"it was my idea first'' with the very strange concept that young Bermudians should be dragooned into a "youth corps''. It might have been reasonable to expect politicians to deny rather than claim ownership of such a repressive idea. Who thought the idea up first is only political trivia because it is equally awful no matter who takes the credit.

There is absolutely nothing we can find in recent Bermudian events to suggest that young Bermudians would be interested in having their lives disrupted by service in a "youth corps'' or that many young Bermudians would be willing to join such a scheme. The whole reactionary idea smacks of big brother, who thinks he knows best, trying to get "those young layabouts'' in line. We suspect that in some quarters it may also involve some very nasty racial thoughts.

A Country which in 1993 still inflicts military service and the draft on its young men should have enough social conscience not to suggest yet another disruptive and regimented organisation. There is some slight excuse for asking young Bermudians to play weekend soldier in that Bermuda has a commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, although the value of that after the Cold War is thoroughly doubtful.

We have to think that instead of being concerned about the causes of social problems, both parties have decided a "youth corps'' is a quick and easy way to whip young people into shape. The UBP has already said that these young people "desperately need positive direction''. We think the idea is designed to drill young people away from drug abuse, pack racing, wall sitting and whatever else the parties see as a problem, rather than addressing the causes of such problems. Of course, the corps might backfire and turn out to be a good classroom for such things as sex and drugs, and even rebellion.

We think both political parties really want control of young people until they can "make a man of them''. Politicians may hope to "get them young'' and there may be some intent to get hold of the mind as well as the body and drill in some UBP or PLP philosophy. First control the body and then get the mind, revolutions have been fought over that idea.

What the concept really says to us is that both political parties have repressive elements who would make the young people march, sit up straight and behave properly, rather than grow naturally. It is strange and forgetful thinking which leads adults to believe that if you put young people under tough discipline they will be better off. What happens to those who rebel, or protest or just do not attend? Maybe the "youth corps'' could throw them in the crowded jail like the Bermuda Regiment does. We see this as the same kind of thinking as that which advocates flogging to cure social ills. It is very difficult for us to believe that the PLP, which has complained so often and rightly about the number of young blacks in prison, would now want to put young people in a youth corps.

The concept would also present a nightmare of logistical problems. It seems that the UBP wants it to be compulsory and the PLP, to its credit, does not.

If compulsory, service in the "youth corps'' would be another threat hanging over young Bermudian men who are already faced with the draft. If it is not compulsory, it will appeal largely to a motivated group of energetic young people who already have "positive direction''.

"Force them to do it'' is not an answer, although it may appeal to politicians who like a quick fix. We fear something more sinister. It all smells of the Hitler Youth and the idea is unworthy of either party. It is certainly unworthy of serious consideration by Bermuda.

Bermuda should be trying to create a kinder, more caring and more responsive country which does not seek to lock young people up, either in prison or a "youth corps''.