Tuesday 23 November 2010

Of course it's only drama

And no one ever believes that drama is true, do they?  Well actually they do as stories of various soap villains being hit, abused and the like because of the things that their character did on the moronoscope!

The latest offering from the BBC 'Jimmy McGovern's - the accused' displays things that, as far as I am aware, are not and in so doing will undoubtedly bring further pain and distress to the families of people who either reside in the QE Hospital, Headley Court and other places where recovering wounded are to be found, and for those who (sadly) possess the Elizabeth Cross) provides the cherry on a very painful cake!

Controversial drama is all well and good, but there has to be some balance. It seems to me that there is (as always) an agenda with this production.

Actors in the production say that it has left them with 'more respect' and claim that it is nothing more that a 'piece of fiction, a 'what if' this happened in the British Army?"  The problem is that there are many who will see this as a 'what is' in the British Army and therefore it fuels things which might best best left.

If people would like a dialogue on Afghanistan, a true image of 'what is', honest and open, full and frank, then I am surely up for that.

Then again, the number of people who tell me, 'we shouldn't be there' and are surprised when I explain the implications on the nation state of Pakistan or the realities of having 'something terrorist' coming to a town or city near you, the destabilising efforts of other nations upon Iraq (whom we left before the job was done as I see it) and Afghanistan and the role that we are playing out in dusty and rocky places - I get the 'Oh, I didn't realise. I thought it was all about oil!'.

As for bleats about 'my dad went to war and was proud that he ever even fired his weapon!' from the writer. This is the truth - every soldier want to walk onto a battlefield, find peace and never have to fire their weapon.

Pity he didn't write about that and the fact that the British Army understand LOAC (Laws of Armed Conflict) and live by them.

Pity he didn't choose to reflect on the Values and Standards of the British Army:

Selfless Commitment

Respect for other - respect for self

Loyalty

Integrity

Discipline, and

Courage

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum

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