A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE

Old warriors and their medals

There has been a fair old bit in the news about old Jock squint, aka Gordon Brown, our beloved Prime Minister, making a comparison between the British athletes in the Olympics in Beijing and our troops in the far too many war zones we are involved in.  There is a slight difference that should be pointed out to Gordy, apart from not having to dodge bombs, bullets, missiles and anything else the enemy can throw at them, the difference between our soldiers and the British athletes are this. 

Members of the armed forces look at their work as a career which they know will possibly end their lives, but are still willing to do so for the defence of the Realm.  Their pay and conditions, also disruption to family life, do not reflect the possible dangers they are asked to face on our behalf. 

Runners jumpers, swimmers and those who choose to take up athletics make a choice to be involved for the possibility of fame, glory, and the many fiscal rewards they can make if successful. A poor bloody infantryman considers himself successful if he is still alive after a tour of duty. 

Olympic athletes win a medal if they run a bit faster than someone else, members of the armed forces are awarded a medal if they have placed themselves in extreme danger - how many athletes are awarded posthumous medals? 

If Gordon Brown can’t understand these fundamental differences, then what on earth is he doing as our Prime Minister where he is in a position to send brave young men to their deaths?