Because, sadly, there are some idiots in our society. Dangerous idiots, too. You've been fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan so you should know better than most. Unfortunately, and whether we like it or not, they have some sympathisers in the free world, including over here. There's not much we can do about it.

We can and should remove said idiots.

Because the nurse didn't know who the potentially offended were. I'm quite sure if she'd been able to see, say, two or three trouble makers then hospital security would have removed them. She simply made a judgment call based on previous experience that a uniform might (stress: might) cause trouble and therefore she decided to mitigate the risk by asking the soldier to sit elsewhere. Was that the right thing to do? I would say probably, on balance, no. Our instinctive reaction should be to put pride in our military first. But I can still understand why she did it, and I'm not going to criticise her for doing what she thought was the right thing. If you have to blame someone, it's the society that shaped the individuals involved in this incident and not the individuals themselves.

So what you are saying is essentially she moved the soldier out of view in case anyone was offended, that's even bloody worse, I can undertstand (not agree) with him being moved if there were some bearded goat f***ers in the waiting area, however you imply there was not so moved the nurse moved him " just in case " someone got offended. That is outrageous.

While I wouldn't use your language, I would agree totally that her decision is a reflection of an unwelcome trend in our society. I still don't blame the nurse but you are absolutely right in thinking her behaviour reflects how we are today. And I agree, it's not right.

A great many of the Jihadist Johnny Foreigners you refer to are, in fact, English. I believe it's on UK passports that they depart for Syria to join ISIS. With regard to Lee Rigby, I recall he was treated like a hero and in the aftermath of that awful incident, he was accorded huge respect from the general public. I also think that while as a society we have become intimidated by the threat of terrorism, we have NOT lost respect for our military. But many have become scared to show their respect, as the hospital incident suggests.

Oh really well have a gander at this then

[Link]

And so you should be.

I seriously doubt you would punch a young, well intentioned nurse in the face for politely trying to do what she thought was right. If you did, you'd be a disgrace to the military and as a serving soldier, I doubt you are that.

I would never hit a female full stop no matter the provocation. However the fact remains she felt complelled to place the serviceman second in her priorities. Not sure there was any need for the afters in your post ...if you did etc etc.

What she did is reflective of the pressure society feels to upease the gobs***e miniorities and how easy it is for people to be branded a racist just for liking and being proud of their own country.

That is the real issue here. And there's a few on here that exhibit that same nausiating apologistic trait.

Edited by sydtheeagle (28 Sep 2015 12.41pm)

We can and should remove said idiots.

But how do we identify all of them? Also, if they're British, on what grounds do we remove them? You're a serving soldier. Isn't freedom of speech and democracy what you're protecting? Disgusting as the way some people use their freedom of speech, is we're a better society for tolerating it. Previous regimes that have followed your suggestion haven't ended very well.

So what you are saying is essentially she moved the soldier out of view in case anyone was offended, that's even bloody worse, I can undertstand (not agree) with him being moved if there were some bearded goat f***ers in the waiting area, however you imply there was not so moved the nurse moved him " just in case " someone got offended. That is outrageous.

Yes, that is what I was saying. And it IS outrageous. We don't disagree with each other. But you overlook my point which is that the argument here is against a society that produces that sort of thinking; not against the nurse. I have not backed what she did; merely sought to understand it in context. She did the wrong thing for what seemed to her like the right reason. My argument is that a lot of the anger here is mis-directed.

Oh really well have a gander at this then

Obviously not a very edifying read but there's always an exception that proves the rule. I don't think Greenwich Council represents the nation's views on the military.

Edited by sydtheeagle (28 Sep 2015 1.48pm)

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

I don't disagree with anything you Wiki'd at your local Costa in Exeter there McKermit, but has nothing to do with my experience of service personal RE- living here.

I can understand what you mean but in all fairness I doubt the RAF serviceman was going on a pub crawl/civvy bashing when he was injured and in hospital. Not really the RAF thing anyway: more for the Paras, the Chunkies and the Grunts.