The Falklands War

[crinolynne]

Originally Posted by VEuser133

From that remark, I take it you have never served in Her Majesties Armed Forces

I find this comment mildly offensive. You imply that you have served and you imply that somehow your opinion is different and you further imply that because of your experience of having "served" that somehow your view has more validity than others.

Thatcher affected my life greatly and very negatively as she did many of my peers. She was undemocratic and caused an enormous amount of damage to institutions, ethics and more.

That she stood up to Scargill and his ilk; Galtieri and his fascists; that she gave Reagan a spine are each somewhat moot. She was, like Churchill, a person made for the moment and the moment made them. But oh the cost.

[haroldeye]

Just how was she undemocratic? And having been around in the 1970's I have a very good idea of the cost if she had not had her way.

[crinolynne]

Originally Posted by haroldeye

Just how was she undemocratic? And having been around in the 1970's I have a very good idea of the cost if she had not had her way.

Britain has an unwritten constitution. She rode roughshod over it and erased centuries of understanding. And that is why there's a supreme court now.

[george anson]

I do dislike the idea of Thatcher claiming the credit. The credit belongs to the British military and especially those who laid down their lives. And many who still suffer the mental scars of that conflict.

As do Argentine veterans. The main instigator as usual was a politician/dictator in trouble at home seeking an outlet to divert public attention. Galtieri.

Personally I have no real vision of seeing the Belgrano a threat to the British task force. An outdated Brooklyn light cruiser her sister ship had already been scrapped.

I think it's a great shame that two countries who have had a close relationship in the past (there is still a significant proportion of the Argentine populace who have British antecedence, I for example have relatives over there from a century ago) are still at loggerheads over the islands. Surely some form of negotiated settlement over resources (which is the crux of the matter) could be agreed ?

As a RN Surgeon Commander (honoured by both the Argentine and British military) said what hit him most was the tragic waste of young lives on both sides.

[scoundrel]

Originally Posted by george anson

Personally I have no real vision of seeing the Belgrano a threat to the British task force. An outdated Brooklyn light cruiser her sister ship had already been scrapped.

I am glad it wasn't allowed to make the attempt.