Panorama- The soldiers story

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by andyb

after all they've been through the least they deserve is our respect!

Agreed

That's the trouble with the world today there just isn't any respect anymore - most of us haven't experienced the hardships of war and the need for a strong community, having to make do and so on. There is no pride in the country but I don't understand why. We all have complaints as do just about every country in the world.

Obviously I don't want a war but sometimes you wonder if it is what is needed, call up and all that.

How can people be so ignorant to blame individuals for being soldiers or being in Iraq? Just as you can't blame a Policeman for applying the law (even though people do).

I never joined up although was just a smidgin away from doing so. When the Falklands came around I was sure I was going to be called up and I have to tell you the thought unsettled my stomach a tad. I could have and would have done it if called up but can't say I relished the idea. How many younger folk today could take it?

Hats off to the Guys and Gals - get your Poppy today (if you haven't already done so!!) Wear it with pride and be proud to be British warts and all.

Originally Posted by skint

I could have and would have done it if called up but can't say I relished the idea. How many younger folk today could take it?

.

I have wondered that as well.

If there was say a 3rd world war and say conscription far all able bodied 16-40 yr olds that were not in protected jobs like the police, fire services etc. How many of the eligible would try and find a way out of it, refuse to go, hide find medical reasons etc

And I reckon there would be all these so called people who consider themselves British that would object and refuse to fight if for example it was a war against the Middle East countries. In that case all those who refuse should be thrown out the UK.

I don’t think a lot of the young generations have the balls to do it as was the case in WW2; there isn’t the moral fibre anymore.

Desertion once in would be a problem, the only good point to that is you can still be executed in the field for it!! J And rightly so.

Originally Posted by neio79

I have wondered that as well.

If there was say a 3rd world war and say conscription far all able bodied 16-40 yr olds that were not in protected jobs like the police, fire services etc. How many of the eligible would try and find a way out of it, refuse to go, hide find medical reasons etc

And I reckon there would be all these so called people who consider themselves British that would object and refuse to fight if for example it was a war against the Middle East countries. In that case all those who refuse should be thrown out the UK.

I don?t think a lot of the young generations have the balls to do it as was the case in WW2; there isn?t the moral fibre anymore.

Desertion once in would be a problem, the only good point to that is you can still be executed in the field for it!! J And rightly so.

I think we would have big problems trying to get younger people if there was WW3. I'm 25 so come into this category but I can't see many people my age wanting to join up either voluntary or otherwise, they'd miss their X-Box too much!

Personally I wouldn't have a problem which probably explains why both myself and brother are in the TA!

Originally Posted by andyb

I think we would have big problems trying to get younger people if there was WW3. I'm 25 so come into this category but I can't see many people my age wanting to join up either voluntary or otherwise, they'd miss their X-Box too much!

assuming it came to it and all able were required then i think either become a conscript, join up, or prison should be the only options.

The wars are very different. WWI & II were defending the country, Iraq is just dicking around in the name of distraction. Given an attack on the country I have no doubt that people would fight, it is also worth remembering how many people tried to get out of the World Wars it's not all rosey. Recent articles have stated the Battle fo Britain was barely a victory and massively overhyped for propaganda purposes.

Yes lots of people did try to get out of both wars i thnk for about 3 years they were all called Americans LOL

A lot was there to be learned from how America treated it's returning soldiers who fought in Vietnam.

Today with the liberal minded PC correctness it can be easy to fail to acknowledge, that there are men and women who have stepped up to the plate and will put their lives on the line to defend even the lives of those that criticise them the most.

This is not to indicate that I personally see armed intervention as the only answer in this day and age. Surely man should have progressed enough now to sit down and talk through ALL problems?

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

The wars are very different. WWI & II were defending the country, Iraq is just dicking around in the name of distraction. Given an attack on the country I have no doubt that people would fight, it is also worth remembering how many people tried to get out of the World Wars it's not all rosey. Recent articles have stated the Battle fo Britain was barely a victory and massively overhyped for propaganda purposes.

I have total doubt as I don't think there is much 'honour' in our youngsters (generally - not exclusively of course)

Originally Posted by Pedrosa

A lot was there to be learned from how America treated it's returning soldiers who fought in Vietnam.

Today with the liberal minded PC correctness it can be easy to fail to acknowledge, that there are men and women who have stepped up to the plate and will put their lives on the line to defend even the lives of those that criticise them the most. - Indeed

This is not to indicate that I personally see armed intervention as the only answer in this day and age. Surely man should have progressed enough now to sit down and talk through ALL problems?

may be not but as humans physical strength is the predominant dispaly of power and will probably always be the case. Just about every country on every continent and most communities within them, operate this way, though gladly usually only after talks have failed.

With the incredible diversity of life across the world it is unlikely that war/violemce/physical power will disappear though I agree we should always strive to work towards peace and harmony.

but all those who believe that everything can be solved peacefully through talks, no sanctions (and don't forget sanctions are a physical force of power that can lead to hardship, harm and death of individual people) with everyone smiling is IMVHO, deluded.

Originally Posted by skint

I have total doubt as I don't think there is much 'honour' in our youngsters (generally - not exclusively of course)

We only need to do well at football/rugby/anything to draw the country very quickly together. I imagine that an attack on England may drum up support as quickly.