I've been looking for this for a long time now, well, not really actively looking but my interest was piqued when I read somewhere that a copy of this speech was framed and put up in the Oval Office by G.W. and it's been on my "look out" for list for a bit. This speech was given by one Lt. Col. Tim Collins to his men, the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment on the eve of Operation Telic, the British codename for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, them Brits are a little more understated when it comes to naming their Ops. Apparently it was completely off the cuff. I'd give my right arm to conjour up stuff like this.
"We go to liberate not to conquer. We will not fly our flags in their country. We are entering Iraq to free a people and the only flag which will be flown in that ancient land is their own. Show respect for them.
There are some who are alive at this moment who will not be alive shortly. Those who do not wish to go on that journey, we will not send. As for the others I expect you to rock their world. Wipe them out if that is what they choose. But if you are ferocious in battle remember to be magnanimous in victory.
Iraq is steeped in history. It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and the birthplace of Abraham. Tread lightly there. You will see things that no man could pay to see and you will have to go a long way to find a more decent, generous and upright people than the Iraqis. You will be embarrassed by their hospitality even though they have nothing. Don't treat them as refugees for they are in their own country. Their children will be poor, in years to come they will know that the light of liberation in their lives was brought by you.
If there are casualties of war then remember that when they woke up and got dressed in the morning they did not plan to die this day. Allow them dignity in death. Bury them properly and mark their graves.
It is my foremost intention to bring every single one of you out alive but there may be people among us who will not see the end of this campaign. We will put them in their sleeping bags and send them back. There will be no time for sorrow.
The enemy should be in no doubt that we are his nemesis and that we are bringing about his rightful destruction. There are many regional commanders who have stains on their souls and they are stoking the fires of hell for Saddam. He and his forces will be destroyed by this coalition for what they have done. As they die they will know their deeds have brought them to this place. Show them no pity.
It is a big step to take another human life. It is not to be done lightly. I know of men who have taken life needlessly in other conflicts, I can assure you they live with the Mark of Cain upon them. If someone surrenders to you then remember they have that right in international law and ensure that one day they go home to their family.
The ones who wish to fight, well, we aim to please.
If you harm the regiment or its history by over-enthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer. You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest for your deeds will follow you down through history. We will bring shame on neither our uniform or our nation.
[Regarding the use by Saddam of chemical or biological weapons] It is not a question of if, it's a question of when. We know he has already devolved the decision to lower commanders, and that means he has already taken the decision himself. If we survive the first strike we will survive the attack.
As for ourselves, let's bring everyone home and leave Iraq a better place for us having been there.
Our business now is north."
Copyright Tim Collins, 2003
Wednesday 11 July 2007
Tuesday 10 July 2007
That was me, ugh.
Some of my 2005 posts are cringeworthy. I sound so self-righteous and/or mushy my hair stands when I read past entries. But stand they will so my kids can see how silly dad sounded back in the day. It's hard trying to find a voice I'm comfortable with. I can't even decide why this blog exists. It started out as something to document EJ's birth and life but how do I frame my posts? Do I address EJ as you or in the third person? Of course once Number 2 and Number 3 comes along they'll get lumped in. Or do I record some of the world they are growing up in? Seems a waste to just write about them But I can do more, I can write about the world they are growing up in, I can give them a little glimpseI can write about a million things. I can't possibly cover every day and every event that transpires and the inherent bias that is me will shape my output even more so.
Meh, I can't even concentrate long enough to write a coherent piece.
Meh, I can't even concentrate long enough to write a coherent piece.
Monday 9 July 2007
07/07/07! Never to be repeated! Ever! (363 days to 08/08/08!)
Saturday, 07/07/07, a unique date which has manifested itself 6 times already, each time in a slightly different form no less and which will appear 5 more times before we're rid of the damned phenomena came and went. Despite the best efforts of 770+ couples locally and 150 music acts playing to an estimated audience of 2 billion people worldwide the planet grinds ever so remorselessly on it's path to a drop in internal core temperature.
