When will we ever learn!

One commentator wrote that the British Empire was created in a period of absent-mindedness, and while this may be argued, it is certainly true that the British woke up to find themselves masters of approximately 25% of the known world. Many grew extremely rich, millions more worked for a pittance, slavery grew, was tolerated as ‘a profitable trade', was itself targeted by a tiny number of influential Englishmen who grew disgusted at the trade in humanity, and was outlawed. The building of the Empire was itself a tinderbox in a timeline which saw the American Colonies depart towards an Independence celebrated just a day ago, while the East India Company ruled a sub-continent for profit and on behalf the British Government. That same Company, by furnishing it’s own Navy, ensured control of waters as far afield as the Cape to the China coast, which itself led to more conquests and colonies of Empire.

The British took it upon themselves to spread their version of Government to an ever-widespread number of countries, not many of which asked for this munificent gift, but since it was the days when the Lee-Enfield had the final word, there were not many dissenters.

The second departure from the Empire was South Africa, whose rebellious Boers, although beaten in the field of battle, won the peace, and self-government became the name of a peaceful change from direct British rule. The Second World War became the catalyst for change within Empire, with the rule of the Brown man by the White man overtaken by the brutal rule of the Yellow man, in the shape of the Japanese Empire, whose attack on American Pearl Harbour was the signal for a descent upon British, Dutch and other protectorates and colonies.

Ghandi, the Indian-born, British-educated lawyer and activist was the catalyst for the change in India’s status from a Empire colony to a self-governing democracy. His observance of a simple strategy of non-violent disobedience was something the British colonial governments could not break, and during the War, the British acceptance of immediate self-rule for India was enough for Ghandi to cease his opposition to the War, to urge his followers to co-operate with the British, and thus, once the conflict ended, India attained that which was promised. Other colonial nations, in Africa, South America, the Carribean, the Mediterranean, theFar and Middle East, swiftly followed India’s path towards independence; some successfully, some not so, but by the late Sixties, the Empire was no more, and a Commonweatlh had grown instead.

Some, the writer included, would comment upon the Commonwealth as ‘having not much in common, and less wealth’ but that perhaps is an argument for another day! We had our try at Empire and Nation-building, and as our soldiers lay dying in the fields of Cyprus, or Natal, or Virginia, or any other of the god-forsaken dumps where our writ had run, we had decided that that was our lot, and someone else should have a go at bringing ‘civilisation’ to a bunch who patently didn’t really want it, or in fact deserve it! We have watched as India grew to be the world's largest functioning democracy, and also saw nation after nation in Black-ruled Africa succumb to dictatorship, starvation and disease.

So in reflection, what in heaven’s name are we sending more and more of our soldiers to spill their blood in our name in Afghanistan? We shouldn’t be in the game of nation-building any more, probably because what suits us doesn’t suit many others!

Comments

[Ernest Young]

'wh(at)y in heaven’s name are we sending more and more of our soldiers.....'

That is a question that many are asking. Isn't Afghanistan supposed to be a NATO conflict? - if so, how comes so few members of that group are actually doing any of the hard work?
Even when other members of the group are mentioned, they seem to be present as a mere token of support, - just enough to give the donor country a say, - usually a veto, - as to how the battle should be conducted.

Another point - just why do we have a special interest there? - while we are thrashing around over there trying to deliver 'freedom' to a people, who it seems really couldn't care less about such matters, worrying rather more about the next poppy crop and feeding their families than chasing such esoterics as the western concept of 'freedom'. when we probably have as many Taliban supporters living in the Midlands, as we are fighting in Afghanistan!

So given the fact that Britain has been virtually and irrevocably invaded by these same people, why are 'our' soldiers, 'over there', fighting what seems to be a pointless war, when we really could do with them 'back here', manning the porous borders with our erstwhile 'friends' on the EU. who, must surely see the humour of the situation, and be laughing at the sheer malicious stupidity of our politicians, all the while encouraging and even facilitating the smooth passage of even more 'seekers of sanctuary', from all points of the globe.

If our military - whose mandate is to protect our shores, are unable, for whatever reason, to do the job for which we pay them, them , then perhaps it is time we did a 'Frenchie', or a 'Swissy', and disbanded the military, other than keeping a token ceremonial squad for things such a Royal weddings and funerals...