SOLDIERS ARE NOT PAWNS

September 12, 2012

On August 30, 2012, my post was about private Kimberly Rivera who defected to Canada form the USA in February 2007. I gave some suggestions on how national systems could show soldiers more respect and safeguard their dignity. They do after all risk a great deal for the civilian population. Medals are charming things, but if the state is going to honour soldiers thus, and then abuse them in a dozen different ways, it might as well hammer the medals on to their chests with blunt nails.

Of course David Cameron, the British Prime Minister, has better things to do than read my humble Blog. Things like: apologising for events that are so far removed as not to tarnish him with association, while giving the impression that he really does give a damn. But who knows, maybe he did come across it. There he was, browsing on StumbleUpon, when suddenly:

"Hey, Sammy, check this out. Some dude has written something about giving more rights to soldiers. Well, that's something I had not thought about. I don't like the idea of giving them more, but if we took every one of their rights away, then they would not expect that should be entitled to any in the first place. Let me see... Hmm... By George, I think I've got it! They're not allowed to strike, so let us use them to replace all those left-leaning strikers who think they can hold us to ransom for better pay and conditions. Perfect, we can give them a bit of training, and they can become our firemen, doctors, train drivers, teacher, pilots... at the drop of a hat. Why, they could even take on Episcopal duties, if necessary..."

There you have it, the final indignity for soldiers: being used as scabs, whether they like it or not; and the nation exposed to even greater risks.

Let's hope bird-flu does not catch on, or Mr Cameron will have soldiers laying eggs next.