Snowmail: row over care of soldiers
Updated on 28 February 2009
The debate over how we treat soldiers returning from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan has reignited, writes Alex Thomson.
Britain's highest decorated serving soldier, Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry, awarded the Victoria Cross for saving the lives of comrades in Iraq, has been allowed to give a couple of remarkable interviews talking about post-traumatic stress and failings in the system designed to treat it, when soldiers come marching home.
Five years after he saved the lives of 30 colleagues in Iraq, braving intense incoming fire to do so, he says he cannot remember when he last got a good night's sleep.
His complaint is not so much with the army but what happens to many veterans once they've left. And he questions why soldiers are having to turn to charity for help.
That said, PTSD is notoriously difficult sometimes in terms of treatment and symptoms, sometimes not showing itself for months or even years after the trauma and even then, triggered often by an apparently random event.
Post office: part-privatisation looms
Gordon Brown told the Labour party (including as it does post office workers) in almost biblical imagery that his government would not walk on by and abandon them.
Unfortunately he then drove straight past their CWU protest picket this morning, in order to deliver the message that part-privatisation of the post office is the only option.
Brown remains adamant: you either bring in foreign management and part-privatisation, or you kiss goodbye to the post office. Analysts and the City appear to agree with that.
But the unions are angrily pointing at Sir Fred Goodwin and muttering about affording to bail out bankers.
In the sport
I went to see Will Carling this morning and over a cup of his finest coffee, he took apart English rugby union as he sees it.
In particular, accusing the game of a catastrophic breakdown of trust between RFU and clubs; a so-called salary cap system here that is a joke and simply doesn't work; and the complete mire of top English stars leaving to ply their trade in big-money France.
He advises the Ciprianis of this world not to go across the Channel because the really big dosh is in endorsements not salaries.
Play for England - stay high profile and sponsor baked beans or whatever - bigger money. Fascinating stuff and yes, we do talk about old farts as well.
Plus Emily has the round-up of all the day's main sporting action including on-field rugby matters of course.
