Re-arrest of 'deserter' sparks civil liberties fears

There are many understandable concerns about the war in Afghanistan, but as a soldier this man is required to serve his country as his country sees fit. There is no conscription in the UK, this man joined the army of his own free will. For him to now complain about being involved in a war, is like a surgeon complaining about having to perform surgical operations. Support for his position comes mainly from those who have no concept of military life or what it really means to part of the military. He is having his fifteen minutes of fame, while some of his colleagues are laying down their lives. The man is a deserter, and deserves to be treated as such!

par five wrote:

There are many understandable concerns about the war in Afghanistan, but as a soldier this man is required to serve his country as his country sees fit...

Yes, but maybe deserters are the only way to end this war. Public opinion has turned against us being there. Even though the public want us out, both the government and opposition will keep us there indefinately.

I imagine this man has been in turmoil about deserting his friends and comrades. The soldiers are only fighting out there for each other out of loyalty and comraderie. Most of them I imagine disagree with this war as well.

The thing is its a stalemate with no end in sight. But the UK like the US has a colonialist, military mindset. Where they want to control what goes on in foreign countries.

The whole thing is abserd. It is almost impossible to win a guerilla war, without support of the local population. It only takes a few dozen people with the ability to lay roadside bombs to bring an entire amry division to its knees.

From a religious POV we are just kidding ourselves if we think this is a "just war". Its not about self defense. Its about imposing our will onto a foriegn country against their will. Our political elite dont have a real religious convictions. They are just playing power games.

The head of the British army recently went on record saying we'll be there up to 40 years. I think it may be difficult for them to stay that long with the extent of the public opposition. But it wouldnt suprise me if we still had some prescence there in 2041. Nuts.

Adam wrote:

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"Yes, but maybe deserters are the only way to end this war. Public opinion has turned against us being there. Even though the public want us out, both the government and opposition will keep us there indefinately........"

The only thing deserters will achieve is a lengthy spell in a military prison. The war in Afghanistan is very complex. It is not a power thing for the likes of the UK and the USA. There are over forty countries who have troops in Afghanistan, and despite the complexities they are there for one reason, and one reason only, to bring stability to the country and give the ordinary Afghan people the opportunity to live a life free from fear and oppression. I have family members serving there at this very moment and they all believe what they are doing is worthwhile, and that is good enough for me. Of course no country wants to see their young men and women getting killed, but I often wonder if those who say the sacrifice is not worth it, say so because they see that sacrifice being made for people with dark skin, who have beards, wear strange looking clothes, and horror of horrors, are Muslims!

par five wrote:

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..I have family members serving there at this very moment and they all believe what they are doing is worthwhile, and that is good enough for me...

I am sure the armed forces are doing an outstanding job in very difficult circumstances. They deserve our admiration and respect.

...However IMO if our leaders are to put them in harms way, there should be a very good reason for it, and clear goals. We were initially told it was to take out UBL. Now its to bring democracy.

IMO what we have is a stalemate which will invariably lead to further loss of life.

If I were Obama I would set a timetable for withdrawal, and pay off the Afghan army and tribal leaders, to sort their own country out.

However I suspect this wont happen and we'll be there for a long time. I liken it to Northern Ireland. It may take decades for the opposing sides to sit down and talk to each other.