nunoncastors

There are moments, occurring all the more frequently now, where I am genuinely ashamed of what our nation appears to have become. Previously I’ve never felt any particular pride in being British; but then I’ve never been ashamed either, embarrassed occasionally, but never ashamed. I’m too aware that this nation where chance spawned me has given the world a thousand reasons not to feel ashamed. Then again, I’m aware that it’s taken as much as it’s given. As such, I’ve never really come down in either camp. I’m not an apologist, wringing his hands over slavery, nor am I a jingoist who thinks the world would be better off if the Empire had never crumbled. I’m realistic about the merits of the land of my birth and that, when you come down to it, it’s just a patch of land where a people live.

Politicians though, are a major cause of shame, because they represent us and, so far as I can tell, they’re mendacious bastards who lack even a modicum of decency and indulge in the sort of childish games you see in playgrounds. I don’t pretend to understand politics, but it seems to me that money still makes the world go ‘round and for all their platitudes, cash and kickbacks still win the day. As it was, so shall it be.

For example, children are apparently achieving the best grades ever in GCSE’s and A-Levels, yet it seems to me there’s more mouth-breathing idiots loitering about on street corners and in parks than there ever was when I was one of them, and that’s a source of shame too. I visit Europe a lot because I love to travel and, while I realise that the grass is greener, in comparison our cities seem dirtier, our public services worse and, honestly, our population significantly more unpleasant. I’m yet to be threatened by a gang of Belgian twelve-year-olds while sitting in a park for example.

Still, these things can be dealt with. By and large you can ignore politicians and get on with your life; when required, you can stand up and inform the gang of youths that if they don’t fuck off you’re going push their eyes out the back of their heads. What you might have difficulty with, and what really grates on me, is the inherent lack of respect and courtesy that appears to be endemic.

Airmen told ‘no uniforms in city’

Now, I don’t understand what kind of tiny-minded moron you have to be to abuse someone who, should push come to shove, would risk their own life to keep yours safe, but it appears that they’re out there. I can understand not approving of war, god knows I don’t, but we live in a world where they’re still prevalent and armed forces are a sad necessity. I’m all for people being lefty tree-huggers, detached from reality, it’s as valid an existence as any other, but there needs to be a bit of give and take.

Personally I think it’s all too easy for civilians to sit at home and judge, to accuse a uniform of being a baby-killer and lose sight of the reality that serving your country can come at the highest price. After all, politicians start wars, not servicemen, and the man you just spat bile at is simply doing his job.

There’s something I wonder about all those that vent their spleen at the armed forces, namely, what exactly have they ever done for their country? I suspect that the answer in most cases is nothing, except maybe leech from the state.

I’m no patriot, far from it, and jingoism leaves me cold. I don’t think there’s a part of me that would respond to any form of national pride, but I take my hat off to anyone willing to risk their life in service to their country. I certainly wouldn’t, I suspect you wouldn’t either.

Not that anyone in Peterborough has a right to judge mind you. I mean, Peterborough. Have you ever been? It’s a fucking hovel.