Wednesday, 19 December 2018
The 18%
A Gallup poll published in my morning paper reports that only 18% of German would be prepared to take up arms to defend their country. The figure for the USA is 44%. India is 75% and Pakistan is 89%.
Between them the countries of Germany, France, USA, Russia and China export 75% of the world's weapons of war.
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I think conscription would probably make people join up if their countries went to war.
ReplyDeleteIt is rapidly becoming 'unerwunchst' to think of yourself as belonging to a country here in mainland Europe. Even Napoleon, sorry I mean Macron said there's no such thing as a a true Frenchman. Mind you he was in Denmark the land of Hamlet when he said it. Now he's banging on about the need for the EU Army. Conscription or no conscription it'll be fill the ranks boys! Not for the liberty of France but for global power. And in shadows behind him smiling will be the banker he used to work for. Maybe he still does.
DeleteGonna lay down my heavy load
ReplyDeleteDown by the riverside
Ain't gonna study war no more.
Keeping an eye on the prize...
The next war in Europe will be a civil war. As the last one was in Yugoslavia. They never learn the lessons of history or if they do they ignore them for short term gain.
DeleteMore or less sums it up Gwil.
ReplyDeleteThey are beyond redemption Pat.
DeleteIf it was war to defend yourself from an enemy it would be different to going off to fight in wars in far off lands that have nothing to do with you. I suspect some of the figures would change if people really thought about it in these terms.
ReplyDeleteFor the Vietnam war the boys were conscripted according to the first letter of their surnames. What was that song? Nineteen. Their average age. You'll not be allowed to think about it. If it's your turn you'll be in "the far off lands" before you know it. I can only recommend the actions of Dylan Tomas - drink ten pints of beer before you go for the medical.
DeleteDefence of one's own backyard is a different thing. But unfortunately it begins according to military thinking in 'far off lands'.
DeleteTotally different going off to defeat the Taliban and make Afghanistan a better place to live.
DeleteAlso they have to 'persuade' the customer to use the stuff so they can sell him more.
Deletetodays war weapon
ReplyDeletethis loss of civility
voiceless
fear speaking their lifes truth
silent blood
the moving finger writes . . .
Deletethe pen
is dipped in blood
Not many countries would ask their citizens "Would you terribly mind joining our army for a while?". I expect they'd be TOLD in no uncertain terms!
ReplyDeleteI heard of a man who actually went to live in the US because he wanted to be drafted into the Vietnam war. Apparently he thought it'd be exciting. Somebody I knew got a letter saying he'd got his wish. He was never heard of again. I hope we're too old for Macron's nEU barmy army Cro.
DeleteAnd yet, in the US popular admiration for "those who serve" is almost akin to hero worship.
ReplyDeleteI think in the UK something "akin to hero worship" exists from time to time but is not unconditional. I believe it depends on the cause. It was at its peak during the Falklands War. After that, less so. It evaporated under the leadership of Blair who many see as a war criminal.
Delete