British serviceman's families sue Tony Blair

[Razor]

http://newsbox.msn.co.uk/article.as...ortlive&ks=0&mc=0&ml=ma&lc=en&ae=windows-1252

The relatives and loved ones of 10 British soldiers who died in the Iraq war are threatening to take Tony Blair to court to make him pay for their loved ones deaths. At first, i didn't agree with what they were doing as their loved ones made the decision to join the armed forces and upon making that decision, knew that they might have to make the ultimate sacrifice and give their lives in situations they might not agree with, but, i am definately reconsidering that opinion, i haven't changed it though.

For me personally, someone who is hoping to join the raf and hoping to go into front line or close to front line service with the raf in the humanitarian missions, the relief missions, the rescue missions and also the wars, if i was to end up making the ultimate sacrifice and die, i should hope my family realise that that is the choice i made and i died for something i believe in. But this is the problem i am having with my original opinion, did these serviceman really die for something they believed in or for a just war?


edit: i also know that there are other members of this forum who are in the armed forces, considering joining the armed forces, if you ended up dead in Iraq, would you want your families back home saying you died needlessly or suing Tony Blair or George W Bush?

 

[Direwolf]

While thats a valid question, I kinda have a hard time shaking the feeling that they're just trying to get attention with the death of loved ones. Thats hardly respectful.

As to the actual question, I think most soldiers think they're doing something good at some level, even if its just preventing their mates from being killed first. While their families would know better than we do on how they felt, I'd hate to see their death trivialized.

 

[Kangy]

...

I don't agree at all. You sign up for the armed forces, you take the risk of being killed in action. Just like being a stunt pilot. You take the risk of crashing and burning. I don't agree with the war myself, but there's just no justification for this.

 

[PickledGecko]

...

I don't agree at all. You sign up for the armed forces, you take the risk of being killed in action. Just like being a stunt pilot. You take the risk of crashing and burning. I don't agree with the war myself, but there's just no justification for this.

I think there is justification because when they signed up, they signed up to protect Britain and uphold international law. The war in Iraq had nothing to do with protecting Britain and was illegal under international law.

As far as I'm concerned, Bush and Blair are responsible for ever death, British, American and Iraqi. They are murderers in my book, and I hope they are found guilty. Unfortunately, as the saying goes "history is written by the victors", so it won't be until far in the future, when some historian studies this time, that people will realise the truth.

 

[Foxtrot]

I think there is justification because when they signed up, they signed up to protect Britain and uphold international law. The war in Iraq had nothing to do with protecting Britain and was illegal under international law.

As far as I'm concerned, Bush and Blair are responsible for ever death, British, American and Iraqi. They are murderers in my book, and I hope they are found guilty. Unfortunately, as the saying goes "history is written by the victors", so it won't be until far in the future, when some historian studies this time, that people will realise the truth.

They knew that there was a chance they would be sent out though.

 

[PickledGecko]

They knew that there was a chance they would be sent out though.

But their oath to fight, and possibly die, was given in good faith. Faith that the people in power would not exploit their devotion to their country by sending them to fight in a pointless waste of a war.

 

[Foxtrot]

But their oath to fight, and possibly die, was given in good faith. Faith that the people in power would not exploit their devotion to their country by sending them to fight in a pointless waste of a war.

So? They still knew that there was a chance.

 

[PickledGecko]

A chance they would die? Yes. But with a purpose that had something to do with the point of being in the army. You know, like protecting the British people or something. Not just death at the whim of Tony Blair. Many people are happy to die for a greater cause, I doubt anyone in the world, whether they be civilians or servicemen, would happily sacrifice themselves for no reason whatsoever.

 

[Foxtrot]

A chance they would die? Yes. But with a purpose that had something to do with the point of being in the army. You know, like protecting the British people or something. Not just death at the whim of Tony Blair. Many people are happy to die for a greater cause, I doubt anyone in the world, whether they be civilians or servicemen, would happily sacrifice themselves for no reason whatsoever.

