h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I think after the fact everyone responsible for the sinking of the Belgrano knew they had done wrong.

There was a reluctance to let all the information out and an attempt to whitewash adn hide how far up the chain of command the orders came form.

The British set an exclusion zone and didnt stick to it, that in one sense says it all on the other hand Ive never been involved in a war and even in situations where my life wasnt on the line ive gone over the mark when Ive been rattled. Mistakes happen when people are under pressure and in wars those mistakes can often mean people die.

We had the millitary power to sabre rattle Argetina off the Falklands but it would have taken longer, cost more money and would not have garnered as much glory for those in charge of the Task Force. The lives lost were the price price paid for quick results, money saved and medals on chests.

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"We had the millitary power to sabre rattle Argetina off the Falklands but it would have taken longer, cost more money and would not have garnered as much glory for those in charge of the Task Force. The lives lost were the price price paid for quick results, money saved and medals on chests."

How could we have used "military power" to remove Argentina from the islands without a war? Threats? We did that and the Argentines thought it was a bluff which is why we had to act. As for the idea that a war is a cheap alternative...

We made a threat from a very long way away. It was during cold war so we did have the hardware to send and then just look tough for a bit and hope that'd make Gen Galtieri think again instead. The UK scrapped together a big enough "Task force" and got on with it "short, sharp, shock" style.

Saved money and there was the worry for some that Russia might seize the opportunity of seeing the back door left open if we sent a lot of the armed forces far away.

I can see why people were upset about British troops being killed by French built missiles but that's the arms trade for you. I do hope hope people are equally angry about British built hardware killing people all over the world aswell though. "It dont rain on one, it rains on all"

Can we just put to bed the continuing insinuation that the sinking of the Belgrano was in any way 'wrong'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARA_General_Belgrano

The captain of the Belgrano said it was legitimately sunk.
The Admiral of the Argentinian Task Force said it was legitimately sunk.

I love the way the first line of that article is this:

"The ARA General Belgrano was an Argentine Navy cruiser sunk in a controversial incident during the Falklands War with significant loss of life."

Could have picked a better way to end the controversy there SWL

I do agree with you though. It was a warship, sunk in a war, by the enemy.

Well, why bother the death of 323 boys..


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Amsterdam.

I know; "when the war is over the Dutch come in". (very true)

Nobody's saying those people deserved to die, and in an ideal world they would have lived long and fulfilled lives.

This isn't an ideal world.

They were members of armed forces killed in a war. It's awful that they died, and they'll be remembered as casualties of war, but are they in any way different to any other casualty of that conflict?

Not in my eyes.

SWL haven't you repeatedly criticized other people's use of wikipedia? So I guess wikipedia is wrong when you disagree with it?

Unlike many Wiki articles, this one quotes extensively from reputable sources.

There's probably enough links to keep even you happy Arnie

reputable = in agreement with you?

Read it yourself and make your own mind up.

If you can contradict it and back up your position with verifiable facts - go ahead.

You couldn't find a point in a cutlery drawer Arnie. You've got nothing to say about the subject, but that doesn't stop you does it?

Let's all share own experiences, opinions, etc.

Don't start a useless fight.


Please.

The point is SWL, many wiki articles are great, but your criteria is based solely on whether you agree with the content.

ps. what exactly is my position?