Should We Prepare For War?

[howitzer]

Reading on the bbc website that a general in the Bristish army stated that they should prepare for war and create a citizen army https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68086188

"This is not the first time Gen Sir Patrick has warned of the increasing threat of war and expressed concerns about Britain's lack of readiness.

On Wednesday, the outgoing Chief of the General Staff (CGS) said Russia's war in Ukraine was about much more than seizing territory, saying it was about defeating our system and way of life."

Considering that our army personnel numbers are dropping, should we consider creating a citizen army of our own?

Also considering that the Swedish government has called for their population to be prepared for war?

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/2024 ... -criticism

Is this all hyperbole or is there an argument to be made in increasing our defence capabilities?

Thoughts?

[Simon J]

Why would you fight for a country and Govt that has consistently refused and banned you from having any sort of "military grade weapons" as a civilian as they don't trust you to own and use these peacefully in peacetime, but are happy to make you use one if there is a war?

[howitzer]

Well, you would be fighting for your country, not necessarily for the current government, against a foreign power. Would you allow another country to take us over because you disagree with the current governments approach to owning weapons?

[12gauge]

Will never happen.The Irish gov wants to disarm citizens NOT arm them.

[Simon J]

Well, you would be fighting for your country, not necessarily for the current government, against a foreign power. Would you allow another country to take us over because you disagree with the current governments approach to owning weapons?

Already are occupied if you haven't noticed...by Brussels.

[howitzer]

Well, you would be fighting for your country, not necessarily for the current government, against a foreign power. Would you allow another country to take us over because you disagree with the current governments approach to owning weapons?

Already are occupied if you haven't noticed...by Brussels.

A lot of people wouldn't see our relationship with the EU that way. Ireland is a very pro-EU country:

https://eurireland.ie/2021/05/12/2577/

"75% of respondents from Ireland have a positive image of the EU, the highest proportion of Irish people saying this since autumn 2004, with Ireland ranking second highest across the EU Member States."

Russian aggression is what the leaders of Sweden and the British army fear. Is this something we should be worried about? Ireland has for a long time been the weak link in the EU with our lack of investment in the military, Russia clearly see us as weak after the Russian navy exercises carried out in our waters plus their air force entering our air space on more than one occasion.

[Simon J]

I'm hardly surprised as the Irish sold themselves prettyyy cheaply for some EU baubles and trade beads.But then again we have a slave mentality anyway.We swapped the crown for the Harp and the crozier of the Vatican for most of our time post-independence,and now have sold ourselves back into bondage in an EU superstate where any grants and loans we got we have long paid back with interest,and are now selling ourselves further into a EU military alliance without debate or knowledge of the consequences.but Hey that was in the Neice treaty...Remember the one that gobshite Bertie Aherne told us not to worry about?As he hadn't read it himself...

Also Vladdie doesn't have to send whatever few bits of armies post Ukraine he has left to "Red Dawn" us in Ireland.All he needs is a bunch of 19-year-old hackers in St Petersburg to fuk us over by screwing up the Dept of Social welfare,the ESB ,Bord Gais and other critical infrastructure along FB,X and all the other multi nationals sitting here in Dublin to really stir the pot and create chaos in Irish society.

[Simon J]

TBH,IF we were going to prepare for war.Ireland would be better off adapting a Swiss version of defence, relying highly on guerrilla warfare in an occupied country to make the country ungovernable and not worth the game and cost to hold for whatever reason in manpower and expense.Building up an army with a load of high tech gear is not going to solve our defence as any invading force will have to have a 4to1 advantage over us and no matter how good the gear it won't be enough to repl an invading force from getting a foothold.Investing it in gureilla training,setting up proper organisational structures,caches of arms and equipment and training everyone in active and passive sabotage would be better money spent in Irelands case.