Plan to bring back National Service (conscription) in Australia!

[foreigncorrespondent]

Guys just heard on a channel 9 news break that there is a plan to bring back conscription in Australia. I am hunting for a link but as yet haven't been able to find one. Just thought I would alert you all to this.

On edit. Channel 9 finally added the link:

Bring back national service: Young Labor

The youth wing of the party that has traditionally opposed conscription wants to bring back compulsory national service.

Young Labor's New South Wales chapter is supporting national service for high school students.

The group's president, Sam Dastyari, said there were too many young people who were not willing to contribute to society.

<snip>

Link: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=80154

When I first heard this I thought it was Howard who wanted to bring it back. I must say I am shocked to learn it is from a faction with in the Labor party that wants this.

[gemini_liberal]

1. Just another shot fired in the war against the young, I'm afraid

This country's obsession with making those under 30 feel guilty for existing is rediculous! Day in, day out all I see and hear is how myself and my friends are all scum because we were born after the 60s. It was only a matter of time before something extreme like this was suggested.

Tell me, where's the suggested compulsory activities for older people, so they can give something back for the long healthy life this society has allowed them? Of course, we're not allowed to criticise them...

It surprises me not that Nine are breaking this. No doubt they are gleeful about it, considering Nine are the biggest cheerleaders for Australian Fascism.

[Matilda]

3. I heard it first on the ABC, every news break on Friday.

If this is "young' Labor, no wonder the party's in such a mess.

[foreigncorrespondent]

5. Yeah...

...I heard it on every news break on channel 9 while watching the cricket (only time I actually watch free to air now.)

Well it isn't just the young Labor that has turned the party into a centrist/right wing copy of the Liberal party. When I sit back and actually look at the party and see how many officials from with in the party actually still believe in the reasons why the Labor party was formed, I am truly amazed to see how much we have been taken over by fascist pigs. These young Labor kids are most likely taking lessons from those fascist pigs on how to be a fascist pig. I swear we must have some sort of version of the DLC right here. LOL

[foreigncorrespondent]

4. It all depends...

Tell me, where's the suggested compulsory activities for older people, so they can give something back for the long healthy life this society has allowed them? Of course, we're not allowed to criticise them...

...if Howard agrees with this and decides to go ahead and do it. Then follows the new draft planned for the U.S. the age limit will be raised to 45.

But I do understand your frustration. I am a child of the 60's. Late 60's but nevertheless the 60's. When I turned 18 the whole world changed for me. Like you, most of us experienced the same kind of treatment from older Australians. We were made to feel guilty for existing. Yet into your mid 30's and things suddenly change again. People actually begin listening to you. Why is that? Up until your mid 30's you don't have valid opinions?

[Djinn]

2. doesn't really surprise me at all

NSW Labor is notoriously full of right wing fascistic little toadies, the youth wing (of any political party) is full of horrid little careerists trying to make a name for themselves so that one day their long held wet dream of safe seat preselection may come true

[foreigncorrespondent]

6. As I said above, mate...

...with the party so full of fascist pigs today, it doesn't really surprise me at all. I just really believed up until I found the link that Howard was behind this. That was the surprise for me.

[Canadian_moderate]

7. Labor?

What's up with Australians using American spelling? I thought it was "Labour"?

BTW, I don't think conscription is fascist. The Dutch had it until 1997 and many of my friends that served loved it and thought it was a great experience. I guess it all depends on your military. The Dutch military is unionized.

[Matilda]

8. For some reason I don't know, the Australian Labor Party

has always spelled it's name without the "u". Otherwise, we still have English spelling - most
of the time.

[Canadian_moderate]

9. Interesting

Us Canadians are all over the place with our spelling as well.

Technically most of our spelling is UK English but many words such as Analyse and organise are spelled the American we with the Z. The more anti-American Canadians are becoming the more we seem to revert to British ways instead of American ways in order to distinguish ourselves.

As for the issue of conscription, I think it results in a more rounded military that is less fascistic since not everyone is there by choice. As a result, the soldiers are more like regular people instead of the typical aggressive, hawkish right-wing types.

I moved to Canada (from the Netherlands) when I was 11, but wouldn't have minded 14 or 16 months of military service.

[Matilda]

11. Note that Young Labor is proposing conscription for high school

kids - the age is low enough that there's no risk that any of them would
be called up.

Hypocrites. I'm sure they'll all make good politicians some day.

[Djinn]

10. those people could have served

and taken whatever benefits they found in it without being forced to do so - forcing someone to join the military (or do any kind of forced community service) is wrong.