Gagging the CDS
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Gagging the CDS
Over here in Canada, the Chief of Defence Staff, a somewhat outspoken chap called Rick Hillier, has been told to clear all future remarks with DND. This is in line with the new edict that ministers have to clear remarks with the control-freaky Prime Minister's Office, ostensibly to avoid gaffes.
Is it usual in UK/US/Aus Forces for the respective Chiefs to be "filtered" in such fashion? There is a lot of criticism from the opposition on this but a lot of those doing the criticising would be first in line to remind CDS that the military is subservient to civil authority if the Cons weren't in power (like when he called terrorists etc. "scumbags")
Is it usual in UK/US/Aus Forces for the respective Chiefs to be "filtered" in such fashion? There is a lot of criticism from the opposition on this but a lot of those doing the criticising would be first in line to remind CDS that the military is subservient to civil authority if the Cons weren't in power (like when he called terrorists etc. "scumbags")
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Our former CDS, Adm Boyce RN, did in fact speak out against the then SofS, Buff (t
at!). He was close to retirement, though. His line was that the Govt's pace of change was inconsistent with maintaining morale and fighting efficiency, and he said this at a press conference, standing next to Hoon! Buff was, by all accounts, apoplectic, and subsequently called all of the service chiefs (post-Boyce) to his office to tell them that if they dared to speak out against him he would retire them.
So it's not a whole lot better here!
at!). He was close to retirement, though. His line was that the Govt's pace of change was inconsistent with maintaining morale and fighting efficiency, and he said this at a press conference, standing next to Hoon! Buff was, by all accounts, apoplectic, and subsequently called all of the service chiefs (post-Boyce) to his office to tell them that if they dared to speak out against him he would retire them.So it's not a whole lot better here!
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History has judged Admiral Boyce far more kindly than "that **** Hoon".
The single-service (RAF, Army, Navy) corporate communications departments were recently merged into a one-stop MoD propaganda machine.
The single-service (RAF, Army, Navy) corporate communications departments were recently merged into a one-stop MoD propaganda machine.
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Reminiscent of a sketch from "It Ain't Half Hot Mum" when all the lads were lined up for the morning parade
"Sgt Major"
"Yus"
"Is it ok if I go to the toilet?"
"Certainly, but don't let me catch yer"!
Oh dear! very sad, never mind!
Windsor Davies for the next CDS
"Sgt Major"
"Yus"
"Is it ok if I go to the toilet?"
"Certainly, but don't let me catch yer"!
Oh dear! very sad, never mind!
Windsor Davies for the next CDS
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Admiral Boyce also contradicted the preceived wisdom of Donald as well as Jeff when he said the Iraq war (pre-invasion) would not be over by Christmas 03 and would drag on much longer.
Bollocks they said.
Bollocks indeed.
I wonder what he says to himself over the cornflakes every morning?
Bollocks?
Bollocks they said.
Bollocks indeed.
I wonder what he says to himself over the cornflakes every morning?
Bollocks?
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The answer is "yes" to the south of you.
The latest example was when the then-Army CoS testifed to Congress that an Iraq invasion would take 200K troops at least. This in spite of the different line spouted by our SECDEF and minions.
Said Army CoS's successor was named shortly thereafter, a year early. Not to mention that SECDEF did not go to the retirement ceremony. Poor form and an insult.
Wonder what Gen Shinseki says at his breakfast every morning? (And to his professional credit, he hasn't been a talking head on TV saying "I told you so!")
The latest example was when the then-Army CoS testifed to Congress that an Iraq invasion would take 200K troops at least. This in spite of the different line spouted by our SECDEF and minions.
Said Army CoS's successor was named shortly thereafter, a year early. Not to mention that SECDEF did not go to the retirement ceremony. Poor form and an insult.
Wonder what Gen Shinseki says at his breakfast every morning? (And to his professional credit, he hasn't been a talking head on TV saying "I told you so!")
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
BH,
or the USAF General who said 'we are going to bomb them back to the dark ages.' He got dismissed by Bush Snr and then the USAF proceeded to to exactly that.
The politicos just do not like straight talking.
The worst however is the military that try and talk political speak.
or the USAF General who said 'we are going to bomb them back to the dark ages.' He got dismissed by Bush Snr and then the USAF proceeded to to exactly that.
The politicos just do not like straight talking.
The worst however is the military that try and talk political speak.
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Blacksheep, without respect, bollocks.
Bollocks they said.
Bollocks indeed.
I wonder what he says to himself over the cornflakes every morning?
Bollocks?
Bollocks indeed.
I wonder what he says to himself over the cornflakes every morning?
Bollocks?
Has somebody found a new swearword they don't need to edit, Pontius Nav?
At your age too (tut)
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Originally Posted by Pontius Navigator
BH,
or the USAF General who said 'we are going to bomb them back to the dark ages.' He got dismissed by Bush Snr and then the USAF proceeded to to exactly that.
The politicos just do not like straight talking.
The worst however is the military that try and talk political speak.
or the USAF General who said 'we are going to bomb them back to the dark ages.' He got dismissed by Bush Snr and then the USAF proceeded to to exactly that.
The politicos just do not like straight talking.
The worst however is the military that try and talk political speak.
Agree with both your other points.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
The Rocket, I am a navigator; would you that I spoke of small oblate spheroids?
The previous word I used was also well used in Adml Boyce's circles.
The previous word I used was also well used in Adml Boyce's circles.
