It seems I'm not the only one tearing up military recruitment materials - The Rowntree Foundation has published a report concluding that "Potential recruits to the armed forces are given a misleading picture of military life, including the physical risks and ethical dilemmas involved." More here from the Grauniad.
In the meantime, there will now be a brief window in which this point of view can be taken seriously by The Establishment. It won't last, but while it does I'm going to register a complaint about their T.V. adverts with the Advertising Standards Authority. They are obliged to investigate even one complaint as long as they are satisfied that there "is an issue for the advertising parties to answer," and a nice big official report in the news might just swing that one this week.
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I'm with you all the way. One thing that's always fascinated (and appalled) me is that various (all?) religions give their blessings to soldiers. I suppose you just have to hope that the blessings given to one side are stronger than those of the enemy. Also, people make a tremendous fuss about objectifying women in everyday life and then send women, usually half-naked, to entertain the troops. The message seems to be that because you are going to kill people and be killed you can treat women as mere eye candy. I do lots of objectifying of all kinds of folk myself, but I'm not hypocritical about it. I could go on and on, but won't cos I'm preaching to the converted...
I'll follow this one with interest, Alice. :)
Good luck with your complaint Alice. I trust you will keep us informed of any progress.
I have to say also, that I share commoner's consternation at the notion of Military Chaplains, especially Christian ones who are meant to uphold commandments like "Thou Shalt Not Kill".
Makes nae sense to me.
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