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

"Even though they are trained for that, it doesn't mean that they can go around actively starting them. It's a deterant, like bombs"

As was proved in Bosnia in 1995, Peacekeepers need to be *more* than mere deterrent or they are worthless. If need be, they need to be able to strike back.

Yeah strick back not start a war.

I'm watching the prog about it on channel 4 (UK) right now. It's interesting.
roselin

Which one is it, I'll go and check it out.

Oddly enough, the 'founding fathers' of the 'American Republic' had a mixed notion of being God's Gift to the Heathen and being the natural successors of the Roman ideal.
I don't know how much of this was window-dressing, as self-promotion and propaganda have never been out of style, but there was, in their attempt to separate themselves from the 'Divine Right of Kings', a harkening back to a poorly-understood age in which any individual could possibly rise to rule...usually through the military or political maneuvering sponsored by one's wife's money.

http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/farewell/transcript.html

Yet, we find, in the Farewell Address of Geo. Washington, the out-going, if introverted, First President of the U.S., a warning against overblown military establishments and ill-considered alliances.
The Address is not entirely from Washington's hand, Madison and another had a hand in it, and it was never delivered in public, but published.
If you make it past the 'Divine' this and the 'Destined' that, you will find that there is a sensibility present that realizes that the tendency of small men to exalt themselves at the expense of their own needs cannot be overcome by reason.

On the whole, I have always felt that each in-coming president should be made to memorize parts of this essay in future damage control, because the actions of many of them have strongly indicated that they have never heard of it.

>This raises an interesting point, perhaps some of the world's advanced nations should start training volunteer troops specifically for peacekeeping.

There seem to be nations that specialize in it. Canada has been involved in virtually every peacekeeping mission since WWII. Different nations have armies that train differently. Peackeeping just isn't our schtick.

Bookmark.

Maybe, maybe if there weren't any crazy meglomaniacs in the world we might be a bit more relaxed. Maybe I hate Eastenders, but then who am I to judge.

That is Eastenders the program and not people that happen to live in the East end of London.

The East End´ian empire

Two Bit: "The philosophy of the United States is that we use the military for war. Peacekeeping isn't something that we do. Have a war, and we're you're guy."

Whisky: "If you ask any member of the armed forces in the UK they'll give you roughly the same answer... The military is trained to fight wars, not to act as policemen - For any in the UK who doubt that, just ask any soldier who's served in Northern Ireland about the rubbish they had to go through in the name of policing and politics"


As far as the role of the military, I would argue that it has 3, and in order: 1. Follow orders. 2. Defend it's citizens (at home). 3. Fight foreign wars (in the defense of it's citizens).

Two Bit: "The philosophy of the United States is that we use the military for war. Peacekeeping isn't something that we do. Have a war, and we're you're guy."

Whisky: "If you ask any member of the armed forces in the UK they'll give you roughly the same answer... The military is trained to fight wars, not to act as policemen - For any in the UK who doubt that, just ask any soldier who's served in Northern Ireland about the rubbish they had to go through in the name of policing and politics"


As far as the role of the military, I would argue that it has 3, and in order: 1. Follow orders. 2. Defend it's citizens (at home). 3. Fight foreign wars (in the defense of it's citizens).

I certainly belive that fighting wars is what the military would like to do, but let's face it, there really isn't that many wars about. However, there are many more peace keeping jobs out there. Perhaps it's time to grow the peacekeeping skills of military personnel?

Actually, 'peacekeepers' end up being babysitters for 'grown-ups', but daddy rarely gives them permission to spank.
'Peacekeepers' are 'security guards', rent-a-cops with uniforms and weapons, but no real authority to do anything but try and keep their heads down when the shooting starts.

The true curiousness when you attempt to promote a 'rule of law' that effects national or tribal entities is that you have to have a threat of enforcement or punishment.
A 'gentlemen's agreement' that everyone will play fair has been tried before.

Imagine, for a moment, if you would, a group of 'peacekeepers' having been sent from Europe for the express purpose of providing a mitigating and mediating influence during the American Civil War.
As has happened with several UN missions, they probably would be resented and attacked by both sides.

Or, to bring it a bit closer, imagine the same thing occurring during the Spanish Civil War. Same result.

The problem, is not actually training the military in Peacekeeping roles, its giving them the authority to do something about it... In most cases the political decisions imposed on the military make it impossible for them, despite any training they may have had, to enforce a peace in any war-torn country.

Well going back to a tangent, the Royal army involvement was'nt much orginally in the begainning. Lets face it in the begainning the UK army was looking after Kabul airport and then following America into Tora Bora picking off the Taliban, America missed which means we fought more in Tora Bora than the Americans did!!!

Back to the original topic.

Did anyone see Jonathan Freedland's programme about the Roman Empire/Opinionated bitch about US power on British TV? I was discussing it with a friend recently (I didn't see the program, but I read the article), and he agreed with me that Freedland's ideas and comparisons were desperate and flimsy (although he felt that the office of President and Imperator were similarly commanding of respect. I argued that the office of President is rarely treated with respectful awe these days and the President has never claimed to be either a God (Pagan Roman Empire) or second only to the Holy Trinity (Christian Roman Empire)).

ah, but we do have Father, Son and Colin Powell!

You mean Co-olin Powell!!!