Paphos People

Looks like becoming a key issue in the elction campaign, with the Lib Dems being the first to suggest getting rid of it to save a large chunk of cash for the struggling economy.

Do people think this is a sensible idea, or does the UK need a nuclear capability to remain safe in an unstable world?

Can't they just get rid if but not tell anyone so still have the deterrent aspect without the cost??

The thinking on Defence now is to keep Trident for a number of years yet - it is already paid for, but disband the RAF where huge savings could be made because the Navy now has the UK's only Nuclear deterrant. The RAF haven't been engaged in air-to-air combat, "Dog Fighting" under complete RAF control since 1948 in Palestine. In Korea the RAF was under USAF command. In the Falklands the RAF flew Navy Harriers from RN ships thus showing the way forward. Jock Stirrup, RAF and Chief of the Defence Staffs has already indicated that this is the way things will go.

_________________
Clive of Payia

Sadly we cannot uninvent the nuclear weapon technology that already exists and as more and more less stable regimes or terrorist units gain either the technology or the facility to buy these weapons then I feel strongly we need to ability to deter any of these groups from trying to hit us.

Given our involvement in wars and disputes around the globe over the past 10, 15 or even 20 years I am sure we have made enough enemies who would have no qualms in setting off a nuclear device in the UK if they could do so. Many of these groups have no concept of "fighting fair" and would quite happily strike first and sod the consequenses.

Cheers

John

_________________
Never let truth get in the way of a good rumour.

I can't quite see the point of it these days. It was developed as a response to other countries developing their deterrent (i.e. the soviet block). Now we are all chums (sort of), and that threat has dissipated. The potential nuclear threat these days is by groups who have no defined geographical boundaries, so provide no specific "large area" target, rendering the nuclear deterrent useless against them.

As to potential nuclear threats from "new" nuclear countries, which would be small scale to say the least, does anyone really think we would obliterate them?

Scrap it, I say. The money (between £1 and £2 billion per year) could be better spent.

_________________
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. - Albert Einstein

We've given up almost every thing else that made us respected in the world ,giving up our nuclear deterrent wont make make a lot of difference..Any way we could always run scurrying to the US if some tin pot country threatens us..I'm old enough to remember when the great British bulldog had teeth.Pity the thought for Winston Churchill,he would turn in his grave if he new how his Great,,,,sorry Britain is today.
Another thought,with there being so many nationalities in the UK why would anyone nuke us?They'd be nuking their own people.Yes lets give it up and save some brass.

While I am pleased pops agrees with me, I just can't agree with his reasoning. However he did say:



You must be very old then pops, as the bulldog is about the most useless dog around, and has been for over 100 years. A quick check reminds me that, far from being the perfect dog, they tend to suffer from the following
Entropion
Eversion of nictitating membrane
Cherry Eye
Cataract
Keratitis sicca/ Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
Persistent pupillary membrane
Skin Acne
Demodicosis
Fold dermatitis
Folliculitis
Muzzle pyoderma
Pododermatitis
Elbow dysplasia
Elbow subluxation
Fragmented coronoid
Process osteochondrosis of the elbow joint.
Mouth and Jaw Abnormal Dentition
Cleft lip
Cleft palate
Elongated soft palate
Skeletal System Parosteitis
Short skull
Hip dysplasia
Spina bifida
Hemivertebra
Reproductive Vaginal Hyperplasia
Dystocia
Respiratory Stenotic Nares
Hypoplasia of Trachea
Ciculatory Arteriovenous fistula
Von Willebrand's disease
Mitral valve defects
Pulmonic stenosis
Pyloric stenosis
Miscellaneous Hypothyroidism
Hydrocephalus
Oligodendroglioma
Brachycephalic Upper-Airway Syndrome

No doubt someone will comment on the similarities, or otherwise, between the bulldog and the UK.

_________________
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. - Albert Einstein

Blimey Josef,,,I suffer from half of that lot

Perhaps we should have a competition to see if we can guess the right ones.

_________________
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. - Albert Einstein