Saturday morning brought with it a good old fashioned tropical thunderstorm, lightning and all. I know this because I had to fetch the wife to work. I imagine it must have played havoc with quite a few schedules and nerves but alas to my disappointment the storm abated after a bit and the rest of the day was pleasantly cool. I had such glorious visions of absolute chaos at the ROM. Dang it. Sidebar article on frontpage of 6th July's edition of ST was a story on the 700 odd couples who would tie the knot the following day and the usual inane examples of how numbers play an altogether too significant part in some people's lives. As for me, I'd just like to give a big shout out and Hello! to Mr. Sparks Ng of SIA! Must not...oh hell, /roflmao. Anyhoo, grats to the 700 odd couples who tied the knot on this very special, very unique day ya? Just you, your special other and 1,400 other people. Sparkingly! Twas probably a good weekend for Durex I'm betting.
Live Earth was the other highlight of the day. Well, for 2 billion other people anyways. Heavily tax households who have more than 1 car, tax vehicles which have big engines, bigger rebates for hybrids, make cycling a safe and viable form of transportation, put out more recycling containers in HDB estates, drop your secondary school going kids outside of the all boys school gate and let them walk in, they'll make it to their classrooms just fine I promise, and that's just in Singapore. I don't need convincing that global warming is real, oil interests and countries like China and India do. The US? Yeah, probably but in a generation what China alone will put out will make the US look like Greenpeace if nothing changes. And on a personal note. Fuck, like wearing green and showing solidarity with other tree-huggers-for-one-day while watching acts who waltzed in courtesy of private jets and police escorted tour buses will change anything. You doing anything different today from last friday on the green front?
Saturday morning brought with it a good old fashioned tropical thunderstorm, lightning and all. I know this because I had to fetch the wife to work. I imagine it must have played havoc with quite a few schedules and nerves but alas to my disappointment the storm abated after a bit and the rest of the day was pleasantly cool. I had such glorious visions of absolute chaos at the ROM. Dang it. Sidebar article on frontpage of 6th July's edition of ST was a story on the 700 odd couples who would tie the knot the following day and the usual inane examples of how numbers play an altogether too significant part in some people's lives. As for me, I'd just like to give a big shout out and Hello! to Mr. Sparks Ng of SIA! Must not...oh hell, /roflmao. Anyhoo, grats to the 700 odd couples who tied the knot on this very special, very unique day ya? Just you, your special other and 1,400 other people. Sparkingly! Twas probably a good weekend for Durex I'm betting.
Live Earth was the other highlight of the day. Well, for 2 billion other people anyways. Heavily tax households who have more than 1 car, tax vehicles which have big engines, bigger rebates for hybrids, make cycling a safe and viable form of transportation, put out more recycling containers in HDB estates, drop your secondary school going kids outside of the all boys school gate and let them walk in, they'll make it to their classrooms just fine I promise, and that's just in Singapore. I don't need convincing that global warming is real, oil interests and countries like China and India do. The US? Yeah, probably but in a generation what China alone will put out will make the US look like Greenpeace if nothing changes. And on a personal note. Fuck, like wearing green and showing solidarity with other tree-huggers-for-one-day while watching acts who waltzed in courtesy of private jets and police escorted tour buses will change anything. You doing anything different today from last friday on the green front?
Saturday 7 July 2007
Blast from the past
Göring: Why, of course, the people don't want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship.
Gilbert: There is one difference. In a democracy, the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars.
Göring: Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.
o In an interview with Gilbert in Göring's jail cell during the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials (18 April 1946)
Link
Gilbert: There is one difference. In a democracy, the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars.
Göring: Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.
o In an interview with Gilbert in Göring's jail cell during the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials (18 April 1946)
Link
Getting up to speed
Okay, so it's been a while, not like anyone missed me or anything. 2 years have gone by in a flash, the missus and I got ourselves a running (oh dear god does she run), jumping and one word blabbering 2 year old on my hands, a far cry from the very passive 3 month old the last time I updated. Never one to be stingy with her smiles and very infectious laughter as we troop into the house after a long day at work. We also have to contend with her temper when she doesn't get what she wants or when it's time for bed.
There are some worries about her language development as the few peers she has that we know of are already quite used to 3 to 4 word mini sentences while she's stuck using one word at a time, on balance, her motor skills seem fairly well developed and she's a great runner and climber so I guess we'll just have to wait and see a little longer. B1 and B2 are back from their overseas stints so the clan is back together again, EJ's grandparents are doing alright too.
Oh, we're expecting Number 2 sometime in November. Heaven help us. Seems like we just barely scratched the surface of getting a handle on EJ and now we got another one on the way to introduce sibling rivalry into the equation, to say nothing of that whole 3 feeds a night crap again.
