There is never a justification. Never.
There is a good argument to be made that everyone could devote a small part of peacetime to acquiring habits and skills that might one day become life-savers, writes Mary Dejevsky
Absolutely not. National service – conscription – call it what you will. Use whatever fancy arguments you like, but it boils down to one thing – enforced servitude. There is never a place for this under any circumstances. It is always morally wrong. We do not belong to the state. We owe the state nothing. It has no right to our bodies or our lives.
The state is not your friend and it never will be. I’ll be damned if I will let it conscript me. Okay, so I’m too old now, but I felt the same when I was of that age and nothing has happened to change my mind.
At one time we had a way of life that was worth fighting for. Not that this changes the original argument but the ‘none of the above’ government that we now have isn’t worth picking up arms to defend.
I would rather be treated by a willingly trained first aider rather than a conscripted oaf.
Especially one who has complied with all the Government’s latest edicts on acceptable attitude.
Can’t read the link because Indy want three quid, good luck with that.
Good luck with getting me to fight for ‘democracy’, ‘our values’ and so called ‘rules based society’ as well.
Family, friends and self preservation are the only things left worth fighting for.
use 12ft ladder and paste in the link
https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Findependentpremium%2Fvoices%2Fwar-russia-ukraine-national-service-b2133441.html
Cheers
The rich and powerful won’t allow me to own even a handgun to protect my family, my home and myself.
But if their interests are threatened, then I’ll be given a rifle and be expected to defend their interests?
No. Not happening.
“But think about how bad life would be if dictator X took over!”
“Yes. It would be terrible. I’d probably be facing high taxes, visits from the police for saying the wrong thing on Twitter and crap public services… Oh.”
Having spent a few weeks in the army for my conscription (back when it was still compulsory in France), I did learn 2 things: it takes ages to train someone to become a real soldier and a lot more means than were available. So conscripts would spend a lot of time twiddling their thumbs.
Thankfully, I managed to avoid it.
In principle I prefer the idea of an army comprised of citizens in service of their country rather than professionals in service of the state. Of course, the militia in the sense of that referenced in the second amendment was a volunteer army.
Volunteer armies are fine. In the right circumstances, I’d fight. I would never submit to conscription regardless of the consequences.
I hear tell the upper echelons of the Armed forces don’t want conscription either. They’d rather have fewer high quality recruits than every unfit, undisciplined and unwilling school leaver.