RMweb Premium Neil Posted January 29 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 29 Some time ago I signed up for You Gov surveys. As a confirmed pinko, leftie, right on, woke, socially liberal sort of chap the thought of influencing governments and world events appealed hugely. The reality is that most times you'll be asked for your opinions on more banal stuff, which reading between the lines is all about advertising cut through and market penetration for a range of products. Today I was asked on my thoughts about chocolate biscuits, yum. Sometimes single issue subjects get tacked onto the end of these product surveys; the last of any consequence was during Covid when I was asked several times about my attitude to lock-down and whether restrictions should be eased. This morning I was slightly disconcerted as the add-on was about my attitude to conscription into the armed forces. Given that these sorts of questions tend to be asked when there's some thought by those in power that it might be an idea worth exploring I wonder what on earth they're thinking of and why? 3 3 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheatley Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 I suspect it's linked to the outgoing head of the Army's widely reported remarks that we are a pre-war generation and we ought to be thinking about a citizen's army for when we eventually end up fighting Russia/Iran/Panem/the French again. Insert favourite conspiracy theory at this point. As you allude to, You Gov is just a market research company. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 One of the many stories floating about on this subject was one about raising the age limit to 60. Will be watching Dad's Army for training purposes... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Jeremy Cumberland Posted January 29 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 29 Rumour in Carlisle has it that McVitie's is planning an invasion of Crawford's. I expect they are trying to gauge how many biscuit-lovers will rally to their banner. 1 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post Revolution Ben Posted January 29 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted January 29 Hi there, I'm all for it. For able-bodied men and women aged 21-45 and all Members of Parliament under 80. I doubt there'd be a war then. cheers Ben A. 11 9 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Popular Post AY Mod Posted January 29 Administrators Popular Post Share Posted January 29 12 minutes ago, Revolution Ben said: all Members of Parliament under 80 If there's an attendance allowance, second homes and additional payments for committees they'll be up for it. 5 5 1 27 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Hroth Posted January 29 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 29 Military service training will be one of the "compulsory" opportunities offered to Universal Credit claimants at JobCentreDoublePlusGood... 3 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
black and decker boy Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 (edited) Can we offshore the war like we are doing with refugees and carbon emissions and just send a cheque with our love and thanks? Conscription for 18-21yrd olds could just be marketed as paid gap year international travel (who reads the small print about guns, bullets & bombs?) or as it’s the 21st century, let AI fight a virtual war and tell us its outcome - make sure you don’t copy and paste the answer. All a bit 1984…. Edited January 29 by black and decker boy 4 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Huw Griffiths Posted January 29 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 29 1 hour ago, 30801 said: One of the many stories floating about on this subject was one about raising the age limit to 60. Will be watching Dad's Army for training purposes... Cue a well known song, with new lyrics: "Who do you think you are kidding, Mr. Putin ...". OK - perhaps not. 1 hour ago, Jeremy Cumberland said: Rumour in Carlisle has it that McVitie's is planning an invasion of Crawford's. I expect they are trying to gauge how many biscuit-lovers will rally to their banner. AKA the Battle of Garibaldi? 26 minutes ago, Hroth said: Military service training will be one of the "compulsory" opportunities offered to Universal Credit claimants at JobCentreDoublePlusGood... Sounds like something some chap by the name of Blair might have recognised. As you've probably worked out, I'm not referring to Anthony Charles Lynton Blair - but Eric Arthur Blair. Incidentally, I always thought the jokeshops talk in terms of mandatory "opportunities" (which very few sane people would actually wish to take them up on). 3 minutes ago, black and decker boy said: Can we offshore the war like we are doing with refugees and carbon emissions and just send a cheque with our love and thanks? Conscription for 18-21yrd olds could just be marketed as paid gap year international travel (who reads the small print about guns, bullets & bombs?) Somehow, I suspect that a number of their parents would ... . 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted January 29 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 29 Crudely, from another chap that fits you description, this is bollox really. What will be needed is as follows and not in any particular order. AI, Cyber Manipulation, Drones, Virus development, use of Poisons/Gases, and that Trickery thing that causes a big Trickery Pulse that kills all Communications, plus Nukes to set off Volcanic Eruptions and Earthquakes & Tsunamies. Most of those can be controlled from some smelly Basement in Whitehall/White House, Tent In Africa, Satellite...who cares. It's all DCC anyway so it won't work according to so many on here. A. Putin 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 (edited) 56 minutes ago, Hroth said: Military service training will be one of the "compulsory" opportunities offered to Universal Credit claimants at JobCentreDoublePlusGood... In the US of A it's a good route to getting solid qualifications even the cost of going to university. Many people sign up because it offers the best chance of a solid income, good education and a chance to get away from being dirt poor. Most will never see active service. Edited January 29 by woodenhead added that even cost of university can be covered 1 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted January 29 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 29 Oh I forgot..Big Arseteroid. Yea. My Loft is all set for protection so I'm fine thanks. P 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talltim Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 4 minutes ago, Mallard60022 said: Oh I forgot..Big Arseteroid. Yea. My Loft is all set for protection so I'm fine thanks. P You mean large posteriors won't fit through the hatch? 