I am absolutely all for bringing back National Service (NS). Why? I have heard it primary sources, Uncles, Granddads etc that it was the best thing that could have happened to them at the time.
An uncle of mine, up to the point of ‘conscription’, had lived his youth in a pretty lawless manner. You could have compared him to one the hoodies of today. He explained to me how NS really did teach him to respect, not just for authority, but each individual. He felt it put him on the right path in life. An individual case yes, but I have never heard from ANY person who went through NS then, against the idea of today’s youth serving.
It is a complicated issue. I do not think David ‘Shit there might be an election soon and we had no policies last week’ Cameron’s Citizens Service will be the answer in full. You can guarantee it will be a watered down policy that panders to the Rights ideals and public perception, but at the same time, won’t offend the PC or liberal brigade and I bet, critically, it won’t be compulsory.
What about home life and upbringing? Is it coincidental that a large number of the young twats today that get in to trouble are from one parent families? Am I having a pop at single mums? No, as I understand that there are reasons why that parent is single is the first place. Where’s the discipline and the family unit gone? How can that be restored? Carrot or the stick? Bit of both?
Leaving school to do nothing should not be an option. It breeds apathy, which turns to boredom, frustration and anger which is taken out on society – I am generalising here. One thing we need is more apprenticeships to sustain the young that are not academically minded.
On a side note, ‘bitesthedust’ mentioned earlier about the state education system in this country. I agree it does have its problems but look around. I have not seen or heard of so many schools being built in such a short space of time. Anyone over 30 will remember classrooms with buckets on the floor catching rain water! OK, we may have to pay for them for the next decade due to the public/private partnership costs, but facilities now are 1st rate in my opinion. Regarding the perceived dumbing down of exam papers; I have many of my original GCSE exam papers and have compared them to todays. I cannot understand how anyone can say they are getting easier. I looked at last years Maths paper for example and some of the content was what I did in my A level paper back in 1991. Just because the trend of good result has gone up year on year does not always signify government spin. I congratulate anyone who achieved good grades in their recent exams. Well done!
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Yeah lets put more money in the Health Service so when some poor bastard gets his throat cut by cowardly hoodies they can die surrounded by pen pushers.
It's not the government's responsibility to teach respect, nor should the government have the authority to impose any mandatory involvement against the will of its citizens.
The government can't say, "It's for your own good, so you have to do it."
The most it should be able to do is say, "It's for your own good, and we recommend it, if you should decide to do it."
The government can't say, "It's for your own good, so you have to do it."
The most it should be able to do is say, "It's for your own good, and we recommend it, if you should decide to do it."
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Music Man wrote: [/QUOTENAME]It's not the government's responsibility to teach respect, nor should the government have the authority to impose any mandatory involvement against the will of its citizens.
The government can't say, "It's for your own good, so you have to do it."
The most it should be able to do is say, "It's for your own good, and we recommend it, if you should decide to do it."[/QUOTE]
its a little off topic to say this but they were quick enough to do exactly that to the smokers in pubs and work places so why not to hoodie vandals?
The government can't say, "It's for your own good, so you have to do it."
The most it should be able to do is say, "It's for your own good, and we recommend it, if you should decide to do it."[/QUOTE]
its a little off topic to say this but they were quick enough to do exactly that to the smokers in pubs and work places so why not to hoodie vandals?
Because two wrongs don't make a right.
I was going to say we need another Vietnam to thin out their ranks but...there's Iraq, innit there? Naw, another war with an Asian country should do it.
Agent Orange, anyone?
Agent Orange, anyone?
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Music Man wrote: [/QUOTENAME]It's not the government's responsibility to teach respect, nor should the government have the authority to impose any mandatory involvement against the will of its citizens.
The government can't say, "It's for your own good, so you have to do it."
The most it should be able to do is say, "It's for your own good, and we recommend it, if you should decide to do it."[/QUOTE]
Not gunna disagree with you MusicMan...it's not the government's job. Parents should be doing it.
But guess what? They aren't.
So if they aren't doing it, and the parent's won't let anyone else do it either, what are the options? As society corrodes away from a lack of respect for the rules and values of that society, should everyone just stand around and do nothing? Sure society can help a little...but that doesn't always work (see the guy the hoodlems shot). When worse comes to worse, it is the government's job to defend the country. Sometimes, that could mean defend it from itself just until the rest of the country wakes up and figures out what the heck it's doing wrong.
The government can't say, "It's for your own good, so you have to do it."
The most it should be able to do is say, "It's for your own good, and we recommend it, if you should decide to do it."[/QUOTE]
Not gunna disagree with you MusicMan...it's not the government's job. Parents should be doing it.
But guess what? They aren't.
So if they aren't doing it, and the parent's won't let anyone else do it either, what are the options? As society corrodes away from a lack of respect for the rules and values of that society, should everyone just stand around and do nothing? Sure society can help a little...but that doesn't always work (see the guy the hoodlems shot). When worse comes to worse, it is the government's job to defend the country. Sometimes, that could mean defend it from itself just until the rest of the country wakes up and figures out what the heck it's doing wrong.
The thing is, it's also not the government's responsibility to shape society. That is certainly crossing the line, giving the government far more power than I would like to ever see.
Insofar as justice goes, the government can punish those who break the rules. If young people disregard and disrespect the rules, they will be punished - if and when they break them. The government can't (rather, it shouldn't) make people follow the rules - but it can and should punish them when they break them, if the laws are just.
In the end, those who lack respect are the losers, as it is a very important part of succeeding in one's career, community, and life.
Insofar as justice goes, the government can punish those who break the rules. If young people disregard and disrespect the rules, they will be punished - if and when they break them. The government can't (rather, it shouldn't) make people follow the rules - but it can and should punish them when they break them, if the laws are just.
In the end, those who lack respect are the losers, as it is a very important part of succeeding in one's career, community, and life.
Yeah, posting in this thread wasn't exactly working for me.