No, they knew that there was a chance they might have to do some things they didn't want to do, or possibly fight for a cause they didn't believe in.

 

[PickledGecko]

No, they knew that there was a chance they might have to do some things they didn't want to do, or possibly fight for a cause they didn't believe in.

True, but within the scope of things relative to the British people. Thats why they're calles "Servicemen". Because they are to serve the British people. In the same way we have the "Emergency Services", like the police. Their job is to provide a service to the British people too. I would not expect a British police officer to die trying to stop a Bank robber in Kuala Lumpur, any more than I would expect a British soldier to die in a war that had no bearing for the British population.

 

[jondy]

This issue is a small facet of an immense debate.

But no, I don't think they should sue Blair. Although I can see where these people are coming from, there's a difference between fairness and justice.

 

[gh0st]

No its completely inappropriate to sue because they died.

 

[JNightshade]

As much as I'm opposed to this war, and to the people behind it, I'd have to agree with ghost on this one (first time for everything, eh?). The reason joining an army is such a big deal is that you quite possibly will die. When you join, you agree to risk that. And, (no offense to soldiers), members of the military are pawns in the simplest sense. They're there, not to do what's right, or to die for a cause, but to carry out their leaders' wishes. Personally, I can't stand the army, but I think these people have no grounds.

 

[Kangy]

Anyway, they're going after the wrong person. Their allegiance is to the Queen, not Blair. They're called Servicemen because they're serving her.

 

[Gunner]

I guess their life insurance policy wasn't enough huh?

 

[Direwolf]

Well I don't think they think they'd actually win. I doubt they think they'd even get to court. But they know they'd get in the papers.

 

[Kebean PFC]

This is stupid.

When you sign your name on the paper, you argee to fight and die for your country regardless as to where and why. Just becuase your families don't feel the war was justified does not alter the contract you signed.

This looks like a publicity stunt to me.

 

[Korgoth]

Yeah, the military forces have definately written down every thinkable clause in all the papers new recruits sign, just for such an occasion. Sadly, this will never see the light of day, no matter what proof to the contrary says this war was based on falsehoods, or lies.

 

[short recoil]

I hate people that sue, i will never sue anyone in my life and i don't want anyone to sue me.
If someone tries to sue me they will have a frozen chicken thrown at their head.
If i slip over on wet floor it is my own fault.
If i fall off steps when the rail breaks it is my own fault.
If i get food poisoning from food i buy it is my own fault.
If i Break my back from being crashed into it is my own fault.

 

[dys4iK]

Since when has war ever been in the service of the people? It's always a violation, and always an abuse.

If you join the military, you are joining a long history of these sorts of situations, and you should know it.

So, while I think the war is unjustifiable I also consider that people should be fully aware they will be screwed around if they join the military of government service (or anything in general, really).

 

[Direwolf]

I hate people that sue, i will never sue anyone in my life and i don't want anyone to sue me.
If someone tries to sue me they will have a frozen chicken thrown at their head.
If i slip over on wet floor it is my own fault.
If i fall off steps when the rail breaks it is my own fault.
If i get food poisoning from food i buy it is my own fault.
If i Break my back from being crashed into it is my own fault.

I wouldn't go that far. The system is in place for a reason. My uncle was involved in a long running suit with the installers of a car lift since they screwed up and he ended up having a vehicle come down on his head. He lost an inch and half of height in less than a second.

 

[short recoil]

I wouldn't go that far. The system is in place for a reason. My uncle was involved in a long running suit with the installers of a car lift since they screwed up and he ended up having a vehicle come down on his head. He lost an inch and half of height in less than a second.

Ummmm........that's his fault for using a car lift.
Did he check the car lift before using it?

 

[Direwolf]

He's a mechanic, so it's his job to use the lift day in a day out. I don't know all the specifics, but it was a structural failure on one of the parts. Not something you'd be able to tell ahead of time.

 

[Razor]

Anyway, they're going after the wrong person. Their allegiance is to the Queen, not Blair. They're called Servicemen because they're serving her.

The Queen is above the law.