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| Britain |
| British Officer Famed for Speech Quits |
| 2004-01-11 |
| A British officer who made headlines with a stirring eve-of-battle speech to troops preparing to fight in Iraq has resigned from the army, a newspaper reported. The Mail on Sunday said Col. Tim Collins, 43, had handed in his resignation last week and was expected to leave the army this summer after 22 years of service. Collins, who commanded the 1st battalion of the Irish Guards, was often photographed smoking a cigar and wearing designer sunglasses. He galvanized his troops in Kuwait before the war with a speech that urged them to do their duty while treating the enemy with respect. "Wipe them out if that is what they choose. But if you are ferocious in battle, remember to be magnanimous in victory," he said. Prince Charles was so impressed that he wrote to Collins to say how "profoundly moved" he was by the "extraordinarily stirring, civilized and humane" speech. It was a great speech. You can find it here. Collins was investigated for war crimes after a U.S. Army reservist accused him of mistreating Iraqi prisoners, but was cleared of any wrongdoing. The Mail on Sunday quoted Collins’ wife Caroline as saying he was disillusioned with changes in the armed forces. "Tim is no longer convinced that the army reflects the country with the fourth largest economy in the world," she was quoted as saying. "He fears it is becoming a cottage industry. He’s worried it is being crippled by political correctness, petty bureaucracy and the refusal of politicians who send British soldiers to war to give them enough money to do their job." There may not be anyone left in Britain to thank this man, but I will thank him. Thank you, Tim. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #12 Metrofemis? Is that like having a division of Frenchmen to your rear? |
| Posted by: ed 2004-1-11 12:23:14 PM |
| #11 And PS O'Lord. From the Bacon Trolls protect Us. Hear our fervent prayers. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-1-11 11:57:26 AM |
| #10 No one can stop the march of the world Metrofemis. They come at you from the front and rear! |
| Posted by: Sgt Canuck 2004-1-11 11:55:09 AM |
| #9 raptor, TOIT, I read a lot of US-based blogs (too many to mention), and get a general sense that the US people are getting fed up of the worst excesses of PC stupidity. Its not anything I can put my finger on, just an inkling - I'd hoped some RBers could give me some anecdotes on destroying the lies and deceit involved in PC thinking! :) As to over here, we're lumbered with a Socialist government that is determined to give our country to unelected EU officials whilst at the same time creating 'hate speech' laws passed with no dissent. But, we muddle on... |
| Posted by: Tony (UK) 2004-1-11 9:35:59 AM |
| #8 Good speech. But I like Admiral S. Woodwards' speech to the fleet before entering the Falklands Exclusion Zone. Essentially boiled down to "We told you at the recruiting office this might happen... you took the money, get ready to fight." |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-1-11 8:12:32 AM |
| #7 Tony, the only answer is for all of us, in our countries, to stand up and say we won't put up with this crap anymore. And, if it gets bad, we may need to join forces in a single country to have a decent life. Come on over if you like - maybe we can save the States. |
| Posted by: tired of it too 2004-1-11 7:27:42 AM |
| #6 Sorry,Tony we are afflicted with the disease too. |
| Posted by: raptor 2004-1-11 7:07:50 AM |
| #5 why's he a showboating jerk? Seems like a good guy who speaks his mind.Do you not think political correctness gets in the way of our armed forces,if you don't your very disillusioned.I'm not trying to start an argument but please explain the showboating jerk bit better.thanks. |
| Posted by: Jon Shep 2004-1-11 6:59:00 AM |
| #4 The guy is showboating jerk who wrote a good speech but that doesn't change the foregoing fact! |
| Posted by: Jack is Back! 2004-1-11 6:50:27 AM |
| #3 the guys spot on with his comments about are forces becoming a cottage industry and especially the bit about being crippled by politacal correctness,Give him a medal, along with Kilroy. |
| Posted by: Jon Shep 2004-1-11 4:31:20 AM |
| #2 There's one at least (actually a bloody lot of people). Is there a limit as to how much PC shit a people can stand?, in the UK we're someway behind the curve here, can any US RantBurgers reassure me that this Orwellian nightmare is about to end? |
| Posted by: Tony (UK) 2004-1-11 4:02:15 AM |
| #1 Pollitical correctness must, at least, be payed it's due. Bow down then cross yourself. Once consecrated, sky's the limit. |
| Posted by: Lucky 2004-1-11 12:59:49 AM |
