Let's wait until they're found guilty first, eh?

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/British-Soldiers-Quizzed-After-Bar-Brawl-In-Lanzarote/Article/201002215545494

it says they have been on routine training exercise never knew they was a british base on that island

hi...though I dont condone people getting injured in pub brawls....lets take away the fact they were soldiers.....these bars sell alcohol and the more they sell the happier they are....people who go to these bars go to take advantage of cheap alcohol and because its cheap they drink more....people under the influence of alcohol are braver and less inhibited and the normal constraintes of concequences are caste off drink by drink.....what was probably originaly a simple straight forward argument between a barman and a drunken young man over a bottle of wine ...was probably turned into a full scale brawl by other customers who under the influence of alcohol got involved.....this is a senario played out on a regular basis and well publicised in the press ....where the situation involves volotile young men violence is usually the outcome ...

These men were soldiers on a training exercise...probably on a few hours leave.....probably going on active duty after their training had finnished.....no matter how brave and proud a young man they may have been....in their mind they must wonder how many more good nights out they would get in life....I for one in their shoes would be very angry if what could be one of my last was being spoiled....and alcohol doesnt pick and choose its victims

The bar selling the alcohol must share the blame....a soldier is trained and conitioned to act in a calm measured manner during a battle......and does this without thinking....but they dont serve alcohol on a battle field

Everyone that drinks alcohol is responsible for their own actions. The British have enough problems with the man in the street getting into trouble through alcohol fuelled problems. When the servicemen start doing this as well, the country really does have problems.
It is inexcusable IMO. They are like anyone else in a position of authority. The are ambassadors for the country and as such should behave accordingly. If they can't control themselves, in public, they should not be allowed to wear the uniform. They are highly trained in attack and defence skills and as such need to know their limits.
If found guilty I hope the full weight of the law will be used in an appropriate manner.

the soldiers in question had not actually been drinking in the restaurant mentioned,vaca loca is a family run grill,not a bar,they went in and were abusive to the owner who asked them to leave,they then attacked him,his staff ,customers and the police who turned up to arrest them! nothing can condone this! drunk or otherwise!

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Many thanks
David HT Mod

Always the same in the British Press, and any press to think of it. "British soldiers in Drunken Brawl". Funny why you never see, "A certain supermarket worker in drunken fight" - "A certain office worker collapsed in street"

So, how would anyone like it if they were named along with their company, "Fred Blogg of Any Office Supplies seen collapsed in street after drunken night out.

Nothing condones drunkeness or fighting but why do the British press and some members of the public jump on the band wagon when they are soldiers.

Perhaps because we feel they would be setting a good example?

I am not condoning their actions. What does it matter that they are soldiers, sailors, airmen, bank teller or even a factory worker, how would you feel if after a night out, getting drunk, being sick in the road or even fighting etc. It ended up with members of the press and/or public braying for you to get sacked.

When I was in the Army there were occasions when I was the wreath bearer behind the coffin on the gun carraige carrying my MATES who I had shared a joke with less than a hour before their deaths, young men who I still remember 55 years later.

We must not pre judge.

P.S. When in Majorca last April I mentioned Brits and Drink to a bar owner, he laughed and replied "We feed them booze, they make us rich".

I do not condone violence but none of us was there.

Well they all pleaded guilty and where shipped back to the UK last weekend.

hopefully the end of this nightmare.

Keith

18 months supended for two year and a big fine each and most like will be court marshalled on a disonarable discharge