ACLU stands for American Civil Liberties Union / NRA Nation Rifle Association
I agree…that’s why I picked the NRA well above the ACLU.
The ACLU played a helpful role in the 50’s & 60’s civil rights movement defending these people, and we can’t turn our back on that. We have to give credit where credit is due." "But….that being said, what they have done in the past is completely eviscerated by what they do in the present, it’s totaly out of control now.
And to clarify, I’m calling enlightenment era (or otherwise) British officers “fags” nor am I disparaging gays in the service. In fact the Prussian soldier Baron Von Steuben, who laid much of the foundation US Army’s training and drill and ceremony, was strongly rumored to have been gay. He was also a brilliant officer and warrior…
I don’t think you’ll get much stranger than this. One of my favourite military oddities. The story, not the person.
“An incident is just now [1865] being discussed in military circles so extraordinary that, were not the truth capable of being vouched for by official authority, the narration would certainly be deemed incredible. Our officers quartered at the Cape between 15 and 20 years ago may remember a certain Dr Barry attached to the medical staff there, and enjoying a reputation for considerable skill in his profession, especially for firmness, decision and rapidity in difficult operations. The gentleman had entered the army in 1813, had passed, of course, through the grades of assistant surgeon and surgeon in various regiments, and had served as such in various quarters of the globe. His professional acquirements had procured for him promotion to the staff at the Cape. About 1840 he became promoted to be medical inspector, and was transferred to Malta. He proceded from Malta to Corfu where he was quartered for many years… He there died about a month ago, and upon his death was discovered to be a woman. The motives that occasioned and the time when commenced this singular deception are both shrouded in mystery. But thus it stands as an indisputable fact, that a woman was for 40 years an officer in the British service, and fought one duel and had sought many more, had pursued a legitimate medical education, and received a regular diploma, and had acquired almost a celebrity for skill as a surgical operator.”
http://www.lothene.demon.co.uk/others/barry.html
I would suggest the American usage of the term ‘Fag’ has a different meaning to the way we in Britain use it. Generally speaking, it’s just a slang term for a cigarette.
Tankgeezer states that we have little understanding of the U.S., but we probably have a clearer understanding of the U.S. than the people of the U.S. have of the British. Consider, we grow up seeing many of your most popular TV and film productions (and have done so for decades. We also see how these productions portray life here and, indeed, the British people - quite) and with satelite/cable we can pick up your current affairs and news programmes. Add to that that people travel, in both directions. So, their is contact and interaction at all levels of society.
By the way. I have to ask, what is a ‘Cockney geezer’ (Cockney being a person from east London and Geezer being cockney slang for a guy), presumably built like a tank, located in the U.S., doing defending Truth, Justice and the American way?
It makes sense, it was more of a “Man’s” world then than it is now. In just the same way women used to use male pen-names to have books published. How she managed to get away with it might be more obvious if we were able to see her physicla appearance and hear her speak. Some of the posturing peacocks of society of those times could probably have quite easily posed as women. Visitin the National Army Museum, Chelsea, London, and viewing some of the officers’ uniformms of that day, they appear to be rather slight and short in stature.
Nick’s reference was to the English public school system of fags, which held well past WWII.
32Bravo
Mate, try a space before the exclamation mark in your new officer’s signature.
“I’ll get my man to clean your kit!”
I read it initially as “I’ll get my man to clean your kill”.
I thought: How disappointing, the chap gets a pip and he’s become a savage. 
Yes. I noticed that, but considering all the talk of kilts I thought I’d wait ot see if anyone picked up on it. 
I should also put on my glasses before reading and responding.
True to the norm.
I really ought ot stop rushing.
I didn’t attend a Boarding School, but I was certainly familiar with being on the receiving end of that cane depicted on the link, and blood was drawn on more than one occassion, but we pupils accepted it as the norm.
Would this be the same norm that turns men into savages when they get a pip? 
No, it’s the Oirish in me that does that.
Spare the rod and spoil the child.
Fortunately, it’s offset by having an Anglo-Saxon mother.
One of my coleagues, Bev, has gorgeous, red hair. One day she was in a pub when an Irish fella approached her and said
“What beautiful red air you have, do yeh have any Oirish in yeh?”
“No!” replies Bev.
“Would yeh loik some?”
Ah, the language of love!
How little the dagoes know!
To get back on topic for a moment - before I wet myself.
We Brits set much store in our civil liberties and freedom of speach.
Traditionally, that which has become most symbolic of freedom of speach, in Britain, is ‘Speakers Corner’ in Hyde Park, London, where anyone can go, get up on their soapbox, and speak on any topic they wish without fear of arrest, tar and feathering (the police are there to protect th speakers but usually people walk away from mindless rantings) etc. etc.
http://www.icons.org.uk/nom/nominations/speaker-s-corner-hyde-park
Do others have their equivalent in their country?