Net Addiction Gets Finnish Soldiers Out Of Army

nerdb0t writes "Reuters is reporting that the Finnish Defense Forces have allowed some men to be excused from military service because of 'Internet Addiction.' The service period is 6 months - but that's too long away from the internet for these guys. Is this a joke? Is this a legitimate illness? Hm..where can I apply for disability..."

Comments

Re:Cure?

[Spua7]

Sorry I have to fullfill my addiction: You said "Duty"

Not just Bush

[Jeppe Salvesen]

America is hated for its arrogance and its selfishness.

Thanks to organized farm lobbies in the western countries (and probably concerns of strategic resources), there have been set up trade barriers that limit importing food from developing countries, while our subsidized produce is being exported to those countries. Not only do we refuse to buy their goods, but we export subsidized produce to them that thanks to those subsidies is cheaper than their domestic wares. Why do they put up with it? Since the alternative is even worse - not being able to export anything to the Western countries.

Basically, we cannot be expected to be loved when we actively make life hard for poor people in the above described fashion..

Oh - and exporting western culture into societies where decency is still a virtue is not a good idea either, that tends to rub people in power the wrong way..

Basically, if America and the West want to be loved, we need to see things their way too and come up with compromises where both sides make sacrifices..

Re:Not just Bush

[Dogtanian]

Let's also consider this, however; Jerry Pournelle (Byte)- I believe it was- pointed out the problem with outsourcing America's production of important stuff to countries like China.

I think he also used the example of production in Europe (e.g. what if production of XYZ is against a European law that says you can't produce XYZ if it is used for immoral purposes), but frankly, China is the main issue here, as they are far more likely to be America's enemies in a war, and they produce a mind-boggling quantity of.... everything, basically.

Now, if there was a problem with China, what sort of situation would America be in? Food is important, sure, but it's not the only consideration.

Re:Not just Bush

[RWerp]

Eliminating world povery is also a matter of national security.

Mitnick used this as his excuse...

[JeffTL]

...to reduce his sentence, as I recall. Back before any judges could tell it's a crock.