mandatory military service

fergus51 · Dec 31, 2002, 03:18 PM

Not in favour of it. We can't absorb a bunch of draft dodgers in Canada right now, we have our own problems.

Stargazer · Dec 31, 2002, 03:26 PM

Fergus--hence my plan, which gives them alternatives to draft-dodging!

rncountry · Dec 31, 2002, 04:36 PM

Mandatory service in a free country? Have problem with that. Does not matter if that is in the military or if that is in public service. Why reinstitute the draft? The only time I would see that as acceptable is if this country was threatened in the way we were in WWII. In case anyone doesn't realize it boy's have to still register for the draft, if you don't than you do not have access to student loans. I don't see how reinstituing the draft would be effective for anything. My family has a long history of military service, but not through the draft. I would never support the draft without a really, really good reason.

maureeno · Dec 31, 2002, 05:17 PM

when my husband applied for CO [conscientious objector] staus in 1967 he had ready a plan to serve two years working in a state mental hospital, he was turned down. His imprisionmet in a federal penitentiary gave pause to many otherwise supporters of the Vietman war.
Today the Selective Service sends right to your home a letter on the day after your 18th birthday reminding you to register. Males only.
Representative Rangel served in Korea. None of today's White House hawks served anywhere. I heard on the radio only 1 member of Congress has an enlisted family member. I have three cousins and one nephew now in uniform, one is in the Gulf another is on his way.
I think a citizen army would make US interests more pertinent, even today most Americans cannot find Afghanistan on the map. [by the way did you catch the news of an agrrement for a $3.2 billion oil pipeline, 1460 km, to run from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Pakistan? Go, go Unocal!]

rncountry · Dec 31, 2002, 06:14 PM

I'd rather go for an old fashioned sit in. If I want to risk going to jail, that is my choice, but I sure am not going to want someone making the choice to risk the same for any of my children. If my children want to join the service, that is their decision, but I don't want to see them forced to make a decision that could either put them on the war front or in jail so someone else can make a political statement.

*oramar* · Dec 31, 2002, 06:22 PM

As I remember, the sons of the rich and powerful found ways to wiggelwaggel out of military service during Korean and Vietnam War. If not out of military service completely they would get safe assignments. Case in point, Pat Robinson the TV preacher who used to brag about being a Korean war vet. Eventually other vets came forward and said that he had recieved special treatment because his daddy was a politician. This was investigated and found to be true. He was kept aboard a ship and even had body guards while he was in service. So, don't assume things will be more equitable if their is a draft.

ocankhe · Dec 31, 2002, 09:38 PM

Rep Wrangle is a decorated combat veteran of the Korean Conflict. He has a point about reinstituting the draft. I would support it or some other form of universal service. Freedom is nor free.

sanakruz · Dec 31, 2002, 09:38 PM

No, drafts are not equitable. I keep saying it's all about the money...We cant have "Guns and Butter" either
If the draft is reinstated you will see women included All those folks that believe there is such a thing as reverse sexism (or even reverse discrimination) will be screaming for it.

I remember hearing the draft lottery on the radio in the early 70's. DOB's we randomly assigned a # Day ,month and year. The lower the number the better the chance of being called up.

**prmenrs** · Dec 31, 2002, 11:10 PM

When my son turned 18, I went online and registered him for the draft. I figured what the heck, do my civic duty. But if they ever DO draft him, complete w/his VP shunt and IQ of 72 (just my luck the MD doing the physical would miss something obvious like scars), we are in such deep yogurt!!

As long as the military can get the people they need on a volunteer basis, WHY do we need a draft?

ocankhe · Jan 01, 2003, 08:01 AM

Why do we need a draft?
Because freedom is not free. We all have an obligation as citizens to defend this country in times of need. The draft only enlisted people when there weren't enough volunteers. It also makes the threat and participation in war real for almost every resident of the US as their blood will be on the line. They have an immediate stake in going to war or not. Maybe more than half the population would bother to vote? You can't go to war/continue in a war without the support of the people. The draft makes that decision very real.
The Air Force,Navy and Coast Guard to my knowledge never relied upon the draft as they always had enough volunteers. The Army and occassionally the Marines have needed to induct people.
And yes women should be included. Are they not citizens with all the obligations of citizenship? Women have participated in every war in our nations history and have an excellent record.
Rome build a civilization on its citizens army and began to fall when it developed a professional military that was not part and didn't reflect the ideals of its citizens. Our founding Fathers realized this and counseled against a standing Army, hence the militia.