Prince Charles in Ireland

I meant the post before the last one

Yes. Maybe. But the "atrocities" committed by our troops are a drop in the ocean compared to what has, and is being done to ordinary people in the Middle East. And I've no doubt it was the same in N.I.

Maybe, but is it then forgivable in occupying troops but unforgiveable in an occupied people? I would have thought that any atrocitiy committed by our troops was too many. We have an appaling record of occupation and oppression and we should set higher standards. It is a fact that the more we restrict and dominate a people the more likely they are to rebel and in that rebellion do things which harm the innocent.

Sadly, you can't send in a load of men of the constitution required to undertake soldiering without, sometimes, their over aggressive and vengeful side to surface. It shouldn't happen, but that is very much how things are in the real world.

I don't know who in the Middle East, and I thought that was where we are now in this conversation, is being dominated or oppressed by us. I've no doubt many out there would wish we were 'dominating' their worlds.

Dead right, jingl. The recent bombing and destruction of lives and homes in Aden has hardly been mentioned in the media but I have read first hand accounts from friends and contacts who have been saying for a very long time that their lives were better under British rule.

But British rule sounds tyrannical surely , does Britain rule or govern

It sounds tyrannical these days but people did say rule and not govern.

Yes I accept rule was used many years ago but I was surprised people still considered themselves ruled by Britain , unless they fought for independence

I can't see any difference between 'govern' and 'rule' in the case of the UK. Our government acknowledges the Monarch. That's just pedantry.

jbf I didn't actually say we are now dominating or oppressing anyone. However the record of our interference and meddling in the affairs of other countries still echoes in those countries and resounds for years after troops have withdrawn. The Middle East is a prime example. We drew arbitary borders, installed and supported dodgy dictators, decided we didn't like them and helped overthrow them, then withdrew and left chaos behind.