Posted on 01/20/2008 3:31:42 AM PST by Caipirabob
AVID Cameron has called for a revived form of National Service to steer out-of-control youths back on the straight and narrow, in the wake of the murder of Garry Newlove.
Compulsory military conscription, which ended in Britain in 1960, gave young people a feeling of identity with their country, Mr Cameron said
The Conservative leader said Britain's streets had been "lost" to thugs, as he pointed to the killing of an innocent father of three by a teenage gang.
There was a need for "big social, cultural and political change" to tackle the problem of social disorder", he said.
While he said he would not bring back National Service in a traditional form, he called for a new "national citizens' service", which would involve the army and other voluntary services. He said it was "something all 16-year-olds should do, to learn about their duties and responsibilities as citizens and inspire them as being part of our country instead of being people who hang round on street corners".
Compulsory military conscription, which ended in Britain in 1960, gave young people a feeling of identity with their country, Mr Cameron said.
***
Locals share their feelings in the commentary following the article. No better way to get a read on the true situation that by hearing what the people have to say.
Yes...the comments are as instructive as the PMs words. At least Blair got a few things accomplished. What are the Tories doing?
Sir Humphrey: "You know what happens: nice young lady comes up to you. Obviously you want to create a good impression, you don't want to look a fool, do you? So she starts asking you some questions: Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the number of young people without jobs?"
Bernard Woolley: "Yes"
Sir Humphrey: "Are you worried about the rise in crime among teenagers?"
Bernard Woolley: "Yes"
Sir Humphrey: "Do you think there is a lack of discipline in our Comprehensive schools?"
Bernard Woolley: "Yes"
Sir Humphrey: "Do you think young people welcome some authority and leadership in their lives?"
Bernard Woolley: "Yes"
Sir Humphrey: "Do you think they respond to a challenge?"
Bernard Woolley: "Yes"
Sir Humphrey: "Would you be in favour of reintroducing National Service?"
Bernard Woolley: "Oh...well, I suppose I might be."
Sir Humphrey: "Yes or no?"
Bernard Woolley: "Yes"
Sir Humphrey: "Of course you would, Bernard. After all you told you can't say no to that. So they don't mention the first five questions and they publish the last one."
Bernard Woolley: "Is that really what they do?"
Sir Humphrey: "Well, not the reputable ones no, but there aren't many of those. So alternatively the young lady can get the opposite result."
Bernard Woolley: "How?"
Sir Humphrey: "Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the danger of war?"
Bernard Woolley: "Yes"
Sir Humphrey: "Are you worried about the growth of armaments?"
Bernard Woolley: "Yes"
Sir Humphrey: "Do you think there is a danger in giving young people guns and teaching them how to kill?"
Bernard Woolley: "Yes"
Sir Humphrey: "Do you think it is wrong to force people to take up arms against their will?"
Bernard Woolley: "Yes"
Sir Humphrey: "Would you oppose the reintroduction of National Service?"
Bernard Woolley: "Yes"
Sir Humphrey: "There you are, you see Bernard. The perfect balanced sample."
Before national service, they should consider setting up military run, military discipline training camps in very rural areas, then filling them with large numbers of selected young prisoners from their prisons. This will not only solve their prison overcrowding problem, but solve their military manpower problem as well.
That is, while prisoners typically make poor soldiers, *some* of them will become ordered, and so may be steered into the regular army.
For the majority, a “field prison” is a lot cheaper than a brick prison, and judges will no longer have a problem giving convicts long sentences.
Taking all of those Muslim youths into national service should be a real experience.
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