[wEvil]

http://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/12/29/mandatory.military/index.html

[Anaz]

grrrr....I don't like the whole concept of mandatory military service...

*grabs molotov cocktails and protest sign*

[Knight Templar]

Only if the Bugs invade..

but until then, I'll only join the army when and if I damn well want to.

[Shrike]

Originally posted by wEvil
http://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/12/29/mandatory.military/index.html

Aren't you in Britain?  And as a briton, the US implementing universal military service will have little to no impact on your life?

Besides, this will never fly.  The US repealled the draft, they're not about to reinstate it.  Typical Democrat idiocy.

[Deepblue]

Originally posted by Shrike
Typical Democrat idiocy.

[mikhael]

I'm all for mandatory public service. It shouldn't be restricted to military duty, though. After all, there's a hell of a lot of other things that need to be done in this country besides train for war. I believe that Germany lets you pick between military service and civil service, though I am not clear on the details.

Even if this bill isn't put in with a "pacifist" clause, I'd still get behind it. It isn't a draft. A draft implies, by definition, a selection of a subset from a larger set. This is compulsory federal service. IE, the whole set is taken in its turn.

Besides anything else, career-civilians in this country need some motivation and discipline. A few months with some drill instructors and a few years serving their fellow citizens should go a long way toward providing such motivation and discipline.

[wEvil]

provided boot camp doesnt kill them

[Levyathan]

Does mandatory military service include weapons training? For everyone?

[Deepblue]

Congratulations you have just earned...

for dangerous ideas.

[Levyathan]

Who? Me?

[Deepblue]

Uh oh we're freshly out. Umm got any pocket lint on you?

[Shrike]

Originally posted by mikhael
Even if this bill isn't put in with a "pacifist" clause, I'd still get behind it. It isn't a draft. A draft implies, by definition, a selection of a subset from a larger set. This is compulsory federal service. IE, the whole set is taken in its turn.

No, this isn't a draft.  It's worse.

The draft was normally a fairly small selection of people, and was random to boot.  This would force everyone to spend time in the military.

Conscript soldiers are almost invariably inferior to volunteers, because they don't want to be there.  Given the choice of spending 2 years in the military or two years getting on with post-secondary education and a career, I know which I'd choose.

Plus, on a purely practical level, it's asinine.  The US military is already bigger than it needs to be, what the hell are they going to do with another 2+ million people?  The trend in militaries now is small, professional forces, there's no need for million-man armies in the current political climate.  Where's the money going to come from?  Where are they going to train?

[Knight Templar]

Originally posted by Levyathan

Does mandatory military service include weapons training? For everyone?

Ala Encarta

Milatary

1. of war or armed forces: relating to matters of war or the armed forces

Armed forces.. would imply weapons, so i think so. Don't quote me on it though.

[Blue Lion]

I wouldn't mind it that much

[Levyathan]

Originally posted by Knight Templar
Ala Encarta

Milatary

You should urgently buy a new encyclopaedia.

[Anaz]

Originally posted by Levyathan


You should urgently buy a new encyclopaedia.

I really don't think the definition of military has changed recently...so KT should be fine for now

[wEvil]

Originally posted by Blue Lion
I wouldn't mind it that much

Origionally posted by An0n

*Smack*

[Zeronet]

I think the US's 360(around 320-380) billion dollar defence budget might cover the costs.

[diamondgeezer]

So... by forcing more and more people to join the army, the potential for conflict is... reduced?

Heh, only in America

[Zeronet]

One of the things i wanted to be once, was a Riot Policemen, so i could bash some hippies.