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Germany votes to bring in voluntary military service programme for 18-year-olds

bbc.com

441–450 of 465 posts

Re: Germany votes to bring in voluntary military service programme for 18-year-olds

#441

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know what to tell you. We used 'Russians' and Soviets interchangeably during the Cold War, even if it was technically inaccurate. I'm not sure if anyone remembers the song 'Russians' by Sting anymore, but that's a good example. This is like someone correcting me for saying 'an LP' instead of 'a vinyl' despite my being an analog native :)

I'm sure you did. We did too. Some people still refer to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as "England"... Or all of the Netherlands as "Holland".

You're deep in the technically correct wordplay words, while the rest of us are discussing actual death of millions.

Congrats, you follow the dictionary more closely, even if you added nothing of substance.

Re: Germany votes to bring in voluntary military service programme for 18-year-olds

#442
post #236

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> We're all the same. Nothing has been shown more effective at tearing down prejudices than actual exposure and confrontation. History is full of counter-examples.

Under scientific scrutiny it is not, tho. Contact interventions are considered the most effective tool to reduce prejudices across domains. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_hypothesis https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014971892...

American south? Many contact, few rainbows and unicorns.

Re: Germany votes to bring in voluntary military service programme for 18-year-olds

#443

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You misunderstand. I'm not against reporting about Russia. The oversimplification of reducing everything down to "Putin this, Putin that" is my issue. Imagine me saying everything the EU is doing is explicitly because of Ursel. It's stupid, ignorant and reminds me of Trump Derangement Syndrome which had a similar effect on reporting about US issues. I live in Germany so I'm fucked either way. I'm also aware of NATO e…

> The oversimplification of reducing everything down to "Putin this, Putin that" is my issue. Imagine me saying everything the EU is doing is explicitly because of Ursel. It's stupid, ignorant and reminds me of Trump Derangement Syndrome which had a similar effect on reporting about US issues. Those oversimplifications are in fact also really at the core of the issues. Russia without Putin would be far less likely to…

Who isn't a complete jester nowadays? Can you take anyone serious who has some impact and public presence? It's one big complete that most of us aren't in. Zelensky is a coke head, he's surrounded by proud fascists wearing their symbols while EU is talking of saving democracy by propping up a government that cancelled it's elections. Scholz stood next to Biden while he proclaimed that the US will end NS2. People get debanked for having wrong opinions but it's all meant to keep our freedoms. You can't take any of it seriously anymore.

Re: Germany votes to bring in voluntary military service programme for 18-year-olds

#444

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Germany took part in a lot of those wars.

Did it? Genuine question. I thought they were mostly prohibited by their constitution (a.k.a. what the Allies thought was best) from engaging in offensive warfare.

They didn’t consider them offensive.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_Germany...

Re: Germany votes to bring in voluntary military service programme for 18-year-olds

#445
post #196

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What are you suggesting? That without forced military service Russia will take over Germany? It's not impossible, but basic military service likely does little to thwart invasion by a powerful Russian army — powerful by your suggestion. This is quite an expensive program and a questionable use of taxpayer money.

Technically correct, but more importantly: the lack of trained military personnel does even less to thwart invasion. "Likely little" >> nothing.

Of course, but a trained military is achieved by proper incentives to have people enlist — willingly.

I would make a terrible soldier, but I attended an info session laat year about how civilians can contribute their skills to the military. Force me into service and all you'd get is resentment. Ironically I can't actually do anything for the military since I don't have citizenship here.

Re: Germany votes to bring in voluntary military service programme for 18-year-olds

#446

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed. This is a rational response to the USA's protective umbrella being discarded, and the end of NATO. Europe became far too complacent, and the change is going to be quite uncomfortable at the very least. Again, this is a very rational response and I applaud the German government for being realistic.

You have a source for NATO ending, I’m sure?

[deleted]

Re: Germany votes to bring in voluntary military service programme for 18-year-olds

#447

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The oversimplification of reducing everything down to "Putin this, Putin that" is my issue. Imagine me saying everything the EU is doing is explicitly because of Ursel. It's stupid, ignorant and reminds me of Trump Derangement Syndrome which had a similar effect on reporting about US issues. Those oversimplifications are in fact also really at the core of the issues. Russia without Putin would be far less likely to…

Who isn't a complete jester nowadays? Can you take anyone serious who has some impact and public presence? It's one big complete that most of us aren't in. Zelensky is a coke head, he's surrounded by proud fascists wearing their symbols while EU is talking of saving democracy by propping up a government that cancelled it's elections. Scholz stood next to Biden while he proclaimed that the US will end NS2. People get…

Stop spreading Kremlin bullshit here.

Why do you keep ignoring my question?

How long has NATO been on russia’s border?

Re: Germany votes to bring in voluntary military service programme for 18-year-olds

#448

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Who isn't a complete jester nowadays? Can you take anyone serious who has some impact and public presence? It's one big complete that most of us aren't in. Zelensky is a coke head, he's surrounded by proud fascists wearing their symbols while EU is talking of saving democracy by propping up a government that cancelled it's elections. Scholz stood next to Biden while he proclaimed that the US will end NS2. People get…

Stop spreading Kremlin bullshit here. Why do you keep ignoring my question? How long has NATO been on russia’s border?

1999 or 2004.

Re: Germany votes to bring in voluntary military service programme for 18-year-olds

#449

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Stop spreading Kremlin bullshit here. Why do you keep ignoring my question? How long has NATO been on russia’s border?

1999 or 2004.

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