11th September 2001

As the world remembers the heinous acts of terrorism conducted by extremists in the United States ten years ago, they remember the tremendous loss of life of those in American Airlines flight 11, United Airlines flight 175 and the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York.  No less significant and equally as tragic were the crashing of American Airlines flight 77 into the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia and the attack foiled by the brave passengers of United Airlines flight 43 which crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

These attacks rocked the western world and beyond.  Witnessed by millions of people around the globe, terror attacks that had previously been the purview of fiction writers unfolded before our eyes.  Even the most harden amongst us were affected; cascading emotions tearing through us as we watched, with horror and unbelief, the greatest loss of human life in a coordinated terrorist attack.

That day changed the lives of millions of people.

The ramifications of that day changed the face of the Earth.  Not just the heartbreaking scar in the middle of downtown Manhattan, but the balance of power in Asia and the Middle East.  That day, ten years ago, would lead to governments misleading their countries, lies and ultimately, two bloody wars.

The attacks changed my life profoundly.  Although I lost no friends in the attacks against the World Trade Centre, I lost colleagues in the Pentagon.  What I didn't know, at that time, was that it was going to cost me a lot more.  Much, much more.

Although my first deployment to Afghanistan was tinged with excitement, I was also acutely aware of why I was going and what I would be called upon to do.  I knew that the death toll in America was only the start.  We were going into Afghanistan for one reason: to kill the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden.  I was going to do my duty as my superiors demanded and the most chilling part of it was that I was looking forward to it.  I wanted to reap death and destruction upon those that had the audacity to carry out such craven attack on America.  I'm not even American!

I lost many friends and colleagues during that war and the deaths haven't stopped yet.  So far there has been around 380 British troops killed in action and around 1762 US troops killed.  One of the most significant death was that of a dear colleague killed by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) planted by a Taliban insurgent or, worst still, a local Afghan for a few American Dollars.  Although accustomed to death (several tours in Bosnia showed me the horror of death and the depths of depravity that mankind can sink to), the death of this friend shook me to the core.  This was someone I had trained and convinced to change trade (their original trade would have kept them away from any harm) because it was more challenging.  I regret that conversation and it still haunts me to this day.  As a result of my convincing them to change trade, I had put them in harms way and gotten them killed.

The war in Iraq was something I was completely against.  So much so that I had heated arguments with my superiors and stated that we were breaking International law.  I was aware that the evidence that supported our involvement in Iraq was exaggerated and I was furious when I was informed that I would be going there.  Although I may have disagreed with my government, I was a soldier and I did follow orders.  My arrival in Kuwait and subsequent battles into Iraq sickend me and the slaughter of ill equipped troops only fueled my anger.

As with Afghanistan, I lost several colleagues in Iraq.

That day in September 2001 had led me down this path in which I had little or no control, but it wasn't all bad.

During my career I have always worked closely with the American military.  My deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq led me to develop new friendships with some amazing people.  Although predominately American, I also made new friends with soldiers from France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Italy, Germany, Holland and even Romania.  We all had a lot in common and there was always mutual respect for each other, even with the French!!  However, it was the Americans that I became closest to, partly because of work and partly because I have always enjoyed the warm way they treated the British.  I made some close friends and have very fond memories of these people that, in all honesty, made my tours that much more bearable.  As a result of my working with the American military, I decided that I wanted to retire to the US!  Unfortunately, unless you have a ton of money, it is very hard for a British Citizen to live in America for more than 3 months.

The 11th of September 2001 changed the lives of many people.  It was a tragic day in our history but one that will be remembered always.  The sadness of that day is not just restricted to the many deaths and destruction in America.  It is extended to those service personnel who paid the ultimate price for their Country and as a consequence of that day.  That sacrifice continues but is sometimes forgotten.

Ten years on and the world remembers that fateful day.  I can recall the day perfectly.  I also remember the pain and anguish as a result of the consequences tempered by the friendship I found in comrades and allies.  As I write this I remember lost friends and the new friends I made during that time of conflict.  I hope they remember me and I hope they remember all that we fought for.