Anyhoo, EJ's off to pre-nursery come next year. I have to say I was quite hesitant on sending her to school at such a young age when we made the decision earlier this year but as time passed it was made clear to me that we've come to a point where she needs more challenges and stimuli to order to grow and having an environment where there is some semblance of structure and an opportunity to interact with her peers seems like a nifty idea. Did I also mention that EJ's pretty good at repeating the names of objects we point out both in picture books and the real world? Like a parrot. Must stop cursing in the car.
Thursday 6 October 2005
Child of Our Time
It's 2003 and the children are 3 years old. Episode focuses on popularity.
Sweet Test
Child can either take 1 sweet immediately or a whole plate if they wait a while (use of timer). Concept of waiting and taking turns. Children who wait are more likely to be more successful in later life.
Omega 3
Fish oils have been proven to have a calming effect on children. Googling "fish oil" "child of our time" brings some interesting results
TV
Effects of television and the impact it has on children's behaviour. Monkey see, monkey do. scary shit
Sweet Test
Child can either take 1 sweet immediately or a whole plate if they wait a while (use of timer). Concept of waiting and taking turns. Children who wait are more likely to be more successful in later life.
Omega 3
Fish oils have been proven to have a calming effect on children. Googling "fish oil" "child of our time" brings some interesting results
TV
Effects of television and the impact it has on children's behaviour. Monkey see, monkey do. scary shit
Thursday 18 August 2005
The beginning of the end?
Gaza Strip - Something Paul Gascoigne used to wear when he played football.
- Two Cheers, BBC
Merkavas loaded with flechette rounds which are used against civilians, an organisation which convinces young men and women into blowing themselves up in sidewalk cafes and in buses full of civilians. Neighbours that have publicly declared they wanted to annihilate me, neighbours who routinely blow up suspected terrorists using Longbows, never mind if they got a few bystanders too. No white or black here, it's all shades of grey.
Midnight of 17 August 2005 marked the deadline set by the government of Ariel Sharon for Israeli settlers to voluntarily leave the Gaza Strip. Named after the main city in the area, it is home to approximately 1,300,000 Palestinians and 8,000 Israeli settlers, all snuggled up nice and warm on a piece of land 360 km². Well, it's not home to the Israelis anymore. Under a unilateral disengagement plan, all settlements in the Gaza Strip and 4 in the West Bank are to be closed down in addition to the military installations and personnel built to protect the settlements.
55,000 Israeli soldiers and police yesterday moved in on foot to remove the more hardcore of the 8,000 who had refused to leave voluntarily. Strengthened in numbers by people sympathetic to their cause, the settlers were still no match for the IDF. I had expected some violence and possibly gunplay but happily the latter did not materialize. The IDF clearly did it's homework and applied overwhelming numbers in order to encourage, cajole, order and finally physically carry out those who did not want to leave.
Of course, being called Nazis by your fellow Jews was probably something that didn't occur everyday to the soldiers and police involved in the operation. The BBC showed a clip of a group of girls wearing paper Star of Davids on their chest as they walked out of their settlement crying and wailing, a terribly low and cheap shot in my book. Playing around with the Holocaust like that just insults the memory of the event and is an all too common trump card used by too many Jews when painted into a corner (but that's another story). Other shots of men yelling at impassive soldiers were commonplace. And of course, there's that nutjob who dangled his baby boy out a window Jackson style. You'd have to be inhuman not to let it get to you and several men and women in uniform did break down. Soldiers who disobeyed orders to do their duty were promised court martials, damned if you do, damned if you don't. Still, it seems that by and large, the men and women of the IDF and police did a sterling job of getting it done. Of course, the cynic might ask where were the cameras and reporters when Palestinian homes were razed eh? It's not as if the IDF came in behind armoured bulldozers and shot first and asked questions later.
Symbolically, the withdrawal from the Strip by the Israelis is a milestone. The Israelis don't give up anything easy, especially land they grabbed way back in '67. Doing it unilaterally gives Sharon a lot of brownie points. Sacrificing the homes of 8,000 or so settlers is a small price to pay for gaining the moral upper ground, sort of, "there, now I've done my part, you (Palestinian Authority) do yours and stop all those terrorists running around your backyard". Which gives him all the more reason to blast them back past the Stone Age if the Hezbollah and company decide to start up again. Tack on to that, the money saved from maintaining all those military installations and the spare manpower that can be redeployed elsewhere, we got us a winner here.
