That is terrible! I can think of a number of reasons why that is a BAD idea: 1. You have massive droves of people in boot-camps. This is bad because either there will now be an additional 2-3k boot-camp cities, or there will be a mirror of big-city public education problems. End result: Very dangerous & bitter mal-contents. (I would be one, myself.) 2. The military suddenly has control/influence over a *very* large percentage of the population. We would indeed end up living in a military state. I certainly wouldn't want to live in Sparta. 3. This bill would set precedent for the government to use to continue to make Life Decisions for the populous. Obvious why that is bad. 4. Cultural/Ethnic differences will cause a great deal of trouble both inside and outside the camps--possibly result in segregation? (I'm thinking of that percentage of the nation whom are racial bigots and usually forgoe military {or any effort-required} endeavors.)
I would go on, but it is time for class. This is very disturbing, and I pray that it never sees the light of day.
I'm not for this, but it I'm going to play devil's advocate for a moment. I doesn't seem like they are pushing for required military service, but more of an extension of public education - to include some training in military issues (personal antiterrorism comes to mind) as well as international relations. The obvious goal would be to create a more globally aware generation of American youth. On the racism issue, I would like to note that in my experience, 99% of racial problems dissipate instantly when people are faced with a greater enemy (i.e. the "boot camp" itself).
Don't think I'm THE MAN or anything, this definitely not the right way to do something like this, and it certainly shouldn't be 100% mandatory, but I think that maybe something similar, perhaps rolled into the public education system, would be beneficial to this country.
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ninetydegrees
!!YIPES!!
1. You have massive droves of people in boot-camps. This is bad because either there will now be an additional 2-3k boot-camp cities, or there will be a mirror of big-city public education problems. End result: Very dangerous & bitter mal-contents. (I would be one, myself.)
2. The military suddenly has control/influence over a *very* large percentage of the population. We would indeed end up living in a military state. I certainly wouldn't want to live in Sparta.
3. This bill would set precedent for the government to use to continue to make Life Decisions for the populous. Obvious why that is bad.
4. Cultural/Ethnic differences will cause a great deal of trouble both inside and outside the camps--possibly result in segregation? (I'm thinking of that percentage of the nation whom are racial bigots and usually forgoe military {or any effort-required} endeavors.)
I would go on, but it is time for class. This is very disturbing, and I pray that it never sees the light of day.
Re: !!YIPES!!
on 27 Mar 2002 14:58 (UTC)Re: !!YIPES!!
on 27 Mar 2002 16:14 (UTC)Don't think I'm THE MAN or anything, this definitely not the right way to do something like this, and it certainly shouldn't be 100% mandatory, but I think that maybe something similar, perhaps rolled into the public education system, would be beneficial to this country.