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| Photo by Elliott Brown |
Freedom is our most private precious privilege in a democracy. But know this - freedom is not free.
Our democracy was created by our ancestors, who took up political and military service to establish it, struggled constantly to perpetuate it and many died horribly in numerous wars defending it -- for us.
These defenses should not be forgotten. Our ancestor's sacrifice allow us to enjoy the many present freedoms we so often take for granted today.
Mandatory military participation by all citizens is a way of honoring that sacrifice. Military obligation would educate all citizens about the role for a military presence to defend our freedoms, and engender a respect for military service to ensure the continuity of our precious privilege of liberty.
So, allow me then, some very brief arguments...
Canada has a long and respected history, both as a defender of freedom in the western world under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and as a participant in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping activities. These are our international obligations towards protecting the freedoms we so much enjoy, and it is our military personnel who bear the responsibility for safeguarding this privilege.
But often, many Canadians do not understand the responsibility of freedom in a free society, and the military's role in its preservation. Political debate in Canada rarely exhibits any generosity towards the military function, especially when it comes down to the allocation of closely-watched tax dollars under the national budget.
The Canadian military often finds itself short-changed budget-wise for manpower, resources, and equipment. It is often forced to use older equipment well past its best - before date to provide a less than adequate service in demanding circumstances. The Canadian UN mission in Rwanda and the unstoppable genocide that followed is an immediate example.
Further examples include the debates, delays and recriminations over renewal of supply ships for the Canadian Navy, the endless federal government dawdling in replacing and constructing icebreakers that will assert Canada's sovereignty in the Arctic, and the shameful state of the Canadian Air Force as it attempts to find a replacement for its aging CF-18 fighter jets.
Mandatory military service for all Canadian citizens between the ages of 18 - 50 on an annual three week basis would be an excellent step towards raising the consciousness of all citizens about the issues of national freedom and sacred sovereignty. Mandatory service would also reinforce the importance of an modern and effective military establishment in a democratic society in the minds of the people.
Moreover, a mandatory military requirement for a national population has worked well in nations like Switzerland and Israel. It provides the benefit of having trained military personnel available for the nation without having to bear the constant cost of a permanent military establishment.
Finally, history has shown us that some nations have used their military might to take what they wanted when they could not get it by peaceful means. As an unquestionable benefit, a nation with a population trained in military practices would give any militant nation considering the use of force upon us, reason to pause. That pause might give them the time to consider the use of negotiation and diplomacy for their needs, as opposed to a trampling of our freedom.
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Google Trends Search Engine Optimization (SEO) research September 22, 2018 for the words "Canadian, military, armed forces, service, mandatory, obligatory, and compulsory."
My SEO research began on a global basis, and was thereafter reduced in scope to Canada only, after certain words were tested in combination. One word, "service," had consistently high search rate hits. Globally, the word "service" had the highest score regionally (almost 99%) in France, Belgium and SE Asia.
Narrowing the optimization to Canada, the words "Canadian" [around 75%], "military" [around 30%] and "service" [around 80 - 90%], scored highest, again on a regional basis, led by searches initiated in Quebec, the Maritimes, and the Northwest Territories.
The SEO Post title for this blog thus became "Canadian Military Service".
Word Count = 577
I love how you started your post, the first sentence made me want to read more about what you were talking about. Although, I would have also focused on the present moment and not only history facts. I would try to prove that citizens nowadays are able and capable of going into the military force
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this, I think your opening statement was very captivating, and you made very logical points that got me thinking from a new point of view. I would have liked to have learned how the military now relates to what is was like throughout history, and how it has involved, such as women in the military.
ReplyDelete"This made some interesting points I'm sure most would not have considered, but I feel like it's lacking in some areas. For example, you named conflicts where Canada could've used a stronger military, but these were all decades ago, and nothing that implies we need the strength today. Also, if mandatory service worked well in other countries, why not provide sources for that? Speaking of sources, I don't understand why you sourced an American idiom. Also, you used the words "free" and "freedom" maybe a bit too many times; it became rather redundant. Besides all that though, good job! "
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with what David says in the second last paragraph of his blog that military training has worked out in some countries like Israel and Switzerland. Moreover, I think specific comparisons charts or some data between those countries with other countries should have supported the argument very profoundly, But other than that a well written and worth reading blog.
ReplyDeleteI liked reading this and I agree to some of the points that he was talking about. Yet I believe that he it was too repetitive for me to read. Also it wasn't as clear to me when it came down to the points to the argument.
ReplyDeleteI liked reading your blog posting. I disagree with mandatory annual military service though. Make it a one time deal that is 6 months to a year long at maximum. The complications of making 10's of thousands of people serve three weeks at a time every year is not worth the hassle it would take.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading David's blog post. I like the fact that he mentions how mandatory military service has worked well in Switzerland. One thing I would have like to seen, is maybe some proof on how it has worked well in Switzerland. Overall, clear and concise argument!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the points that were raised in this blog. I think you should space out the links into various paragraphs instead of adding a lot in just one paragraph.
ReplyDeleteLots of passion in this post. I found some of your points to be a bit dated in regards to comparing modern day to the past. Overall I do disagree.
ReplyDeleteIt is a lively and well-structured article. I enjoyed the reading. The picture may be a little bland for my taste but it fits in with the idea of the article. Good work
ReplyDelete