Conscription

[Kay]

Does anyone agree with me that this should be brought back? If nothing else,it will sort "The men from the boys" and hopefully rid us of all the yobs who mug,injure,joyride etc.The same applies to girls who act like this too.

[FP]

I can see why you feel like this FINA, but no I don't think it would be right to bring it back.   I do not feel that it is justified to enlist unwilling people to be ready to fight in wars that should never happen, ie. Iraq.

 

Also I do believe in individual freedom to choose. 

 

What I do feel would be better is to bring Parenting back, along with the values which have gradually disappeared over the last four decades.

[MrsCheeks]

Thank you thank you thank you!!  I thought I was the only one who thought National Service was a good thing.

 

National Service does not just mean going to places like Iraq .... it gives a sense of pride in serving your Country at HOME as well as overseas.  It also teaches good trades that benefit you in Civvy Street, helps develop social skills (oh yes, you learn a LOT of diplomacy in HM Forces) and if nothing else think of the team building skills you would acquire.

 

I have 3 children and if they re-introduced Nat Service I will happily wave them off to serve their time.

[cheyenne]

unfortunately these people have the freedom to choose between beating innocent people to a pulp on a friday night for kicks?the courts should have the right to put these people in an army enviroment say for six months and if they reoffend 2 years national service.

[FP]

No convincing me.  Living near a forces base until it closed recently, I have seen just as much bad behaviour from the base personnel as from all the other yobs. 

 

I think our whole society is corrupt and I don't think bringing back National Service in this day and age will make an iota of difference.  I certainly wouldn't like to see a child of mine join the forces. 

 

I haven't yet witnessed any yobbish behaviour in any of the friends and acquaintances that my son mixes with.  Why should they be expected to do national service?

If people wish to serve their country in this way, then it should be through choice.  There are plenty of other ways to be of use to people.

 

< P>I

 

[Lindy Loo]

I would agree with the idea, (sorry FP!). Even my youngest of 17 has said it would be a good idea for young offenders!!

If this was brought back it may help restore self disipline, respect and regard for others and their property, respect for authority, and maybe the caring, community spirit of days gone by, plus get the sh*tes to do something useful for a change!!

 

Come on Tony think about it!!

[FP]

Having said all that, Vinny,  I do think there should be stern punishment for the jobs and thugs - just not National Service!  

[FP]

We posted at the same Lindy!    I genuinely feel quite strongly about this issue.  Why punish (and yes it would be punishment for some) some people for the wrongs of others.  National Service takes no account of people's rights to choose.  I personally, do not feel that I should have to stand by my country's leadership, if I do not respect or agree with that leadership.

[FP]

error:  posted at the same time!

[Kay]

Thanks for your views, FP I have 3 sons. One got involved with yobs and became one himself doing untold damage plus drugs and I wished to God that constcription was in.He also knew a teen girl who broke into her grans home( 79 years old),tied her up,gagged her and punched her then took her purse Why? to buy eggs for halloween.This little lady had 2 months community service.I would vote to bring back conscription anyday. 

[smudge]

I personally agree with National Service for the same reasons as MrsCheeks & lindy loo.

 

However, I also agree with FP. Our Courts are far too lenient with the yobs of today. A much firmer approach in the the first instance of crime, would possibly act as a good deterrent! So come on Mr. Blair do something about it now, before it is too late!

[Philtaz]

I've always been in favour of National Service, though as an ex serviceman I'm biased on that.  Excellent point by Fakeplastic as well though, parental responsibility is now a joke to many in this country.

 

I'm for NS because before I joined the Army I will admit to being the biggest, most idle waste of space imaginable.  I would just be getting out of bed as my father came home from work at 2 p.m. then I'd mope around the house whilst he mowed the lawns etc.  He told me to my face when I joined up that I wouldn't make it because of the traits I was so used to showing.

 

This did spur me on when I felt like leaving after 2 weeks and I stuck it out.  The Army gave me confidence, discipline, pride in one's appearance, taught me the value of true friends, respect for others, team spirit, fortitude, comradeship and the ability to be self reliant when the need arose.

Without blowing my own trumpet you don't often see these qualities displayed by the Playstation Generation that seem to gather outside the local shop of an evening, thinking it's 'kewl' to verbally abuse anyone who passes by.

[smudge]

Good on you Philtaz!

[Peter Pedant]

For chrissakes all of you!

what is conscription for?

You  get someone and put them in the army for a year or two and then throw them out. What is that meant to do ? The army is not there as an employment agency, it is there to er - kill people

pacify Iraq (which everyone agrees needs a lot of pacification)

and blindly carry out Blair's orders

The function of the army is NOT to educate or re-edcuate wayward young men

I am sorry that FINA has had trouble with her offspring. Wishing them on the army is not the answer

 

[FP]

My biggest point here is why should perfectly OK young people be conscripted just so that the yobs, etc. can be corrected.  Is that really fair?

[FP]

Actually reading Peter Pedant's answer, If I understand him correctly, he is saying much the same as me, albeit using stronger tones.

 

The forces are their for a purpose.  People who join the forces should be aware of that purpose and willing to act accordingly.  It should not be used as a reform system.

[FP]

error 'there for a purpose'!

[Toffee]

Fakeplastic, sometimes I am grateful that you back me up, but sometimes you infuriate me, but we won't fall out over that. I happen to think that war in Iraq was warranted but I will agree that the reasons given were not the real ones. I have always said that the real reason we went to war was regime change and that was justifiable. I have been discussing this on e-mail with some German anti-war friends and we have agreed to differ and stay friends. I still think that getting rid of SH was  essential for the good of Iraq