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croberon
Barrack Room Lawyer
Joined: 21 July 2005
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 Topic: DC Stephen Oake - Sign The Petition Posted: 06 January 2009 at 9:19pm |
Originally posted by FingersmuldoonYou know my thoughts on this....
Far too long in coming, but oh so deserved.
 Fingers 
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Spiders are the most successful terrestrial predators on earth.
One minute your crawling along; next minute splat!
cosmophasis umbratica fluoresce
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Fingersmuldoon
Class I (Fighter Command)
Joined: 06 October 2005
Location: Canada
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 Posted: 06 January 2009 at 9:14pm |
You know my thoughts on this....
Far too long in coming, but oh so deserved.
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No longer a holder of the Queens Warrant.
Estimated emigration countdown: Im Here !
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newBeatboy
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Joined: 11 November 2006
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Posts: 433
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 Posted: 06 January 2009 at 6:47pm |
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Well at least he's been honoured for his sacrifice, even though it took so long. As one who signed the petition I am pleased that it has been awarded at last and a wrong righted. His wife and family are delighted.
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So all you really got to do
is just-a move you little feet
And just-a rock-a to the beat
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Stan Still
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Crown Skivvie
Joined: 04 September 2005
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 Posted: 06 January 2009 at 6:32pm |
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Why did it take so long?
When you consider that people who did quite well in the last Olympics (and the one before that) without losing their life or saving anyone else's have had their gongs almost immediately, it seems as if DC Oake's medal was a bit of an afterthought.
I think it would have honoured his memory more to have been awarded the medal sooner after his death.
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The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder.
You're Nicked!
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Maverick22
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Brian Winner 2008
Joined: 30 July 2005
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 Posted: 06 January 2009 at 7:59am |
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Some good news at last for DC Oakes family. Blair denied it was anything to do with him, I remember him saying that an awards committee decided who should receive medals, not him, and that it wasn't his place to tell them who to award medals to. He went to the memorial service for the officer, but only to gain publicity and too look good in the eyes of the public. A bigger two faced man you would never find. At least some justice has been done for Oakes family, even if he didn't get the medal most wanted for him.
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Light travels faster than sound, thats why some people appear bright, until they open their mouths. A Chicken crossing the road, poultry in motion. .
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M&MBM
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Sheep Rescue Award
Joined: 22 November 2006
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 Posted: 06 January 2009 at 7:44am |
And let's not forget...
An unnamed detective sergeant, who was also at the scene and who was stabbed twice as he attempted to assist Det Con Oake, was also awarded a Queen's Commendation for Bravery.
and
Also receiving awards were two police constables from West Mercia Constabulary who were awarded Queen's Commendations for Bravery for tackling a gunman.
Pc Richard Gray, 43, a father-of-two, was shot dead when he rushed to the aid of two unarmed colleagues taken hostage by a man armed with a rifle on an estate in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, in 2007.
At the same incident, Pc Matthew Crisp provided cover while his unarmed colleagues escaped before directing other officers to the scene.
Edited by M&MBM - 06 January 2009 at 7:44am
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MOP, Joker & reformed character. Honest. I moderate with purple prose
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M&MBM
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Sheep Rescue Award
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 Posted: 06 January 2009 at 7:37am |
Well, it's not the George Cross, but
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MOP, Joker & reformed character. Honest. I moderate with purple prose
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OldAfricaHand
Barrack Room Lawyer
Joined: 28 July 2006
Location: South Africa
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 Posted: 11 April 2007 at 3:57pm |
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How true, Fingers'. Are you going to send thius to Bliar - so far I've not had a response to the email I sent in reply to the original 10 Downing Street response. But, then , I don't really expect to get a reply - after all, I am not anyone who can do anything for Bliar - I'm simply a citizen and an elector!
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Brian - I used to be indecisive, now I'm just not sure!
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Fingersmuldoon
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 Posted: 11 April 2007 at 2:22pm |
Well, I have given a lot of thought about what I was going to say in response to Mr Blair's refusal to do anything about this.
I am absolutely disgusted by the way that Mr Blair and his colleagues have basically dismissed this. It is obvious that the masters of spin can see no way to gain any political kudos out of this situation, therefore it must not be worth bothering with.
A number of thoughts run through my mind when I think of this sorry state of affairs.
Would things have been different if DC Oake were not a police officer.? Would he have been considered for such an award if he had been a member of the public who intervened in such a similar situation with the same devastating consequences?
Would things have been different if Bourgass were not a terrorism suspect? At a time when 'Islamaphobia' seems so prevalent I cannot help feeling that, just maybe, Mr Blair and his colleagues had this at the back of their minds when considering the award.
It actually makes my blood boil when I think that our elected representatives can write off the life of a member of the police service as not being worthy of recognition after they have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
A police service that is sworn to protect the Queens peace and uphold the law.
A police service that continues to do this whilst those they seek to bring to justice are increasingly arming themselves.
A traditionally unarmed police service that has had to deal with domestic atrocities committed by people within our own society who are hell bent on the mass murder of British citizens.
Without the dedication to duty of officers such as DC Oake atrocities committed by the likes of Bourgass would be far more common place. The award would have been as much a recognition of their selfless dedication as it would have been to the actions of DC Oake on that fateful day.
