Channel 4 tonight,Bin Laden: Shoot to kill

MovedtoBolton · 07-09-2011, 21:47

Despite the the title this is not a post relating to the rights or wrongs of the actions of the US government or Seal team 6. RatherI ask this:

Who is right in terms of pubilcising Special Forces operations?
America positively celebrates SF success with patriotic fervour whilst the UK government never comments on the activities of its SF teams.

Would Accy webbers prefer to know what the SAS, SBS, SRS & SFSG etc were achieving in the war zones we are engaged in (a la US policy) or revel in the mystique perpetuated by our "powers that be"?

Or indeed are we bothered either way?

Tealeaf · 07-09-2011, 21:54

Err..some of us remember the Iranian Embassy siege and the raid on Pebble Island in '82....the British press weren't exactly quiet about that. If the operation in Pakistan had been by UK SF's, you can be dam sure our tabloids would have had a field day over it.

MovedtoBolton · 07-09-2011, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

Err..some of us remember the Iranian Embassy siege and the raid on Pebble Island in '82....the British press weren't exactly quiet about that. If the operation in Pakistan had been by UK SF's, you can be dam sure our tabloids would have had a field day over it.

I take your point but your comments actually reinforce my question. It's the UK press who have a field day, often over egging the pudding with endless speculation. The programme on C4 had long pieces to camera from Barack Obama himself describing what went on on the ops room as they watched the live feed from a Predator UAV over the compound in Abbottabad. I can't imagine Cameron doing that!
I too recall the Falklands conflict ( I almost went and I'm glad I didn't) / the Embassy / Sierra Leone etc. but it wasn't the county that told me about it, it was the press and a few brave soldiers who have no doubt been censured for telling their stories.

Mancie · 07-09-2011, 22:38

Some of the programme looked more like an upcoming video game (and it will be out soon).
As for the media involvment the Yanks have a history of proclaming to the world that they are in control as far as weapons or special forces are concerned..they got it right when Reagan convinced the Russians that the USA had the capability to destruct missles in space.. LOL..and the ruskies fell for it!

Tealeaf · 07-09-2011, 22:50

I'm confused by what you're saying here:

1) Neither the British government nor the armed forces make available tactical dispositions or ongoing operations of special forces

2) Ditto: USA government and Department of Defense

3) Both governments make available limited post-operational details to the media

4) The UK & US press and TV then make the most of those details.

5) There is a difference in so far as there is no real US equivalent of UK tabloids (Sun, Mirror, etc). The nearest the US has is the nonsense given away or sold cheaply in their Walmart(ASDA) supermarkets which may well print the stuff alongside headlines such as 'Obama is a Martian' but no one there takes it seriously. If you therefore take the Sun/Mirror/Star/Mail stuff seriously, then please see a doctor.

accyman · 07-09-2011, 23:20

i dontthink we need our government to release details of what our special forces are up to as theres usually some muppet with a mobile phone and access to youtube or facebook willing to let us know

Mancie · 07-09-2011, 23:24

It's all rubbish...the the war against terror is being shown on the news from one angle but I don't imagine yer typical nutcase suicide bomber gives a toss about what the media report.

cashman · 07-09-2011, 23:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mancie

It's all rubbish...the the war against terror is being shown on the news from one angle but I don't imagine yer typical nutcase suicide bomber gives a toss about what the media report.

Silly sod, yeh will have the Human Rights Brigade on yer back,calling them poor suicide bombers.

accyman · 07-09-2011, 23:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

Silly sod, yeh will have the Human Rights Brigade on yer back,calling them poor suicide bombers.

correct

some own two goats which is considered a statement of extreme wealth

Tealeaf · 07-09-2011, 23:42

2 goats = 2 daughters & a spare wife.

Mancie · 07-09-2011, 23:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

Silly sod, yeh will have the Human Rights Brigade on yer back,calling them poor suicide bombers.

Well that would make a change from having the nutters on here that would shoot thier own children on me back

wadey · 08-09-2011, 13:08

They gave to much away but it was interesting, imagine what it must have been like when they were told that a helicopter had crashed