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ForeverAddickted said:

https://twitter.com/TheWorldOfFunny/status/840319616060669952

That happened to our son when he was little. Oh, how we laughed.

A-R-T-H-U-R said:

but he's not protected the UK at all? The military haven't protected the UK mainlands directly in oh around 72 years

Not to mention thousands of soldiers being based in Germany during the Cold War, under the expectation - and understanding - of total annihilation should the Soviets decide to invade. All in the effort to slow down the advance towards the UK mainland.

Or the Royal Navy, who always seem to pop up to extract British diplomats and tourists from other lands whenever violence looks likely.

Or the Army again, who had to do peacekeeping within the UK (Op. Banner) for around 30 years - with soldiers often paying the ultimate sacrifice.

Or the Army again, who have stepped in during floods, provided assistance during "at risk" times (i.e The Olympics) on our streets, helped protect the public during strikes.. and I could go on.

Protecting the UK means more than "fighting for the UK mainland"; it includes ensuring British citizens both at home and abroad are "safe" - and that form of safety doesn't always have anything to do with a direct military threat to the UK. In reflect, it was a bit of a stupid comment wasn't it, Daz?

Its like, well cool to like, dislike, the UK Military now.

iainment said:

I've always disliked them. But that comes from being the son of a squaddy and living near Windsor in my teens, where a common hobby of soldiers seemed to be to get drunk and assault people with long hair.
I never felt protected particularly by them. And remember well the almost coup under Wilson.
So Michael Owen did much more to make me proud of England than any soldiers, sailors or airmen.

Including the ones who fought in Kosovo and saved countless lives by putting a stop to ethnic cleansing? How many lives has Michael Owen saved?

iainment said:

I've always disliked them. But that comes from being the son of a squaddy and living near Windsor in my teens, where a common hobby of soldiers seemed to be to get drunk and assault people with long hair.
I never felt protected particularly by them. And remember well the almost coup under Wilson.
So Michael Owen did much more to make me proud of England than any soldiers, sailors or airmen.

When I flirted with joining the army at 16 I had a discussion with someone who had been involved with the peacekeeping operations during the Yugoslav Wars, and witnessed many unspeakable atrocities. The one tale he did share is not one I'd post on here, but needless to say he dealt with the aftermath of what can only be described as sheer evil.

Several years later I found myself eating a Cevapi in Mostar, Bosnia, and seeing the locals selling tourists models of NATO jets built out of shell casings. I remember it making me feel uneasy, until a discussion with one vendor mentioned how NATO had provided them protection against genocide - and these items were a way of remembering that period of their (recent) history.

Similarly, walking out of the old town and seeing bullet and shell damage to all the buildings - similar to those I'd seen in Croatia near the old garrison outside of Dubrovnik - specifically around windows - and realising that it was in part our military that protected these people, and shielded them from sheer evil. When I asked a local tour guide why Croatia - like Bosnia - had not demolished the damaged buildings, as surely their economic status as a tourist hotspot could've afforded them that luxury, I was told they would likely stay there for the foreseeable future - as a reminder of the price they paid due to evil and hatred.

I understand your views on Northern Ireland are far from my own, we've had that discussion before, but I will just say that I know that I have family members who owe their life to the Security Forces in NI - and by way of cause and effect, I owe my life to them too.

I'm not claiming they're all heroes who should be placed on a pedestal, but I'm stating that I'm thankful that they're there and I dread to think of the alternative. Like a "necessary evil", in an ideal world there would be no need for men to put their life on the line whilst being trained to do acts that don't belong in any civilised society, but we do not live in an ideal world, and I for one am grateful of those who are prepared to risk it all for the protection of others.

So no, I can't honestly claim that a footballer who has made me more proud of my country. Whilst I understand that you dislike them - and you have every right - to claim that a sportsman makes you more proud is myopic at best, and quite offensive at worst.

What does everyone think about this Brexit thing? Would be interesting to hear your opinions.....

To be fair to Michael Owen, i doubt too​ many people - footballers or otherwise - can compete with "the entire history of the British army"

iainment said:

I've always disliked them. But that comes from being the son of a squaddy and living near Windsor in my teens, where a common hobby of soldiers seemed to be to get drunk and assault people with long hair.
I never felt protected particularly by them. And remember well the almost coup under Wilson.
So Michael Owen did much more to make me proud of England than any soldiers, sailors or airmen.

Another massive cock