Mrs Gentles abd her daughters inane ramblings will change nothing, she has been used as a pawn by the usual elements and nothing will come of it. When her son was recruited he had a choice to go or not, she also had her chance to halt the process as at the time the chances of going to war with iraq were very high but she may not have noticed as her grasp of the goings on outwith glasgow is obviously very poor.
Her son was as well trained as the bulk of the soldiers who deployed there and he was in the company of some of the finest soldiers and officers in the army. His death was unfortunate and its an occupational hazard that soldiers face everyday. Do they agree why they are sent ? some dont but when you join the army you cant pick and choose which wars you fight so its time to let this soldier rest in peace stop using him as a political tool soldiers cringe when they see these family members being used in this way.

I think you'll find that many young men's only chioce of earning a living is to join the British army or be unemployed.
The same can be said for many areas not just in Scotland but the rest of the UK where there is no work.
The whole piont of Rose Gentles argument is that Blair lied about going to war.
What did her son die for?
I don't think Rose would be arguing that case if she thought the war was worthwhile.

Whatever Fife's problems are, it is not the Bronx. It is not the Detroit slums, or backwater Virginia. There are other options. Fundamentially, the Army is about killing people. You have to do more with a sleek gun than hold it. The Gentle family would have been aware of this fact.

I am deeply sorry that they are grieving for their son, but have to ask why they about-face in their opinions of the Army. He joined... if I remember correctly... after 11/9 when few of us doubted there was going to be military action. One week basically approving of the Army's role; next week vociferous opponents of it. What changed? Well, they killed our Johnny.

I have said as much to people canvassing of the Gentles' behalf. They should be politely, but firmly told to be quiet. It's like asking muder victims' families what to do with the culprits.