NI Number talk

Originally Posted by Ed

I'd sign up and fight

First off, I'll confess; it's late, I'm resorting to Stella as a sleep aid and it's not working

Ok, Ed, I'm going to pick a fight with you now First off, you're too old to fight. Sorry mate. But you are. As such, machismo is hollow Replace "I'd sign up and fight with a Rambo smiley" with "I'll spoon feed my 20 year old kid for the rest of his life, wipe his **** and clean the dribble from his chin" for a real picture of war. It ain't so Rambo now is it?

I'm sorry if that was too harsh, I've been around long enough to get a feel for your opinions and respect your intelligence but I feel I have to argue against anything that I perceive continues the blind unquestioning devotion to war (that is, blind, unquestioning devotion to war when it's not you that's fighting but some meaningless school kid statistic - who gives a damn when he dies lonely in the desert, just so long as it's not me I'll happily spout patriotic bull poo).

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by MiniMatt

stuff

I would mostly agree, the pre-WW2 germany stuff you're right aye, but hindsight is always 20-20

I would disagree with "honour of your country" type fighting, what's the point...

Fight for survival, or possibly for a fee, but do that in someone else's war

[Biker Biggles]

When I was a kid I was close to my Grandad who had signed up at the start of WW1 with all his mates in the fit of patriotic fervour at the time.He fought in all the major battles and watched all his mates die.Somehow he survived it.I kind of agree with Mini Matt.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Bellerophon

Chris, search me out at the AR. I'll buy you a beer.

Ah f###. I've seen this thread in minimatts sig and I find I've missed out on a beer.

Originally Posted by MiniMatt

I love the Franklin quote and have probably used it myself in many threads Although I tend to use it in anti-Daily Express rants

In defence of pacifism as an ideal I'd say that you're looking at a short term viewpoint. Look at Indian independence and South African democracy - both are fights that were ideologically pacifist. Note that I'm not claiming that the "winning" sides were entirely non-violent by any means but their ideology was peaceful protest.

South African democracy now there's a good laugh...

Originally Posted by Jayneflakes

No matter what urban myths may be about on the subject of our NINOs, there is one thing I don't have to worry about.

They don't send people like me to war.

No they dont send you to the front line as you are as you are Female. However there are plenty of jobs you will be forced to do if the country needed you.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Or you get sent to be a field medic, recovering casualties under fire. This is what 'conscientious objectors' did in both World Wars.

Originally Posted by MiniMatt

Ok, Ed, I'm going to pick a fight with you now First off, you're too old to fight. Sorry mate. But you are. As such, machismo is hollow Replace "I'd sign up and fight with a Rambo smiley" with "I'll spoon feed my 20 year old kid for the rest of his life, wipe his **** and clean the dribble from his chin" for a real picture of war. It ain't so Rambo now is it?

.

And you have been there havent you, seen it all first hand.

Originally Posted by Jayneflakes

No matter what urban myths may be about on the subject of our NINOs, there is one thing I don't have to worry about.

They don't send people like me to war.






I became a pacifist aged eleven... We just get bunged in jail or made to plough fields with our finger nails!

dont be too sure Janey....
Theres a lot of minefields out there, and only a limited number of sheep!!

Steve

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

And there's the diffference between a conscientious objector and a coward.

No there isnt any whatsoever.

I think this thread is getting at if there was a war where the nation was in danger of being ruled by an occupying force type senario, not lets go and decide which oil field to take next.

I would hope that most Men elligble for service in the UK would either join up if needed or if cnscription took place go along with no objections.

I have no time for Cowards (sorry conscientious objector) at all. I find it disgusting that people would even concider no defending their own country if needed to do it.

Dont get me wrong being shot at and having mortors come in at you if f**king scary as hell , but you just have to get on with it and do the job or task you have been asked to do, all the time using your training to help you stay alive.

I'm an A, but I pretty sure I'm too old to get called up...

Originally Posted by startrek.steve

I'm an A, but I pretty sure I'm too old to get called up...

I think the upper limit is still 40 for call up.