So the Howard Government is trying to encourage young Australians to use their gap year doing something worthwhile for the country - by joining the army. And exactly whose country would they be serving the interests of? A government that commits Australian troops to cover the US' backside isn't exactly protecting the best interests of the nation. Sure, we got a pat on the head from Uncle Sam but the fact remains that our 'bond' isn't as secure as we'd like to think it is anyway.
Getting involved in a conflict based on lies and greed showed up this government for what it is - morally bankrupt. It always astounds me that so many of these publicly God-fearing politicians don't bat an eyelid at sending their own youthful soldiers into a potentially life-threatening situation for no credible reason.
Having said this, there is no doubt that Australian troops have done valuable work elsewhere (Pacific region, East Timor etc.). An army is an obvious necessity. I just think potential recruits should be aware of how little their government thinks of them before they are lured with promises of good pay and invaluable life skills. You'll never hear me say this again, but perhaps a Kontiki tour is the more sensible option.
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What will be a great future for young Australian? Serving the country by being engaged in the army. It could seem a bit hard to accept what has Howard been promoted. But I think every country need volunteers to defend their own country, and obviously the other ones. What would be a country without army, without human forces? If you think about, it will be...nothing. A country with no power, no respect. This is the dramatic system of this world.
this reminds me of a funny bumper sticker i saw that reads, 'Join the Army: visit exotic places, meet interesting people, then kill them.' i find it bemusing that so many people think that joining the army is a good way to 'straighten out wayward youth etc.' the army is about brutalizing people to prepare them for war. i agree, they're better off on contiki tours, but that will probably be just as frightening...
As well as promoting military service, Howard advocates nationalism, patriotism, xenophobia, more centralised governance and the side-lining of due legal process. Sounds like the kind of policies that Franco, Mussolini and Hitler would have advocated...
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