of Jason Gilson, a 23 year old injuried veteran, recently returned from Iraq, who went to walk in Seattle's recent Independence Day parade. The maddening crowd booed and cried "Murderer" and "Babykiller" as he marched with his medals on his chest.

Perhaps Keegan's most important point is this:

"These are dangerous times, all the more so since the threat to national security is diffuse and inchoate. Because the Cold War is over does not mean that we are not in a war situation. We are - but our enemy's attack may come at any time, in unexpected form and on unannounced pretext. Our readiness to meet the threat is undermined by the legalistic mood that infects judiciary, police and government. The rhetoric of human rights now predominates over the dictates of defence necessity. We are intellectually disarmed, perhaps the weakest security posture in which it is possible for people to confront danger."