When George and Dick get together to figure out which nation of opressed brown people they're going to bomb into the stone age they know well and good that the majority of the casualties are going to come from the lower echelons of our society...if Tad Buffy and Skipper all have to pull on a pair of BDU's as well...maybe a little more time will be spent on the diplomatic end of things.
Switzerland has had compulsory military service for years now...and they've been neutral for about as long...
That's the concept. But as Bill Clinton and Dubya taught us, there are ways to get out of serving in the trenches. If there were some guarantee it would work as it is theorized...sure...but once a law is on the books it's very easy for, say, a Republican Congress and a Republican President to create loopholes that the elite can slip through.
Except that history shows that the rich always find ways to shirk military duty, whether it's mandatory or not. I like the in-your-face sentiment of the proposed legislation, but it won't do a damn bit of good. Shrub and Dick will have their war no matter what anyone says and anonymous minorities and poor will fight amd die in it for them.
I agree...there's compulsory...and there's "compulsory" (although I personally don't have a problem with people who shirked Viet Nam).
Switzerland doesn't allow for many "loopholes": if you are physically capable-you serve. Not in the "Swiss Moose Mounties" either-you have to join a real branch and serve (although I guess the naval route is out).
Side note: The Coast Guard probably engages enemy fire more than any other military branch-due to the war on drugs-it'd be nice if we re-evaluated that too...
Anyway, I think we're missing this guy's point-I don't think he actually means to for the legistlation to pass, I think he's passing something in front of the American pubic that he knows will embarrass the Republicans. This is a guy who voted AGAINST the War referendum-wearing a liberal armband unabashedly!!!
I think everybody is really buying into the way the press is portraying this man as a clown. Yeah, I don't think compulsory military is going to solve the countries woes but at least this man is positing something. He's taking a stand and, as usual people are just pointing and sniggering.
As a liberal I'm going to try being a little less clever this year and a little more active (not at all trying to imply that you're not either of those BTW)
I can see why a lot of people WOULD find his line of reasoning objectionable. Viet Nam and the cold war changed the idea of military service from and honorable and necessary institution into something dark and scary. I don't. Almost everyone I know who has served in the military has been changed for the better....
I'm just frustrated with the direction we're going in and a lot of it has to do with others apathy (real or percieved).
Remember, though, that Switzerland has history, economics, and geography on its side. Neutrality is easier to maintain when it's to everyone's advantage that you remain so, and when conquering you would be much more trouble that it's worth. I have no reason to doubt the Swiss forces' capability and courage, as a whole or singly, but their mandatory service is likely relatively low-risk, and not likely to result in the Swiss disenfranchised and poor being sent off to jungles, oil fields, or a deliberately ineffectual war on drugs.
Here, I fear, Tad, Buffy, and Skipper will be downing espresso martinis in the Hamptons, while Tyrone and LaDonna get the camo jumpsuits and body bags. (Not that I blame Tad, Buffy, or Skipper in the least. Unless in 20 years Presidential Candidate Skipper tries to claim moral superiority over her opponent due to her high school ROTC service, in which case she needs a good whackin'.)
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...
o.O
Wow. That's cracked reasoning at its best.
YOU!
Eheheheheheheheheh Devilman...
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I'm so glad I'm not a guy. I'd rather go to jail than to boot camp. No, really. Fuck that.
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When George and Dick get together to figure out which nation of opressed brown people they're going to bomb into the stone age they know well and good that the majority of the casualties are going to come from the lower echelons of our society...if Tad Buffy and Skipper all have to pull on a pair of BDU's as well...maybe a little more time will be spent on the diplomatic end of things.
Switzerland has had compulsory military service for years now...and they've been neutral for about as long...
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Never underestimate the enemy. :)
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I'm not bitter. Much.
--sah
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Switzerland doesn't allow for many "loopholes": if you are physically capable-you serve. Not in the "Swiss Moose Mounties" either-you have to join a real branch and serve (although I guess the naval route is out).
Side note: The Coast Guard probably engages enemy fire more than any other military branch-due to the war on drugs-it'd be nice if we re-evaluated that too...
Anyway, I think we're missing this guy's point-I don't think he actually means to for the legistlation to pass, I think he's passing something in front of the American pubic that he knows will embarrass the Republicans. This is a guy who voted AGAINST the War referendum-wearing a liberal armband unabashedly!!!
I think he should get a medal.
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I think everybody is really buying into the way the press is portraying this man as a clown. Yeah, I don't think compulsory military is going to solve the countries woes but at least this man is positing something. He's taking a stand and, as usual people are just pointing and sniggering.
As a liberal I'm going to try being a little less clever this year and a little more active (not at all trying to imply that you're not either of those BTW)
I can see why a lot of people WOULD find his line of reasoning objectionable. Viet Nam and the cold war changed the idea of military service from and honorable and necessary institution into something dark and scary. I don't. Almost everyone I know who has served in the military has been changed for the better....
I'm just frustrated with the direction we're going in and a lot of it has to do with others apathy (real or percieved).
Thanks fer lettin me bitch.
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Here, I fear, Tad, Buffy, and Skipper will be downing espresso martinis in the Hamptons, while Tyrone and LaDonna get the camo jumpsuits and body bags. (Not that I blame Tad, Buffy, or Skipper in the least. Unless in 20 years Presidential Candidate Skipper tries to claim moral superiority over her opponent due to her high school ROTC service, in which case she needs a good whackin'.)
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What is this man doing in Congress? He needs to be in an insane asylum.