What would be interesting would be to see what develops from here on. The West Bank is home to 230,000 Israeli settlers and that's a whole new ballgame from 8,000 baby. I can't remember the last time the Hezbollah blew up something or shot at someone, so someone somewhere must be doing something right, but what happens the next time they do? Too much blood has been spilled for things to go on as smooth as they have for this long a time. Witness the shooting to death of 3 Palestinians by a settler in the West Bank, what happens to people like him anyway?
- Two Cheers, BBC
Merkavas loaded with flechette rounds which are used against civilians, an organisation which convinces young men and women into blowing themselves up in sidewalk cafes and in buses full of civilians. Neighbours that have publicly declared they wanted to annihilate me, neighbours who routinely blow up suspected terrorists using Longbows, never mind if they got a few bystanders too. No white or black here, it's all shades of grey.
Midnight of 17 August 2005 marked the deadline set by the government of Ariel Sharon for Israeli settlers to voluntarily leave the Gaza Strip. Named after the main city in the area, it is home to approximately 1,300,000 Palestinians and 8,000 Israeli settlers, all snuggled up nice and warm on a piece of land 360 km². Well, it's not home to the Israelis anymore. Under a unilateral disengagement plan, all settlements in the Gaza Strip and 4 in the West Bank are to be closed down in addition to the military installations and personnel built to protect the settlements.
55,000 Israeli soldiers and police yesterday moved in on foot to remove the more hardcore of the 8,000 who had refused to leave voluntarily. Strengthened in numbers by people sympathetic to their cause, the settlers were still no match for the IDF. I had expected some violence and possibly gunplay but happily the latter did not materialize. The IDF clearly did it's homework and applied overwhelming numbers in order to encourage, cajole, order and finally physically carry out those who did not want to leave.
Of course, being called Nazis by your fellow Jews was probably something that didn't occur everyday to the soldiers and police involved in the operation. The BBC showed a clip of a group of girls wearing paper Star of Davids on their chest as they walked out of their settlement crying and wailing, a terribly low and cheap shot in my book. Playing around with the Holocaust like that just insults the memory of the event and is an all too common trump card used by too many Jews when painted into a corner (but that's another story). Other shots of men yelling at impassive soldiers were commonplace. And of course, there's that nutjob who dangled his baby boy out a window Jackson style. You'd have to be inhuman not to let it get to you and several men and women in uniform did break down. Soldiers who disobeyed orders to do their duty were promised court martials, damned if you do, damned if you don't. Still, it seems that by and large, the men and women of the IDF and police did a sterling job of getting it done. Of course, the cynic might ask where were the cameras and reporters when Palestinian homes were razed eh? It's not as if the IDF came in behind armoured bulldozers and shot first and asked questions later.
Symbolically, the withdrawal from the Strip by the Israelis is a milestone. The Israelis don't give up anything easy, especially land they grabbed way back in '67. Doing it unilaterally gives Sharon a lot of brownie points. Sacrificing the homes of 8,000 or so settlers is a small price to pay for gaining the moral upper ground, sort of, "there, now I've done my part, you (Palestinian Authority) do yours and stop all those terrorists running around your backyard". Which gives him all the more reason to blast them back past the Stone Age if the Hezbollah and company decide to start up again. Tack on to that, the money saved from maintaining all those military installations and the spare manpower that can be redeployed elsewhere, we got us a winner here.
What would be interesting would be to see what develops from here on. The West Bank is home to 230,000 Israeli settlers and that's a whole new ballgame from 8,000 baby. I can't remember the last time the Hezbollah blew up something or shot at someone, so someone somewhere must be doing something right, but what happens the next time they do? Too much blood has been spilled for things to go on as smooth as they have for this long a time. Witness the shooting to death of 3 Palestinians by a settler in the West Bank, what happens to people like him anyway?
Monday 15 August 2005
VJ day - 60 years on
TO OUR GOOD AND LOYAL SUBJECTS:
After pondering deeply the general trends of the world and the actual conditions obtaining in Our Empire today, We have decided to effect a settlement of the present situation by resorting to an extraordinary measure.
We have ordered Our Government to communicate to the Governments of the United States, Great Britain, China and the Soviet Union that Our Empire accepts the provisions of their Joint Declaration.
To strive for the common prosperity and happiness of all nations as well as the security and well-being of Our subjects is the solemn obligation which has been handed down by Our Imperial Ancestors and which lies close to Our heart.
