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Ladskater
Guest
Here Is Some "Food For Thought!"
If Draft Were Reinstated, Who Would Go?
By Cathryn Conroy, Netscape News Editor
Although a bill that would reinstate the military draft is languishing in the House of Representatives, it's been deemed politically dead. Sponsored in the House by Democrats Charles Rangel of New York and John Conyers of Michigan and in the Senate by South Carolina Democrat Ernest "Fritz" Hollings, the bill would dramatically change how the draft works if it ever did Who would go if the draft were reinstated by the Rangel-Hollings bill? All men and women aged 18 to 26 who do not have a physical or mental disability would be required to serve two years in military service; if they were not selected for the military, they would serve two years in national service in a civilian capacity. There would be no exceptions made for those in college, but students still in high school would be allowed to graduate before starting their service. Although the draft was abolished in 1973, almost all men, including male non-citizens living in the United States, are required to register with the Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18.
The Bush administration has dismissed the idea of a military draft, saying it's not necessary since the current volunteer force is working well. But that hasn't stopped Rangel and Conyers. Why? "It has unfortunately become the duty of someone else's child to go to war and die as the privileged evade the tragic consequences of war," Conyers said in a statement reported by Reuters. Joining this very small bandwagon is Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) who told the San Jose Mercury News that a draft is needed to make sure that all segments of society--racially and economically--share the burdens and sacrifices of war. He did admit he doesn't expect the bill will pass.
Ladskater
PS - I thought the US learned about the folly of war from Viet Nam.
If Draft Were Reinstated, Who Would Go?
By Cathryn Conroy, Netscape News Editor
Although a bill that would reinstate the military draft is languishing in the House of Representatives, it's been deemed politically dead. Sponsored in the House by Democrats Charles Rangel of New York and John Conyers of Michigan and in the Senate by South Carolina Democrat Ernest "Fritz" Hollings, the bill would dramatically change how the draft works if it ever did Who would go if the draft were reinstated by the Rangel-Hollings bill? All men and women aged 18 to 26 who do not have a physical or mental disability would be required to serve two years in military service; if they were not selected for the military, they would serve two years in national service in a civilian capacity. There would be no exceptions made for those in college, but students still in high school would be allowed to graduate before starting their service. Although the draft was abolished in 1973, almost all men, including male non-citizens living in the United States, are required to register with the Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18.
The Bush administration has dismissed the idea of a military draft, saying it's not necessary since the current volunteer force is working well. But that hasn't stopped Rangel and Conyers. Why? "It has unfortunately become the duty of someone else's child to go to war and die as the privileged evade the tragic consequences of war," Conyers said in a statement reported by Reuters. Joining this very small bandwagon is Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) who told the San Jose Mercury News that a draft is needed to make sure that all segments of society--racially and economically--share the burdens and sacrifices of war. He did admit he doesn't expect the bill will pass.
Ladskater
PS - I thought the US learned about the folly of war from Viet Nam.
