Bring back NATIONAL SERVICE: Yes or No?

[Andy the Coastie]

Yes, As people like LAZY TWAT DIGGERRRR need a dose
No, NO, coz i am a UNI STUDENT or just about to leave and go on the Dole

[Lou]

I voted yes. I do believe that we should have a form of National Service. However, it probably isn't the same form that you are thinking of. I firmly believe that all young people should have to take time out to put something back into the country and this could be through National Service, either as armed forces service, or service in another sector such as environmental, healthcare or public service.

The idea would be to do some hard work, learn a little about life and also act as a recruitment drive for those services. This would apply equally to young men and women.

I also think that there is a place for a more traditional "hardline" National Service for those young people currently targeted by ASBOs and the like. Instead of a free rein to choose their service, they would be given the "opportunity" to "realign" their priorities in the armed service; maybe in special "Misbehaviour" units. These individuals, once assessed sufficiently reformed would then have to stay for an extended time in NS, doing aid work overseas under the flag of the UN possible?

Lou

[Frog]

After nearly 14 years working in school for little bast*rds (boys) bring it back. Serve 2 years minimum, teach them manners, respect and how to behave in the community, and with each other. I left beacuse of the staff, not the boys - maybe the staff should do National Service as well? Many of them were complete arses with the IQ of a carpet tile. If brains were cotton wool, the lot of them put together wouldn't have enough to make a tampon for a canary. If they took up cake decorating, flower arranging and origami, they'd probably find a way to make them dangerous. Total berks, the vast majority of them. Ahem. Rant over. May I have my toys back now please? The pond is rather bare without them... Dive safely.

[Andrew H]

i'm with Lou on this one. National service yes. Armed forces no. I did a stint with a conservation outfit many years ago, planting trees and building walkways. The problem with make or break training is the break bit! At the moment people who choose to go into the armed forces end up killing themselves, imagine if people who didn't want to go and couldn't cope were put through that. I'm sure we all know people who just would not be able to cope (we might not like them though).

Andrew

[Mdemon]

Originally Posted by Andy the Commie 2

Yes, As people like LAZY TWAT DIGGERRRR need a dose ...

Given Digger's outrageous sex life, if he hasn't already got a dose then there's no justice in this world...

[Martyn Ward]

National Service? Bollocks to that, say I!

Catch the little bleeders at an early age and sort 'em out good and proper!

Obviously you can't send them "darn't pit" these days coz Arthur was right, they've all been shut down. (back to the "claim to fame" thread, me and Liz's first house was just up the road from Orgreave where Arthur got bashed on the head. Good ehh?)

No, I reckon the Victorians had the right idea. Once they get to 4 years old, get 'em up a chimney! It'd stop them from living in London picking pockets for Jews for a start off. What good did that ever do, ehh? Mind you, Bill Sykes' dog had a telly prog for crap darts players named after him, so he made a few quid in royalties you'd think.

And another good idea they had was keeping their table legs covered up. Think how crime has risen since people stopped using table-cloths. And before some pillock like Lord Longford comes along with his "la-di-da Gunner Graham, you is not soldiers, you is a shower of puffs" University higher education rubbish, let me tell you that my dear old mum still uses fancy lace table-cloths and she's never been in prison once. Well, apart from visiting the rest of us that is!

Yes indeed, times are changing folks. At least Crayfish used to say "sorry" before they shot blind beggars!!

[Lou]

Martyn

I have no idea what you were driving at there!

Never mind. In addition to my previous post, I would like to add one thing that I had forgotten. I would have liked the opportunity/imperative to do some kind of National Service. I went to Uni in the early 90's and few people were taking years out as it wasn't quite understood how the market would take it and when I started Uni jobs were more scarce than they are today.

Those foreign nationals who I knew at Uni who had done some form of National Service had generally had a positive experience. Except for the guy who had to return to Syria every summer to spend a day bribing the right officals to get out of his!

Lou

[MATTBIN]

NS - maybe, what about for the parents. Discipline and morals start at home, its bloody hard work bring up children and too many people/parents shirk their responsibility and piss-off when it gets a bit hard or difficult. Knuckle down bulldog spirit and discipline the children at home, that way they would learn manners and care for others. Too much selfishness at home is reflected in the children, they need role models.
My daughter was a nightmare from 2 months to 19yrs, she's still hard work, she's 22. Its not a 5 minute job. Kids are for life just as much as a pet isnt just for Xmas.

Rant over.

Matt

[Helen F H]

Hmmm, national service. I think that a large number of kids grow up fine, and wouldnt benefit from national service a whole lot.

However, the little toerags that do stray off the straight and narrow - national service it is!

[Lee B]

Well said Matt it should start at home, although that national severvice would help. I was in the Navy from the Age of 17 for six years and all I can say is good things about my experience. However, my manners and respect where instilled in me at a much younger age by my parents. the forces just built on these.