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 4 minutes ago, woodenhead said: In the US of A it's a good route to getting solid qualifications without the cost of going to university. Many people sign up because it offers the best chance of a solid income, good education and a chance to get away from being dirt poor. Most will never see active service. Likewise Germany. Many big companies wouldn't take people on unless they had done their stint. I think that was stopped though. But not all of it was military some were drafted into things like fire brigades and even working for your local council. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_and_hitch-up_services Jason 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
33C Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 Whatever, as long as Mr. Sunak and the rest leads us over the top.... 5 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 1 hour ago, Neil said: Some time ago I signed up for You Gov surveys. As a confirmed pinko, leftie, right on, woke, socially liberal sort of chap the thought of influencing governments and world events appealed hugely. The reality is that most times you'll be asked for your opinions on more banal stuff, which reading between the lines is all about advertising cut through and market penetration for a range of products. Today I was asked on my thoughts about chocolate biscuits, yum. Sometimes single issue subjects get tacked onto the end of these product surveys; the last of any consequence was during Covid when I was asked several times about my attitude to lock-down and whether restrictions should be eased. This morning I was slightly disconcerted as the add-on was about my attitude to conscription into the armed forces. Given that these sorts of questions tend to be asked when there's some thought by those in power that it might be an idea worth exploring I wonder what on earth they're thinking of and why? Dave Gorman did a very good episode on YouGov polls! On YouTube somewhere or on constant repeat on Dave I expect. Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jjb1970 Posted January 29 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 29 My reaction on seeing Boris telling us all what a spiffing idea it would be to sign up lard butt youngsters as canon fodder (him being a proud military veteran and model of physical fitness) was immense pride and gratitude that our great nation was blessed with such a statesman. An intellectual colossus and a man revered around the world for his integrity and dignity. He is second only to Tony himself in the list of great Britons. 2 1 9 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 (edited) Surprised no-one has thought of this: John Edited January 29 by brossard 6 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Hroth Posted January 29 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 29 37 minutes ago, woodenhead said: In the US of A it's a good route to getting solid qualifications even the cost of going to university. Many people sign up because it offers the best chance of a solid income, good education and a chance to get away from being dirt poor. Most will never see active service. But here, the best you could hope for would be something leading to a Level 2 in Public Service. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jjb1970 Posted January 29 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 29 2 minutes ago, Hroth said: But here, the best you could hope for would be something leading to a Level 2 in Public Service. That and some NHS funded prosthetic limbs. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 22 minutes ago, jjb1970 said: My reaction on seeing Boris telling us all what a spiffing idea it would be to sign up lard butt youngsters as canon fodder (him being a proud military veteran and model of physical fitness) was immense pride and gratitude that our great nation was blessed with such a statesman. An intellectual colossus and a man revered around the world for his integrity and dignity. He is second only to Tony himself in the list of great Britons. A bit harsh seeing as he played Rugby for Oxford University which was at the time quite a high level and is a runner. Even played in some of the Soccer Aid games where he continued playing Rugby! Jason 1 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodgson Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 2 hours ago, Revolution Ben said: Hi there, I'm all for it. For able-bodied men and women aged 21-45 and all Members of Parliament under 80. I doubt there'd be a war then. cheers Ben A. A MP who is a retired or serving military officer (well you don't think they would be "other ranks", do you?) is called an Honourable & Gallant Gentleman, or a Right Honourable & Gallant Gentleman if he's been a cabinet minister, although octagenerians are more likely to Noble & Gallant Lords. Yes, there's certainly a case for a bit more gallantry among that lot. 1 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold tomparryharry Posted January 29 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 29 Conscription would be certainly on the cards, but the armed forces is a hugely bad idea. Would you trust a child of any age with a weapon? The forces need volunteers, not conscripts. Read up on McNamaras Morons, and change the postcode. However, non-military work parties is-are perfectly feasible, and in the event of war, will become compulsory. No work? No rations. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Bernard Lamb Posted January 29 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 29 One little problem. There are about ten times as many potential victims as ther are people to train them. So where do we get all the new RSMs from? Bernard 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Metr0Land Posted January 29 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 29 1 hour ago, Bernard Lamb said: One little problem. There are about ten times as many potential victims as ther are people to train them. So where do we get all the new RSMs from? Bernard Eco-zealots and vegans? 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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