One thing I can say, Mr Blair. Regardless of whatever decision you and your colleagues make, I for one will always hold on to the memory of DC Oake and the sacrifice he made. I will always be proud to have served in the same force as DC Oake. I will always feel privileged to have attended his funeral and to have paid my own respects, no matter how small, to this brave man. And I am proud to have at least been a thorn in your side, a little irritation of sorts, for the past few months.
And I will never forget how easily you and your colleagues drew a line under this episode and failed to give recognition to a person who gave their life protecting the citizens of the UK.
Weird Beard is right, I might have got a whole lot further if I had a whip round and 'bought' DC Oake an award. Fortunately I, unlike many I could mention, have some morals.
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No longer a holder of the Queens Warrant.
Estimated emigration countdown: Im Here !
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Penbwlch
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 Posted: 06 April 2007 at 10:21pm |
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OAH. Very well put and much more politely than he deserves. Please let us know the result, if any.
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I used to be conceited. Now I'm Perfect
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exmetskipper
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 Posted: 06 April 2007 at 10:08pm |
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Oah ...... nicely put ....... seems that there are plenty of lolipop lady's and 92 year old Fish and chip shop workers getting MBE 's nowadays ....seems to be an injustice when placed in this context doesn't it ???
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OldAfricaHand
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 Posted: 06 April 2007 at 10:05pm |
I have today sent the following e-mail to Mr Blair; it took me a couple of drafts before it was polite. I will be interested to see if I get a reply.
Dear Mr Blair
I note with dismay your decision not to take action to reverse the ill-considered decision regarding the award of the George Cross to DC Stephen Oake.
I am uncertain about the composition of the "non-political" committee that makes decisions on bravery awards - are the members elected representatives of the public or civil servants?
In an attempt to "democtratise" the Honours system some years ago, the decision was taken to allow individuals to nominate deserving people to receive honours. The decision to refuse the petition seems to be a contradiction of this "democratisation" insofar as, I believe, over 7000 people signed this particular petition.
You will shortly be leaving office and you will be permitted to nominate individuals for honours which will have a life-long impact on close colleagues and friends. The award of a posthumous George Cross to DC Oake would have provided no material benefit to his family but it would have been some small recognition that the British Public appreciate the sacrifice that DC Oake and his family made for society-at-large. It would also have been a signal to the British Police service that the pressures and dangers of their work is recognised.
I am not a Police Officer but I did give 27 years service as a member of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary, where I came to understand the challenges and dangers facing Police Officers every day.
I have to say, Prime Minister, that I am very unhappy that you have not seen fit to take some personal action in this matter. Frankly, your stock would have increased had you done so.
Yours sincerely
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Brian - I used to be indecisive, now I'm just not sure!
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Graham
Barrack Room Lawyer
Brian Winner 2009
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 Posted: 06 April 2007 at 8:33pm |
Originally posted by Weird BeardGraham you didnt actually expect Bliar to tell the truth did you ??
Have you been up all night drinking cough medicine again ???.
I wanted to emphasize by my post just what a barefaced liar he is.
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We all make mistakes. Even monkeys fall out of trees... but often only after they've tried scratching their butts with both hands.
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Weird Beard
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 Posted: 06 April 2007 at 9:01am |
And makes me about as sick as one !!!
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Reality, a state of mind created by a lack of alcohol.
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Traffic Rat
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 Posted: 06 April 2007 at 8:59am |
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More spin than a Waltzer !!!!!
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NWMPG
Thousands of Cars and Wagons pass me every day, DON'T be one of the few that get my attention
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Weird Beard
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 Posted: 06 April 2007 at 8:54am |
Graham you didnt actually expect Bliar to tell the truth did you ??
Have you been up all night drinking cough medicine again ???.
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Reality, a state of mind created by a lack of alcohol.
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Graham
Barrack Room Lawyer
Brian Winner 2009
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 Posted: 06 April 2007 at 8:23am |
Mr Blair is not telling the truth about all applications for honours being vetted by an independent quango. He can nominate people to receive honours. He can send a list of his 'recommendations' to the Queen. He will have an opportunity to do that when he leaves office this summer.
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We all make mistakes. Even monkeys fall out of trees... but often only after they've tried scratching their butts with both hands.
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Weird Beard
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 Posted: 06 April 2007 at 8:08am |
Pen, thats where fingers went wrong instead of having a petition he should have had a whip round and bought a medal or other such honour DC Oake.
I have never seen such a bunch of self serving ba***rds as this present government.
I would rather crawl 3 miles over broken glass with my tongue stapled to my knee whilst balancing a bucket of molten lead on my back than vote for these pompous, lying, two faced, cheating fu***rs.
And Mr Bliar if you have a problem with that see my earlier post.
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Reality, a state of mind created by a lack of alcohol.
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Penbwlch
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 Posted: 06 April 2007 at 12:00am |
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Same here. It is so insincere and patronising.
He seems to be able to arrange honours for those that give money to the Labour Party funds all right. He obviously couldn't care less about the rest.
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I used to be conceited. Now I'm Perfect
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Graham
Barrack Room Lawyer
Brian Winner 2009
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 Posted: 05 April 2007 at 11:49pm |
I've just read the reply from Tony Blair & I'm genuinely feeling ill after reading it.
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We all make mistakes. Even monkeys fall out of trees... but often only after they've tried scratching their butts with both hands.
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