Salmond "We can take Scotland in two weeks"

[Mich the Tester]

Yes, it should. 16 year old soldiers in this country are predominantly from the poorly educated under-classes. I have no argument with increasing the age of recruitment to 18, or beyond for that matter.

I think it's one thing to stop deploying the under 18s to combat zones; that seems logical to me. But it's another thing to stop recruiting 16 year olds, especially those from the background you've named, for whom the armed forces might provide their best, or even only opportunity to get out of the sink estate and get on in life. They could start training in many roles as the armed forces need mechanics, cooks, nurses, firemen, logistics workers and so on, and I actually think it's one of the roles of the armed forces to provide that social function of giving people an opportunity to get a good job and training. Sitting in a classrom at school just doesn't work for everybody.

[Old Greg]

I think it's one thing to stop deploying the under 18s to combat zones; that seems logical to me. But it's another thing to stop recruiting 16 year olds, especially those from the background you've named, for whom the armed forces might provide their best, or even only opportunity to get out of the sink estate and get on in life. They could start training in many roles as the armed forces need mechanics, cooks, nurses, firemen, logistics workers and so on, and I actually think it's one of the roles of the armed forces to provide that social function of giving people an opportunity to get a good job and training. Sitting in a classrom at school just doesn't work for everybody.

Then employ them as civilians with a view to their signing up when they reach 18. You're not allowed to take out a loan at 16 or 17 (possibly different in Scotchman where adulthood starts at 16 /IIRC), but you can sign up to be a soldier, and to be subject to military discipline and military law.

[JustinTime]

I think it's one thing to stop deploying the under 18s to combat zones; that seems logical to me. But it's another thing to stop recruiting 16 year olds, especially those from the background you've named, for whom the armed forces might provide their best, or even only opportunity to get out of the sink estate and get on in life. They could start training in many roles as the armed forces need mechanics, cooks, nurses, firemen, logistics workers and so on, and I actually think it's one of the roles of the armed forces to provide that social function of giving people an opportunity to get a good job and training. Sitting in a classrom at school just doesn't work for everybody.

This is true, but is does not solve the underlying problem: poor education, and low social integration.

[TestMangler]

Ah, the Malvolio stratagem ; so nice to see it deployed outside of a discussion on PCG.

It's got more to do with the fact that I need to get some fucking work done

[JustinTime]

It's got more to do with the fact that I need to get some fucking work done

He-he-he. Of course it does.

[Old Greg]

It's got more to do with the fact that I need to get some fucking work done

But once you're independent, you won't need to work, as you can ride your unicorn to pick social justice from the stars.

[Batcher]

it drives a few too many, thankfully that generation is getting old. My teenage kids think it's all a bit sad. They see the world as a big open place. Nationalism they see as an old person's disease.

It's actually the opposite so your kids are obviously listening to the Bitter Together stuff that you are spouting.

The recent opinion polls when broken down show that the over 55s are the ones most likely to vote no. The younger generation see the possibilities of a new start as a small independent country.

[JustinTime]

It's actually the opposite so your kids are obviously listening to the Bitter Together stuff that you are spouting.

The recent opinion polls when broken down show that the over 55s are the ones most likely to vote no. The younger generation see the possibilities of a new start as a small independent country.

One word: Ireland.

[TestMangler]

He-he-he. Of course it does.

So, you don't need to work then ? You on a giro, or are you a Project Manager ?

[DodgyAgent]

It's actually the opposite so your kids are obviously listening to the Bitter Together stuff that you are spouting.

The recent opinion polls when broken down show that the over 55s are the ones most likely to vote no. The younger generation see the possibilities of doing what the Irish did and will leave the country.

FTFY.

I had the unfortunate experience of going to Scotland for a funeral. It really was the direst place on Earth. I have also been to Ireland for a funeral and no matter what the weather there is always a great sense of occasion and fun attached to everything that goes on.