In response to criticism from the Royal British Legion and the head of the Army soldiers serving a six month tour in Iraq or Afghanistan are expected to recieve a £140 council tax or rates rebate. This will be paid for out of the existing MOD budget. The same budget that for some reason finds it very difficult to stretch to things like flak jackets or have enough serviceable helicopters to supply the front-line.
What was life like for children of political activists during the Troubles? A new book by Bill Rolston and published by Guildhall Press during the summer has collected together the stories of twenty Children of the Revolution whose parents’ activities – and in many cases, imprisonment – had a significant affect on childhoods and life [...] read our review »
A moment of some significance in journalism perhaps, as the New York Times reviews the current talked about book, The Wrong War: Grit, Strategy, and the Way Out of Afghanistan by Bing West. The author is no bleeding heart but a former assistant Defense Secretary from the Reagan era who stomped his way round the Afghan [...] read our review »
Here’s a great review of a fascinating book (H/T reader Rory) on how the Internet is destroying our capacity for intelligent, focused and critical thought. It opens thus: …here is the news that Ulin brings in this slim, meandering book: that reading is “an act of contemplation”; that such an act becomes more difficult in [...] read our review »
Who cares? Still behaving like animals I note.
The elephants were said to be displeased by low-flying helicopters
British soldiers training in Kenya have been accused of frightening wildlife.
The soldiers, it is claimed, have been flying helicopters so low that they are scaring off the wild animals who live in the game reserves.
And game wardens in the Samburu district have complained that British forces are doing little to help the country’s conservation efforts.
Members of the First Royal Irish Regiment are undertaking training exercises in Kenya.
‘Illegal’ safaris
Just days after their arrival at Archers Post, about 100 miles (161km) north of Nairobi, they have been accused of illegally conducting their own safaris from the air, flying helicopters alarmingly low and scaring off the animals in the nearby game reserves.
A senior warden from Shaba and Buffalo Springs game reserves, Mohammed Tubi, said the soldiers had hovered low in helicopters above the parks for up to 15 minutes at a time.
The deafening noise had scared off elephant, giraffe and other wild animals, he said.
He added that if the soldiers wanted to see Kenyan wildlife, they should pay like any other tourist and come in by road.
I’m assuming the soldier’s families won’t be using any council services while their heroes are off in Iraq?
gram: I’m assuming the soldier’s families won’t be using any council services while their heroes are off in Iraq?
It’s a £140 rebate for a 6 month tour. If anything, it still looks rather mean. Especially since the council is still getting the money from the MOD anyway.