Hollus

After some more thought on the subject I have to reconsider. Im sure forced military service violates some rights. All Im saying is that our justice system needs to provide some sort of positive envirounment so that the underprivilaged kid-with a poor childhood and a mean dad, and no nice mommy to take care of him like HYDRABOSS had- So the kid can make the changes he needs to make. "Product of themselves" Really? Do you think these are self made monsters? Nah, I think growing up in ghetto like conditions might have a little somthing to do with it. Poverty, social services, justice system is managed by government hence the term society. Your unsubsidized shoe's are such because they were made by a fourteen yearold girl in Guatemala. And thats an entirly different issue society needs to face. H

I dont think this problem is exclusive to youth. Hw many people voted federally last time? Was'nt it somthing like 40% of the population? And how many of them were actually informed voters? Theres no question that eduacation is the answer. I think the earlier the better. We need to start teaching kids about the driving forces of this world and that drinking 2L of pepsi a day isnt like being a pop star(there's no pun in that). The point is, Kids are subject to an overwelming amount of coercing information from the moment they learn the language; without proper intervention it makes an awfully confused person that doesnt no what they think about politics. Just finished reading Enders Game by Orson Scott Card, great quote: "children are a perpetual, self renewing underclass, helpless to escape from the descisions of adults untill they become adults themselves."

Yes I would. As I said, I personally know some of 'these people', and what sets them apart is not so much morale integrity or character but oppertunity. Many of our criminals have been fighting battles their whole childhood, they have'nt had the chance to develop into contributing citizens because society hasnt provided them the frame work to succeed. The ciminal world exist partly as consequence of this. A gang member isnt devoid of the things that make a good soldier. I have no doubt that there are similarity between the two occupations. Lets not pretend our military is completely made up of morrally sound individuals, Ive met enough recruits through their civi jobs to know that their haiseing and love for weaponry isnt all about freedom and liberty. One thing is for sure: young criminals need the lessons that the military have to offer alot more than they need the ones our prison's teach. geoffrey, interesting idea. The reason I like the military option is because we've got officers whoe's only job and concern is to build solid, dependible individuals. As long as our priority is rehabilitating these people to become responsible citizens. personally dont think private sector capable of this on its own. Look no further than the U.S to see how prison populations can be turned into underclass workforces, which not only does it not rehabilitate, but also undercuts the livelyhood of whoever happens to work in the competing industry(see american textiles). H

Excellent idea. I think the military would offer these people a far better chance at becoming responsible citizens than our current jail system. Here's a qoute from investigation article http://www.newint.org/issue282/learn.html: "Prisoners in tense and overcrowded penitentiaries live in an environment where a knife to the throat or a metal pipe to the back of the head is a socially appropriate response to an insult or indiscretion. People may be attacked for looking someone in the eye, glancing into someone else's cell or, as in one case described to me, taking too long in the shower. Prisoners must be ready to defend themselves at all times and failure to retaliate will likely be exploited as a sign of weakness." Maybe not so much for the hardened criminal, but for young people especially we need to make this an option. I know young men both in the military and in the street life and as far as I can tell, they are not so different people, set along to very different paths. Jimi Hendrix was given the choice between the prison or the airforce. If he went to prison would I be listening to 'little wing'?