Fjordlandia Viking bar & kaffistove, main str. 221B, Needlehole [2]

Pettytyrant101 wrote:That looks so cool- like a massive starburst! Or was your sister driving so fast you hit hyperspace?!

i really hope they didn't drive fast... and i really hope my sister didn't drive and took the picture.

halfwise wrote:bye Norc.  It's been fun, we'll entertain ourselves with the more Southern Fjordlandians while you're gone.

i'm not going anywhere.

You're about to become one with the ice block that is your home. Once you thaw and your life functions have resumed we'll pick the conversation back up, okay?

I'm glad that we don't have mandatory service in America. I can see some of the arguments in favor of it, but I think that (at least in the case of America) we're better off without it. Although one of the problems with the all volunteer army is that they keep lowering the requirements to get into the army because they need people for the wars in Afghanistan and (until recently) Iraq, so you see more and more criminals and gang members getting into the army. But that's more of a problem with trying to fight a war without going on war footing than anything else.

I did have to register for the draft when I turned 18, and I have to keep the Draft Board informed of my whereabouts until I'm (IIRC) 25. Girls are exempt from this, though. They haven't prosecuted anyone for draft evasion since the '70s, but if you don't register you're automatically and permanently disqualified for certain government jobs, and as a political science major I wanted to keep my options open. I don't know what I'd do if a draft occurred in the next six years. I was raised a Quaker, who are one of the historic peace churches in the US and have a long history of conscientious objection. So I'd be expected by my family and many friends to refuse to serve (there would probably be alternative service available for conscientious objectors. That's been the case since WWII, although before then you were more likely to be imprisoned and possibly tortured). I'm unsure how I'd respond though, largely because I don't identify as a Quaker any more, but I would feel very uncomfortable morally with serving in the US Army.

oh you hippie.

Though I object to the often senseless killing that accompanies war, I also accept that a very strong military, used correctly, can prevent much bloodshed in an often crazy world.

I remember a friend of mine who had a military background went and tried to sign up again when Clinton finally authorized troops for Serbia.  He didn't like Clinton, but felt it was appropriate use of force and I agreed with him.  (he was rejected as too old).

The second Iraq war was simply wrong, though I think the first was well done. Textbook, in fact.  Afghanistan suffered from lack of force and concentration - sometimes the fewer soldiers you send the more people die. Some people are too dumb to read the textbook.

So on balance I agree with about half the battles the US fights, but think unless the country is truly under threat they should be fought by those who choose to do so.  And they deserve all the after service benefits they get for making that choice.  No complaints with recruitment at schools so long as they are honest.

Recruitment of minors really bothers me, although if my dad hadn't been convinced to join ROTC when he was 17 I likely wouldn't be here cause he never would have met my mom. Recruitment in general makes sense though. Service benefits should absolutely be a thing, too; I think the GI Bill in particular is one of the most important pieces of American legislation in the last hundred years.

I've seen two kinds of recruitment: quietly sitting behind tables waiting for people to approach, and actively participating in school life through ROTC programs. I looked down on ROTC when I was in college, but when I saw the positive impact a correctly designed ROTC program could have when teaching high school, I became a supporter.

Aggressive recruitment to minors I'm against, but so long as they simply let people approach I'm in favor.

{{{ have we Norced the Viking thread yet? I think at least one more must join in before it's official. }}}

NO BLOODY WELL HAVE NOT IT WAS ABOUT THE NORWEGIAN ARMY THIS IS JUST A MINOR DEVIATION!

{{{ Gee Eldo, maybe we should go off and Norc another thread where the inhabitants are less touchy. }}}

 

Actually, I might have to take the blame for that Halfwise. I responded to Petty asking Norc if she had been drafted into the army and I only now realise it was on the completely wrong thread.  

Still it has lead to a stimulating discussion, non.

Norc wrote:it keeps snowing and hailing and it is ridiculous. the windows at my school were snowed down and there is snow on the walls.. and from the five minutes it took walking from my bus stop (had to take another buss) my face was numb and i couldn't feel my thighs.. 
just to show.. my sister took this picture out of the front window of the while driving home.

Wow, wouldn't like to be driving in that weather.  

Hopefully you won't get completely burried, though maybe you'll get a go at the snow record this year?

At least it must be glorious weather to sit inside with a cup of kakao looking out of the window at in.  

weeeeell.. i guess..

oh you hippie. - Norc


   

What a strange country.

http://www.vg.no/nyheter/vaer/artikkel.php?artid=10133419

Yep, they even talk funny.

 

Well. You might have to qualify that statement by saying which part if you want to give it any real sting. With the amounts and variabilty of dialects in this country it's a bit like saying the english speaking world sounds funny.  

he finds the R's weird. or sexy, can't remember...

Its Halfy we are talking about- my moneys on him finding them sexy  

I found the rolled R's to be a safety hazard.  But you all talk like you're one step west of the Swedish Chef.

Bluebottle wrote: 

Well. You might have to qualify that statement by saying which part if you want to give it any real sting. With the amounts and variabilty of dialects in this country it's a bit like saying the english speaking world sounds funny.  

the British speaking world does all sound funny.  But they can't hold a candle to you Fjordians.  I'm sure the vikings were quite terrifying until they got to the war cry bit.  Then it was all "Angrep! Drepe! ...Bjork!!" and the English all fell over laughing and were slaughtered.

weell.. u haven't heard a northerner  you'de be terrified

also.. swedish chef <3

Pettytyrant101 wrote:That looks so cool- like a massive starburst! Or was your sister driving so fast you hit hyperspace?!

Love that you said that, Petty When I was a kid, maybe 5 or 6, and sat in the front seat I used to imagine that we went into hyperspace when the snow came rushing against the windshield like that Once a nerd, always a nerd

aw, that's so cute ^^

halfwise wrote:"Angrep! Drepe! ...Bjork!!"

That's actually quite insightfull, Halfwise. Picking up on the fact that the people in question wouldn't be speaking norwegian at all, but norrønt. Which is quite similar to the language spoken on Iceland, where Bjørk is from.