From: nigel@rs733.GSFC.NASA.Gov
Subject: Re: BBN II -- Murk-o-Vision World Update (Mau Mau)
Organization: Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md, USA
	<NIGEL.92Jul23112145@rs733.GSFC.NASA.Gov>
	<1992Jul24.050033.18743@dscomsf.desy.de>
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 18:35:49 GMT

In article <1992Jul24.050033.18743@dscomsf.desy.de> hallam@zeus02.desy.de (Phillip M. Hallam-Baker) writes:

   nigel@rs733.GSFC.NASA.Gov writes:

   |>|>hallam@zeus02.desy.de (Phillip M. Hallam-Baker) writes:
   |>
   |>[much deleted]
   |>

[more deleted - comment about hollywood and sarcastic comment that
s.c.b wouldn't ever draw conclusions based on that image deleted]

   |> While the Brits have bloody great
   |>Sargents our NCOs aren't too shabby either...and we have techno
   |>wizardy wimply because a) we can afford it and b) force multiplication
   |>through technology is a good way of saving lives.

   I would suggest that you consider the bit where the NCOs go surffing
   during an battle in `appocalypse now'

Jolly good shot ol'chap...shall we venture into 'Zulu Dawn' now?  I
suspect that you would prefer 'Zulu' more...

   OK yes, we will humour you, the US army is great, wonderful,
   magnificent. It hasn't just lost a war in Vietnam - in fact we will let
   you call it something else, er a tactical withdrawal, yes that sounds
   good. 

Nope...sorry...we got our "asses whooped real good" (use your best
Monty Python southern accent here)...however I think that we lost the
war more for lack of good civillian leadership rather than wholescale
military bankruptcy.  Granted a lot of generals appeared to have their
collective heads ups their behinds but that is about par for the
course...

[more deleted]

   The US murdered more Vietnamese in the war than Ho Chi Minhs govt did after.

Right...tell that to the numerous families who have lost relatives to
"re-education".  You can go convince those people who have lost
husbands, wives, parents and children during the boat people saga.
And you can bloody well stuff your less than deserved arrogance up
your bottom...the British Empire has far bloodier hands than the US
when it comes to "colonial affairs".

   |>Good thing we got our asses kicked?  Maybe...we've learned a lot of
   |>lessons from that war and the Gulf conflict proved it.

   What like how to aim rockets? The gulf was just about the one place
   where all that techno wizardry would work. Nicely uniform background to
   spot the targets on, complete air superiority, nice dry conditions so
   the electronics don't go screwy.

Yes...and I suppose that there is some "sin" in using techno-wizardy
in warfare?  Building and keeping that edge shows that our military is
at least safeguarding our interests and doing a good job of it.
Unlike other countries that must reneg on contracts and steal aircraft
carriers from customers for a war bravely fought but little prepared...
and frankly as ill-concieved as our involvment in Vietnam.

   And above all the British airforce to take out the runways of the
   opposition despite the attempts to blast them out of the sky from the US
   forces instructed by those oh so good NCOs of yours.

Rest assured that had the US not had the services of the RAF the
mission would still have been accomplished...and with far less belly
aching over incidents that occur in every war.  While England's 
military seems as professional as ever some of her subjects whine a
bit much over the necessary risks of war...has British blood thinned
that much in 50 years?

   Phill Hallam-Baker

Nigel Tzeng

PS As an note...I really had fun writing this...s.c.b involvment seems
to inspire uppity colonists to be stuffily pompous...it must be those
hypenated names ;-).  
--
Nigel Tzeng
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