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Army views please
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Beg to differ. If the rest of the population choose not to vote based on what ever view point, that is their right and probably their way of expressing a disinterest!
Personally I think its not right, but thats their choice. So although they may only have 31% of electorate they form the Govt. Unless we go to compulsory voting were not going to get anywhere on real issues.
However we have had an election since the Gulf War, and the party that took us to Iraq are still in power. It maybe 31% of the total electorate, but the percentage based on those that chose to vote alone is probably higher.
I think we are at risk of hijacking this forum and turning it into a political discussion.0 -
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Beg to differ. If the rest of the population choose not to vote based on what ever view point, that is their right and probably their way of expressing a disinterest!
Personally I think its not right, but thats their choice. So although they may only have 31% of electorate they form the Govt. Unless we go to compulsory voting were not going to get anywhere on real issues.
However we have had an election since the Gulf War, and the party that took us to Iraq are still in power. It maybe 31% of the total electorate, but the percentage based on those that chose to vote alone is probably higher.
I think we are at risk of hijacking this forum and turning it into a political discussion.
No, the figure was 31% of the "VOTERS", so we are being governed by a clear minority government, who do not represent the views of the electorate.0 -
It sounds like the mistake could have been a learning experience for him, so hopefully some positive will come from it.
Good luck to your son, whatever he decides to do. He would be a good example to certain posters on here that think that the govt owes them a living.
and joining the army isn't expecting the government to owe you a living, killing at the behest of the state?
that's all the armed forces is there for: to defeat the state's enemies. If people are quite happy to do that then we are never going to see peace in our world.
besides living in a capitalist state that expects people to pay into it, i think it quite reasonable to be owed a means to do that. people living here have no choice in participating within that system so it's entirely reasonable to be provided with a means to do so. if we didn't do that then there would be no jobcentres.0 -
that's a rather lazy excuse. people joining up know full well (and should be made aware otherwise) we are in two wars. choosing to fight in them is not serving your country, those are quaint notions we use to dress up the job of killing for the state. millions of people opposed these wars so i'm not sure who is being served anyway.Well vote the govt out then, don't bash the armed forces that operate within the legal framework, and under the direction of the Government, voted in by the electorate in a democratic election.
it's no good saying the army is just doing a job, that's just ridiculous and immoral. get some backbone. you're not a hero if you fight in an illegal war and kill people, youre just a killer. youre a hero if you show moral conviction to peace and justice in the world.
economic conscription is repugnant. joining the army, taking up arms against people (including the many thousands of innocent lives lost as a result of military invasion - never mind the efficacy of that invasion), and then blaming the government for the decision to invade is moral cowardice.0 -
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I joined the Army at 17 and was on Op Granby (Gulf War round one) at 17 and a half
for 9 months. I then went to Germany for 2 years and Northern Ireland for 6 months.
The Army gave me the dicipline i needed, but i felt i could give more and wasn't allowed an opinion ie the army give you a problem, but have to solve it their way without using any of your initiative.
Fast forward and having spent 4 years in the Army i left and joined the RAF and have never been happier. Treat like an adult, the opportunity to solve problems MY way and better pay and conditions.
A few lessons i have learned:
The army dig in, the RAF check in (the army live in the field whilst the RAF are accommodated in better accommodation, hotels etc)
We are the only force where we send the Officers to the frontlilne (pilots).
My point is, i would never stop my children doing what they wanted, but i would strongly advise:
They carry on with their current course
If this isn't an option:
a. Do not join the Army.
b. Join the RAF with a trade (possibly Officer too?)0 -
is that an argument for economic conscription?
From what I have read recently, the armed forces are very close to full capacity, largely due to the recession. This is an absolutely dire situation, that young men and women, very often living in the poorest areas of the UK, feel that joining the army is a good career move. The situation the US is very similar, with an extra twist. The US is offering passports to immigrants if they join the armed forces. Prior to this, the US was having to call on reservists as old as 50, because people were reluctant to join up.
Let us be quite clear about this, anyone who has joined our armed forces since 2003, must have realised that they were going to end up in a war zone, that means being shot at, and shooting at other people. How many of our politicians (UK and US) have sons and daughters serving in Iraq and Afghanistan?
We have choice, we do not have conscription, and it is up to every person to take responsibility for their own actions.0
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