Indeed, We declared war on America and Britain out of Our sincere desire to ensure Japan's self-preservation and the stabilization of East Asia, it being far from Our thought either to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandizement.
But now the war has lasted for nearly four years. Despite the best that has been done by everyone - the gallant fighting of the military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity of Our servants of the State, and the devoted service of Our one hundred million people - the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned against her interest.
Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should We continue to fight, not only would it result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization.
Such being the case, how are We to save the millions of Our subjects, or to atone Ourselves before the hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors? This is the reason why We have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the Joint Declaration of the Powers.
We cannot but express the deepest sense of regret to Our Allied nations of East Asia, who have consistently cooperated with the Empire towards the emancipation of East Asia.
The thought of those officers and men as well as others who have fallen in the fields of battle, those who died at their posts of duty, or those who met with untimely death and all their bereaved families, pains Our heart night and day.
The welfare of the wounded and the war-sufferers, and of those who have lost their homes and livelihood, are the objects of Our profound solicitude.
The hardships and sufferings to which Our nation is to be subjected hereafter will be certainly great. We are keenly aware of the inmost feelings of all of you, Our subjects. However, it is according to the dictates of time and fate that We have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is unsufferable.
Having been able to safeguard and maintain the structure of the Imperial State, We are always with you, Our good and loyal subjects, relying upon your sincerity and integrity.
Beware most strictly of any outbursts of emotion which may engender needless complications, or any fraternal contention and strike which may create confusion, lead you astray and cause you to lose the confidence of the world.
Let the entire nation continue as one family from generation to generation, ever firm in its faith in the imperishability of its sacred land, and mindful of its heavy burden of responsibility, and of the long road before it.
Unite your total strength, to be devoted to construction for the future. Cultivate the ways of rectitude, foster nobility of spirit, and work with resolution - so that you may enhance the innate glory of the Imperial State and keep pace with the progress of the world.
- Gyokuon-hōsō (玉音放送)
After pondering deeply the general trends of the world and the actual conditions obtaining in Our Empire today, We have decided to effect a settlement of the present situation by resorting to an extraordinary measure.
We have ordered Our Government to communicate to the Governments of the United States, Great Britain, China and the Soviet Union that Our Empire accepts the provisions of their Joint Declaration.
To strive for the common prosperity and happiness of all nations as well as the security and well-being of Our subjects is the solemn obligation which has been handed down by Our Imperial Ancestors and which lies close to Our heart.
Indeed, We declared war on America and Britain out of Our sincere desire to ensure Japan's self-preservation and the stabilization of East Asia, it being far from Our thought either to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandizement.
But now the war has lasted for nearly four years. Despite the best that has been done by everyone - the gallant fighting of the military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity of Our servants of the State, and the devoted service of Our one hundred million people - the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned against her interest.
Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should We continue to fight, not only would it result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization.
Such being the case, how are We to save the millions of Our subjects, or to atone Ourselves before the hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors? This is the reason why We have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the Joint Declaration of the Powers.
We cannot but express the deepest sense of regret to Our Allied nations of East Asia, who have consistently cooperated with the Empire towards the emancipation of East Asia.
The thought of those officers and men as well as others who have fallen in the fields of battle, those who died at their posts of duty, or those who met with untimely death and all their bereaved families, pains Our heart night and day.
The welfare of the wounded and the war-sufferers, and of those who have lost their homes and livelihood, are the objects of Our profound solicitude.
The hardships and sufferings to which Our nation is to be subjected hereafter will be certainly great. We are keenly aware of the inmost feelings of all of you, Our subjects. However, it is according to the dictates of time and fate that We have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is unsufferable.
Having been able to safeguard and maintain the structure of the Imperial State, We are always with you, Our good and loyal subjects, relying upon your sincerity and integrity.
Beware most strictly of any outbursts of emotion which may engender needless complications, or any fraternal contention and strike which may create confusion, lead you astray and cause you to lose the confidence of the world.
Let the entire nation continue as one family from generation to generation, ever firm in its faith in the imperishability of its sacred land, and mindful of its heavy burden of responsibility, and of the long road before it.
Unite your total strength, to be devoted to construction for the future. Cultivate the ways of rectitude, foster nobility of spirit, and work with resolution - so that you may enhance the innate glory of the Imperial State and keep pace with the progress of the world.
- Gyokuon-hōsō (玉音放送)
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