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G4EBT > CRIME 22.10.09 18:41l 130 Lines 5120 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 691503G4EBT
Read: GUEST
Subj: RE: VE3WBZ: Criminal Soldiiers
Path: ON0AR<DB0RES<DK0WUE<GB7FCR
Sent: 091022/1823Z @:GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU #:33740 [Blackpool] FBB-7.03a $:691503G4
From: G4EBT@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : CRIME@WW
Peter, VE3WBZ wrote:-
> Interesting topic "More soldiers in jail than war" .,
> I just don't swallow that line.
Why not - it's true.
After the U.S., with 64,000 troops, Britain has the most military
personnel serving in Afghanistan, about 9,000. (Most are assigned to
Helmand province in the south, one of the most dangerous theatres of the
battle against the Taliban).
I wrote:
>A survey by The National Association of Probation Officers (Napo)
>estimated that 12,000 are under supervision of probation officers
>and a further 8,500 behind bars in England and Wales.
>The total of more than 20,000 is *more than twice the number currently
>serving in Afghanistan*.
As indeed it is.
So - 9,000 fighting in Afghanitan
8,500 in Prison in the UK
12,000 more on probation for criminal offences
I continued:
>These figures represent 8.5% of the total UK prison population, and 6% of
>all those on probation or parole. The proportion of those in prison who
>are veterans has risen by more than 30% in the last five years, as a
>result of soldiers who've returned from active service being unable
>to adapt to civilian life.
>The study by Napo uncovers the hidden cost of recent conflicts.
>The survey of probation case histories of convicted veterans shows a
>majority with chronic alcohol or drug problems, and nearly half suffering
>from post-traumatic stress disorder or depression as a result of their
>wartime experiences on active service.
This is of course in addition to those who are maimed, and have had
to go to the High Court to get adequate compensation for a lifetime of
dependency.
First they fought the government's war, then they have to fight the
government to be adequately compensated - sometimes for multiple
injuries from which in other wars, they wouldn't have survived.
Of course, whether or not some of these guys had gone to war, they may
well have had a propensity to get involved in heavy drinking and domestic
violence, but the issue is that they are simply not being properly
prepared for life in civvie street.
Cameraderie between kindred spirits does little to help that. They need to
fit in with everyone else in their lives, hold down jobs, and build a life
for themselves which doesn't incclude being too handy with their fists,
hitting the bottle, and sleeping rough on the streets.
Just gettin arrested even if not charged can have a profound effect on
their future prospects, precluding them from many jobs, and for example,
travel to America.
The assumption should be that all of them to some extent, will have PTSD,
which some will cope with better than others. It seems poor reward for
these young men, still often in their 20s, having putting their lives on
the line that they aren't given every support possible to adapt to the
rest of their lives.
Though the public aren't behind these wars, and haven't been from the
outset, they're behind the troops and have done much to help, support
and encourage them, through charitable efforts such as "Help For Heroes".
The government are trapped in Afghanistan and they know it. They can't
win, but if they pull out, it will be seen as a victory for the Taliban
and that all the lives lost so far will have been in vain.
Meanwhile, after eight years, poppy crops are at record levels, and 92% of
the world's heroin originates in Afghanistan. Our towns and villages are
awash with it, and a wrap of heroin in Hull costs less than a cup of
coffee from Starbucks.
When the government bangs on about the war in Afghanistan keeping us safe,
it must know it's nonsense. More drugs means more drug addicts, means more
house burglaries shop thefts and other acquisitive crime - some of it
violent.
That's what makes out street safe.
Terrorist acts are something we took in our stride for four decades from
the IRA which bombed the heart out of London, Manchester and Birmingham.
The IRA didn't stop us doing our Christmas shopping in crowded malls and
9/11 didn't stop us flying. About the least likely risk we run is that of
terrorism.
If all the money spent on these wars was spent at home on keeping tabs on
terrorists, scrapping faith schools and pressing for better integration,
the country would be a safer happier place. Less soldiers fighting
unwinnable wars, means more people in gainful employment leading
settled lives back home.
Or at least I think so.
The worst thing is when these young soldiers come home, (the ones who
come home alive and in one piece that is) go to the pub, and mention
that they've been to Afghanistan, and people say "what for - are you
some sort of thrill seeker, or could you just not get a job"?
It's Kipling's "Tommy Atkins" all over again of course.
Of course, the hapless Gordon Brown - our unelected "leader" has been
lumbered with this poisoned chalice by Blair, who always mananges to
get a seat in the lifeboat as ther ship is sinking.
Best wishes
David, G4EBT @ GB7FCR
Cottingham, East Yorkshire.
Message timed: 19:17 on 2009-Oct-22
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