The Draft

[Scarface98.9]

With the controversial Bush presidency being a big topic lately, here's another issue I wanna throw out in the woods: the draft. There's been a lot of talk about Bush reinstating the draft if/when he's re-elected, especially when I browse the net and find sites like this (http://www.vancouver.indymedia.org/news/2004/01/105146.php) and hearing from a guest on The Daily Show about the possibility of it coming back for the first time since Vietnam. I don't know how reliable this and other sites like it are in terms of truth, but all the ones I've found agree that it'd be put into effect in the spring of 2005. The fact it's something from Bush and put into use AFTER the election is not exactly coincidental.

Considering I'll be 18 in the spring of 2005, this is a big issue for me. What does everyone think? With the thinly-spread forces in Iraq, do you think this could possibly be passed? Would it be the right/wrong thing to do?

[Tom Samborski]

In every democracy, the draft is as undemocratic as it gets. Who the fuck has the right to tell people that they have to go to war or face the consequences? What kind of a politician has the right to tell people that not going to war is unpatriotic? No one. Absolutely no one. The U.S government has been saying that people should go to war to defend freedom, but isn't the right to choose freedom too?

As for the possibility of it being passed, I don't know if it will even be brought up, but with the Republicans now in control of Congress, who knows.

[Morgana]

I don't think the reaction would be any different from what it was during the Vietnam era. Some people would go, some would burn their draft cards, and some would flee to Canada. (And some would protest the mandatory draft. Moi. :))

Personally, I don't think the government should be able to force someone to fight, especially if it's a cause you don't believe in. And especially since the politicians won't be picking any guns up themselves.

I just don't think a mandatory draft is the right thing to do, and hopefully it won't even come up in Congress.

[chilli pepper]

NO. Terrible idea. Reminds me of the fact that when this does come up in conversations with my friends it always ends the same way 'Fuck it, were moving to canada'. I'm 100% agianst this, because I didnt support the war and i'm also a wuss who couldnt shoot a man to save his life.

[Scarface98.9]

To throw this out in the wind, I read that the USA and Canada have a policy now where if you commit a certain crime (I think) or dodge a mandatory draft, they can still go and hunt you down, as opposed to what happened with the Vietnam draft. So if you want to get away, the only other choice would be Mexico

[Goosey]

I'm not in favor of drafts, and would be astonished if this ever happens

[Tweek]

i dont have to worry about this personally unless disabled women were included


But what the fuck?
that would be the most fucked up thing... :mad: :mad:

[JohnTheHenchman]

The military is 100 percent volunteer. I'm sorry but the idea that the draft will ever be brought back is complete bullshit.

[BakeTheMooCow]

I doubt its going to happen

Notwithstanding recent stories in the news media and on the Internet, Selective Service is not getting ready to conduct a draft for the U.S. Armed Forces -- either with a special skills or regular draft. Rather, the Agency remains prepared to manage a draft if and when the President and the Congress so direct. This responsibility has been ongoing since 1980 and is nothing new. Further, both the President and the Secretary of Defense have stated on more than one occasion that there is no need for a draft for the War on Terrorism or any likely contingency, such as Iraq. Additionally, the Congress has not acted on any proposed legislation to reinstate a draft.

http://www.sss.gov

[Moviefan1234]

While it is very unlikely that the draft would happen, if our military was in such dire shape that they needed to use the draft, I'd support it. If it came down to us needing the draft to win a war, then I'd say we need to use it.

[JCR]

I doubt it'd ever happen, it would be political suicide for bush.

The concept amuses me in a way actually, because I doubt they had to deal with the obesity rates we have now last time they did it- picture Harry Knowles being drafted. Ha ha ha.

[ANavissi500]

Lemme spit out some facts that I have heard through the grapevine, though I can't source them...

- Draft would include women
- It is a period of 2 year service in a civilian or military position
- Canada would not be a safeharbor due to a deal Bush has made
- The draft board positions are filled

I am very VERY glad I have shit for eyesight but this still bothers me because of all of my friends. The civilian service thing may not be so bad, like Peace Corps or something, but required militray service, esp. for such a screwed up war like this should not be.

[loner]

Originally posted by Tom Samborski
As for the possibility of it being passed, I don't know if it will even be brought up, but with the Republicans now in control of Congress, who knows.

The Republicans huh?? It's amazing how the facts get so twisted and misinterpreted through the media.

There has been a lot of noise about the Bush administration reinstating the draft. Turns out that a bill was introduced in January of 2003 to reinstate the military draft, by none other than Democrat representative Charles Rangel.

Under his bill, the draft would apply to men and women ages 18 to 26; exemptions would be granted to allow people to graduate from high school, but college students would have to serve.
So while the Bush administration continues to state that there will be no draft…..it was a Democrat who began introducing bills to press you into service.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/01/07/rangel.draft/

[Tom Samborski]

Originally posted by loner
The Republicans huh?? It's amazing how the facts get so twisted and misinterpreted through the media.

