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View Full Version : OT: Gurkhas get resettlement rights!

Raellus
05-21-2009, 07:20 PM
It's about time!

I'm watching PBS World Focus and they just reported that "retired" Gurkhas have been given the right to apply for settlement in the U.K.

I've been a Gurkha fan since my dad told me stories about them as a kid. I even played one in a short-lived T2K campaign.
Abbott Shaull
05-21-2009, 07:57 PM
Intersting.
natehale1971
05-21-2009, 09:17 PM
in one of the campaigns we had... one of the players PCs was a Gurkha, really enjoyed the hell out of that game. :)

And we had a Gurkha NPC who as the 'batman' of an older, 'retired' British officer (we called him the 'Brigaider' since that had been his old rank when he retired... and looked like Sean Connery as he appeared in 'The Rock' and 'The Hunt for Red October').

Does anyone have some good Gurhka reference pictures?
Targan
05-21-2009, 11:04 PM
Agreed. About bloody time.

There have been two very popular characters in my campaign who were Ghurkas, one a PC and the other an NPC. Both tough as nails. I know Ghuarkas wouldn't be all that common but my campaign has been going a looooong time.
TiggerCCW UK
05-22-2009, 12:42 PM
Thankfully common decency has won out in this case. I have nothing against immigrants coming to the UK, but I did think it was wrong that all europeans were welcomed with open arms, but people who had served in HM forces but didn't come from europe were unable to come and live in the UK. Thats not well worded, but its hard to discuss immigration without sounding like a fascist. Hopefully people will get my point and not think that I'm massively right wing.
Rainbow Six
05-22-2009, 03:42 PM
Thankfully common decency has won out in this case. I have nothing against immigrants coming to the UK, but I did think it was wrong that all europeans were welcomed with open arms, but people who had served in HM forces but didn't come from europe were unable to come and live in the UK. Thats not well worded, but its hard to discuss immigration without sounding like a fascist. Hopefully people will get my point and not think that I'm massively right wing.

I would echo Tigger's statement...on the whole I'm comfortable with the UK's immigration process, but it was obviously seriously flawed when it came to the Ghurkas, and that flaw has now rightly been dealt with.

Ultimately, if someone is prepared to fight and potentially die for this country, then that person should have the right to live in this country when they have completed their service.
Targan
05-23-2009, 11:06 AM
Ultimately, if someone is prepared to fight and potentially die for this country, then that person should have the right to live in this country when they have completed their service.
Retired French Foreign Legionairres get to live in France on Legion-owned estates don't they?
Rainbow Six
05-23-2009, 11:22 AM
Retired French Foreign Legionairres get to live in France on Legion-owned estates don't they?

I think you're right. I think any Legionaire who completes a certain number of years' service is automatically entitled to French citizenship as well, which would give them a French passport, which means they could then live anywhere in the EU.
Abbott Shaull
05-23-2009, 11:58 AM
Thankfully common decency has won out in this case. I have nothing against immigrants coming to the UK, but I did think it was wrong that all europeans were welcomed with open arms, but people who had served in HM forces but didn't come from europe were unable to come and live in the UK. Thats not well worded, but its hard to discuss immigration without sounding like a fascist. Hopefully people will get my point and not think that I'm massively right wing.
Yeah that was just silly, having people who willing served in your military and then the best you would do after wards was send them home. Wonder how they treated those who had been injure so bad, that they would have trouble with employment later. Hmm.
Littlearmies
05-27-2009, 02:24 PM
Apart from the common decency of allowing these guys to settle in the UK after serving our country I have to confess to being highly entertained at watching Joanna Lumley (whom some of you may know better as "Patsy" from the British comedy show "Absolutely Fabulous") running rings around the British Government. She was obviously so much more intelligent and media-savvy than the clowns who govern Britain. And it was much easier for her as her cause was so manifestly just.

Her father had been an officer in the Gurkhas and she was an army brat in India when she was a child so it was obviously a cause from the heart for her. Having met her a few times (my company was involved with AbFab) I can't help feeling she probably saw the humour in a comedy actress taking on and beating the MOD and Prime Minister.
TiggerCCW UK
05-27-2009, 05:07 PM
Did you see her dictate govt policy live on the news? :)
Littlearmies
05-27-2009, 05:48 PM
Did you see her dictate govt policy live on the news? :)

I know - someone should edit the various newsclips together in order and post it on YouTube as a "how to" for activists.....

"1) Find commonsense just cause with overwhelming public support and get a photogenic popular celebrity to help represent you.
2) Lead Government into position where you can ......."

It would be better comedy than AbFab ever was :D