world war 3 conscriptions

[pianoman81]

if there was a call up tommorow for all males to go to war -as in the second world war, knowing what we now know about iraq, how many of you would rather go to prison instead ???
taking into account the state this country is in???
me- id chose prison at least youd know where your enemy was !!

[anotheoldgit]

Firstly why only males, don't forget there is such a thing these days called sex equality.

Regarding how many would rather go to jail than be conscripted into the services, I would say many, judging by the majority of youngsters you see hanging about the streets these days, with nothing to do, also taking into account how cushy a life it is in prison,

It would seem that the youngsters in the past were made of stronger stuff. Even the National Service lads fought and died, along side regulars in many conflics that took place after the second world war had finished. Korea, Suez, Kenya, Malaya, Cyprus to name just a few.

[LeMarchand]

Jail.

a) Don't support the war.
b) If more people would refuse to fight just because their government told them to/because they bought into the propaganda then we would have all these senseless wars.

(I realise that the latter reason is hoping for too much).

[kev100]

I was always confused as a child that my grandfathers went to to fight the germans, on behalf of king and country, when the king and queen of England were Germans

[LeMarchand]

Should read: "we WOULDN'T have all these senseless wars".

[ummmm]

The prisons are full!

[NH]

You'd get out of it if you came across as mentally unstable- so I'd let rip as soon as I had a gun and do as convincing an impression as I can.

Maybe I'd go on the run and have a mission to assassinate all governments involved; after all, if they started it, killing them ends it.

Either way, I wouldn't just take conscription. And considering the number deserting/leaving/simply not joining the forces nowadays, I don't think many others would, either.

[sandbach99]

I believe in the last war those that refused to enlist had to do the essential work that those who had joined up had left ie work in the coal mines, pity there are few coal mines now, although the mines would probably have to be reopened after all we wouldn't have had much gas through the pipeline from France in the last war.

Given the choice enlist or work in a mine or other essential work like making weapons, bullets or even farming might just focus a few minds, no-one would be allowed to remain in cushy non-essential jobs, nor are they likely to be jailed.

If they were so determined to do absolutely nothing they would be put in interrment camps, and no human rights courts would sit until after the war as they would be classed as non essential. When the war was over these people would not find they were very welcome in the general population .

[noxlumos]

Sandbach are you listening to yourself? I think most people these days realise that everyone should listen to their own conscience regarding war. I certainly wouldn't have a problem with a conscientous objector, why ever would I? At least they have thought about their choice rather than running blind and sheeplike after some self righteous politician whose instigated the war for immoral purposes in the first place. I think it's fine for you to speak for yourself, but to imply society as a whole thinks the same way you do is absurd, because a lot of people now appreciate that going to war just because you are told to is in fact an abdication of your personal responsibility as a human being. I am not a coward and have fought for things I believe in, and would happily fight if I believed the cause was right, but the hell I am going to Iraq to assist in the occupation of a country that didn't deserve the treatment we gave it.That's disgusting to me, and yes I'd rather go to jail (which is not cushy by the way for all you Daily Mail readers out there).

[sandbach99]

Nox Read the question, it asks if there was a call up tomorrow - as in the second world war, how many of you would rather go to prison, knowing that politicians have lied and taken the country into a illegal war before.

So come on nox tell me would you have been a conscientous objector in the second world war or would you have enlisted.

[NH]

I doubt it would be exactly like the Second World War- things were different then. For a start, you wouldn't have gotten round-the-clock coverage of WW2. You'd get it with WW3, because they'll report the stupendously obvious nowadays.

Yes, women would possibly be up for conscription. And imprisoning people wouldn't be helpful.

I hope if there was any major doubt over the war there'd be instant revolution and the other side wouldn't have to worry.

[sandbach99]

I don't think there would be round the clock television as it would be classed as non-essential, there would probably be 24hour radio mainly for the factories, all reports on the war would be strictly censored especially if events were not going well.

Women would be conscripted only as a last resort, as they would be needed more at home as in the last war doing war work and looking after the children, sick and elderly . Sexist yes but there is little point in having both parents actually in a battle zone
Or the Government may come up with one person from each family unit, where the family unit comprises of 2 adults, to enlist plus all over 18 . Imagine the rows that would cause between partners!

[JoshPerkins]

A third world war will be highly unliekly, thats what the United Nations was orginally organsied for: Prevent a war like world war III.
So far in the no world wars area, thjey've done great.
Everything else they've tried to do: wrong.

[noxlumos]

The second world war I would, without a doubt, have enlisted, but that was not the question.The question was if there was conscription tomorrow knowling what we know about Iraq would I go, and the answer is no I would not, as I do not believe we had any business invading Iraq and occupying it. The two wars are incomparable both on scale and on morality grounds.

[johnlambert]

As an ex soldier, I can tell you that most Forces Personel are against conscription,we like to be 150% sure that the soldier watching our back is on the ball as we are. Look at NH's reply, I rest my case.
That said however, I think the yanks had right idea by letting concientious objectors join the medical services as hospital orderlies, that way they were not involved in actuall combat operations, but still doing a vital job and letting another man serve as a front line medic where he would be better employed.
Ward~Minter, if you like I can send you info where you can enlist as a bodyguard, the Iraqi's love untrained amateur gung-ho idiots they can practice their beheading skills on

[Lonnie]

One thing about wars, no matter when they are fought, now, or in the future, you'll always need ground troops.

All depending what the war was about, i'd not go, or i'd enlist, after making up my mind.

Probably the only reason i'd enlist now, (and I've already served ten years), is if the freedoms we currently enjoy, were being threatned by an outside force.

[pianoman81]

right im back- some good views in there- some people obviously know what theyre talking about.
when i said "rather prison instead" i meant it as i think it would be the only thing they could threaten you with if you refused to go and fight.

dont get me wrong though- if it was kicking off in THIS country - i would fight ! as it would be threatening me personally and anyone i cared about, the way i see it let countries sort their own problems out unless it represents a REAL threat to us !!! but after this iraq business - i dont think wed ever believe it anyway ??!!!
p.s i have no problem or issues with anybody who has been fighting or currently serving in iraq , they are in a s==t position and should never been put there in the 1st place as they were lied to!! simple.

[johnlambert]

never apologise minter, its a sign of weakness,!!!! dont you ever listen?
BTW pianoman Ward~Minter is a compulsive liar, he'll tell you he was a captain in the Army, that he was shot in the gulf war/bosnis/rwanda/etc, his wife died just after they were married, + that he has a 1st class Hons Law degree

[brachiopod]

Interesting.

Despite mixed opinions as to conscription per se, many have declared that if this country was threatened, or if it "kicked off here" then they would defend the home country.

So..... we'd all be 'Freedom Fighters' would we? - or 'insurgents' - or is that 'terrorists'? Even Lonnie said he'd enlist if "the freedoms we.. enjoy" were being threatened "by an outside force".

Meanwhile, NH says "if there was any major doubt... there'd be instant revolution" - so, without even a 'by-your-leave, your Majesty', there would be insurrection, mutiny and treasonous acts in the streets if you though your government was wrong?

So if we can't even decide amongst our Nation whether we'd fight or not, or "only if it was on these shores" or even openly declare we'd be part of an uprising if "the government was wrong" - then how can we call those fighting for 'their' country - Iraq - "insurgents" and "Enemies of Democracy"?