There has been a lot of noise about the Bush administration reinstating the draft. Turns out that a bill was introduced in January of 2003 to reinstate the military draft, by none other than Democrat representative Charles Rangel.

Under his bill, the draft would apply to men and women ages 18 to 26; exemptions would be granted to allow people to graduate from high school, but college students would have to serve.
So while the Bush administration continues to state that there will be no draft…..it was a Democrat who began introducing bills to press you into service.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/01/07/rangel.draft/

Interesting. But by no means am I biased towards the Democrats. The reason why I mentioned "Republicans" is that I got the assumption that they would be more likely to reintroduce the draft than the Democrats. I guess both parties after all seem to want to introduce this thing.

[bankholdup]

I've never understood the draft. Why make someone do something they don't want to do (eg. fight)? The end result could, as we all know, be death.

Plus, to be perfectly honest, I would be scared shitless over there. I couldn't handle it. Perhaps I'm what one would call a "pussy", but show me someone who isn't afraid of death. Whether it be for the "good of the nation" or not, death is something I don't anticipate.

[ANavissi500]

I always thought that this would be a good idea because I know people out there that would serve if they were asked to serve and then there are people like me that wouldn't want to. Why not when we fill out a draft card have them ask us to rate our desire to serve on a scale 1-10 or so. Then if they needed people they could pull from the 10s and then the 9s.... As for it being a Democrat introducing the bill, I didn't really get why Rangel did it. I hope for the good of our nation that a military draft is not introduced. I have friends whose parents still reel from the ill effects of Vietnam.

[ANavissi500]

I just read the CNN article and I think that is kind of funny - Rangel is introing the bill so that the rich can serve, making Congress less likely to authorize action. Nice stuff.

[Scarface98.9]

Originally posted by bankholdup


Plus, to be perfectly honest, I would be scared shitless over there. I couldn't handle it. Perhaps I'm what one would call a "pussy", but show me someone who isn't afraid of death. Whether it be for the "good of the nation" or not, death is something I don't anticipate.
Same here. I wouldn't be able to handle it, and some would call me a pussy. I may be a pussy, but I'd be a pussy with 2 legs and a head still attached

[Thrizzle]

Wouldn't it be a little hypocritical for Bush to reinstate the draft?

That's why i wouldn't worry about it.

[bob]

Bush won't do it the rest of this year, because it would kill him in the election, and when Kerry's president, he won't do it at all, so I'm not too worried.

[Adornado]

The draft would be a scary, scary thing. Imagine, Going to a foreign country, saying goodbye to your loved ones, given a gun, boots and helmet and being forced to basically, kill or be killed.

I know I'm exaggerating slightly, but the draft is not something I'd want to happen.

[Lynn7]

I have heard that the military prefers a volunteer military becasue the members are much more dedicated than a drafted group of people who don't want to be there. Nevertheless, if we were under total chaos and it meant our country's survival I would be willing to pick up a gun to fight. I am a girl but I could and would learn how to shoot a gun to defend against anarchists.

I had a Jewish teacher (woman)who had to serve her few years in the Israli army- every citizen must serve over there. I think she was about 4 foot eleven in height. i can only imagine how funny it must have been to see her hauling around a gun.

In the history of the world there have always been wars but we have lived (our generation) in a mostly peaceful time. It is hard to come to terms with this kind of situation. People hoped that education and civilization would overcome these hostile ways of humanity but it is never to be- the world is a violent place.

[Neesh]

Much ado about nothing. Is a large scale war imminent? I dont think so. Though it's nice to hear some comments from youngsters who might be eligible. I think you can rest easy, my dorito eating, popcorn munching, movie loving friends.

And remember - the Revolution will not be televised. (But it will be a major motion picture.)

[jeo4]

If the draft is ever reinstated, it will spark outrage everywhere. Right now, there is no need. If we get done and get the hell out of Iraq, we still won't need it.

[ANavissi500]

Today 5600 former military men were mandatorily called back into active duty. Seems semi-drafty to me.

[Jim H]

Nevertheless, if we were under total chaos and it meant our country's survival I would be willing to pick up a gun to fight.

Yeah, I would too. That's pretty much the only time I think a draft should be instated - when the country's survival, or an entire chunk of the Earth (like World War II) is at stake. Which is definetly not the case here. The USA is not in danger of collapsing or being conquered at the moment, fortunately.

[Benny]

Well personally, I thought the Magic should have drafted Okafor instead of Howard, I think he would have been a better fit on the team...

Oh wait, wrong draft. As for the military draft, I think it shouldn't be reinstated, and it will not be reinstated. I don't imagine Bush doing it, especially after his "let freedom reign" a few weeks ago, and people still remember the backlash over Vietnam 30-35 years ago.

[Jon Lyrik]

Considering Bush's...erm...previous experiences in the military, I'd be surprised if he reinstated the draft. Still, I'd suggest crossing your fingers.