I hope everyone does.

Top Gear Madness

Let's face it, I've been an avid fan of Top Gear for many years now.  Of all the motoring programmes that I watch it is, by far, the most entertaining.  Some critics have argued that it isn't really a motoring programme but just an entertainment show.  In the past I didn't always agree, but recently the show has gone a little weird.

For starters, it does tend to review the most expensive cars money can buy.  Not that I don't like looking at beautiful supercars and, occasionally, the odd hypercar.  I bet that every single one of the viewers dream of owning one of the cars that are reviewed, I know I do.  Who wouldn't?  It's only a dream, though.  There is no way, unless I win the national lottery, that I will ever have the money to waste on one of the above mentioned cars.  Notice I said 'waste'.  To spend that kind of money on a car that just goes fast and looks good is an extravagance.  They are, at best, impractical and totally unsuitable for daily use - unless all you want is to show off!

Let's not get distracted by petty details.  Top Gear is there to entertain us.  The antics of the three presenters is one of the key points of the show; their interaction with each other and the differences in their personalities is what makes the show entertaining.  Jeremy Clarkeson is the older, brash (typical for someone from Yorkshire!) and somewhat dim-witted of the trio.  James May is the usual butt of their jokes and is supposed to be the more sensible one.  Finally, Richard Hammond is supposed to be the anchor to the current generation with his dress sense (?) and his understanding of current technology.  In the real world, these three would never be together.  Their disparate personalities would constantly clash and cause instant fallout!  In fact, during several episodes it looks as if exactly that has happened!

That clash of personalities is what makes the show funny.  As individuals, they each have their unique sense of humour.  Clarkeson has always had a dry and sarcastic wit.  He was at his peak several years ago; he could identify with situations and come up with a hilarious parallel.  Unfortunately it seems as if his reservoir of sarcastic wit is running dry and he is digging deep just to come up with something that we cringe at.

Hammond, once the cool, collective member of the trio has become the fool.  Although not quite as mad as Clarkeson, he doesn't fall far short (no pun intended).  Between the two of them they manage to lower the tone of any conversation and, to be honest, that's exactly what most of the viewers want.  Maybe because I am older and wiser I no longer appreciate it as much as I used to.

James May.  He is the outsider of this trio.  Considered a little extravagant by the other two, he doesn't live for pure speed and power, although technically he has driven at the fastest speed in a normal road car.  He is Captain Slow due to his naturally cautious nature and his healthy respect for living!

Together, these three make the show what it is.  It's not a car show although it does feature cars.  It's Sunday night entertainment featuring cars.  It has comedy, impressive visuals and a star guest who has to be questioned by Clarkeson.  Not too bad if the guest happens to be male, but if it is a good looking female, the disgusting visage of Clarkeson trying to flirt is enough to make anyone feel sick!  That notwithstanding, it's popularity has continued to grow as it's entertainment value is appreciated by more and more people.  Even Sony has included the 'Top Gear Track' in it's latest incarnation of Gran Tourismo.

There is another unique member of the Top Gear team; the Stig.  A sexless (although usually male), unidentifiable figure dressed in a white racing suit and helmet.  The Stig is intentionally surrounded by mystery and this caused an outrage last year when the former Stig identified himself, breaching his contract and instantly becoming a pariah to the many Top Gear fans.  Fortunately, a new Stig was born during the making of the Top Gear Christmas Special 2010.  In true Top Gear fashion they threw tradition and religion to the winds and rewrote the nativity.  It was well made and entertaining.

That sums Top Gear up.  It's entertaining even if, sometimes, the presenters themselves are completely idiotic.  It has already gathered large following and the mysterious Stig even has a cult following.  It does show us some pretty cars and the reviews are completely biased, so pay them no attention and just enjoy the car on display.  As a motoring show it is rubbish, but we already knew that.  I think the original intention was a motoring show, but along the way it got sidetracked into what it has become today.  It's obviously a success as it is shown around the world and enjoyed by millions of people.  It's not a serious show and it doesn't take itself seriously.  Neither should the viewer.  Just enjoy it as a bit of fun.