Young people fear return of military draft

[bluestateguy]

Giancarlo Marotti not only sensed fear inside Fairfield Warde High School teacher Amy Handy's advanced placement English class, he saw it and he touched it, too. So did the rest of his classmates.

The assignment this particular day was for students to bring in an object that for them symbolized fear. Marotti arrived at the first-period class with a newspaper photograph of an American soldier in Iraq.

"It was at a lookout camp. He looked tense, tired, too, maybe," Marotti said. "It scared me because I looked at this picture and I think, 'This could be me. This could be me in less than two years because I will be 18 and out of high school."'

Around Marotti, many other juniors in Handy's classroom are aware that two bills in Congress aim to reinstate the military draft could conscribe them to a two-year tour of duty. And unlike the draft during the Vietnam era, as one of the bills is presently worded, the Universal National Service Act would contain no exemption for college students.

more

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ct-fea--draftfear0617jun17,0,1508650.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

[BrotherBuzz]

1. It's a start...

but I fear that a significant portion of the young population doesn't see the train barreling down the track, the train that will haul them away.

[GarySeven]

14. Let's try to remember ...

that our natural dislike of a draft serving an incompetent and harmful foreign policy can actually be exploited by the very "evildoers" this bunch uses to justify its incompetent and harmful foreign policy. In other words, we shouldn't reflexively condemn the entire concept of a draft just because it has been misused in the past. (We're assuming, of course, that any draft would obligate social classes at equally.)People who wish us ill should know that when our interests are directly and clearly threatened we will sacrifice anything to preserve our way of life.

[BrotherBuzz]

16. Let's talk draft when....

our intrests are really directly and clearly threatened. In my opinion, no valid case for a draft has been made by any adminstration since FDR's. We can, and will reinstate the draft for defense purposes, but we can never allow it for a premptive war that we have no business fighting.

[GarySeven]

17. I agree, but ...

a knee-jerk anti-draft sentiment (not that this characterizes you) by some in our party whenever the idea comes up can play into the hands of real enemies. One of the uncomfortable facts of history is that however justified was the anti-war movement during Vietnam --and it WAS justified -- the movement, to a limited extent, aided a strategic goal of the Viet Cong to demoralize and cause political division. This does NOT mean that we should abandon the moral imperative to oppose an unjust war, but we should be cognizant such actions could be exploited this way.

I am not so much fearful of AQ exploiting the anti-war movement as I am the Bushies. I fully believe they will blame any antiwar movement here as a justification for further imprudent and rash military activity and internal suppression of dissent by claiming AQ has "infiltrated" our domestic movement. And because it is in AQ's interest to do so, the Bushites just might "find" one or two AQ operatives in our ranks.

The fact that the administration no more respects the freedom of dissent than do our adversaries requires us in the opposition to use caution. But we are morally required to oppose, notwithstanding the risks.

[BrotherBuzz]

19. Hmmm, I mostly agree...

and that was after writing a long rant attacking your ideas until I reread your post and digested it fully. Sorry.

I feel you give too much credit to the Viet Cong and their ability to demoralize the US during that period. All the anti-war propaganda was generated by our country to vilify the enemy, and the Viet Cong, by default, were only too happy to accept credit when our government failed in the propaganda department. We had imperialistic intent no matter how you dress the pig, plain and simple.

"If you're not with us, you're against us" is lousy foreign policy.

Oh, Welcome to DU!

[GarySeven]

37. Thanks, but ...

the issue isn't the effectiveness of Viet Cong strategy over the anti-war movement; I just think we should acknowledge the VC had a vested interest in the success of the movement. Again, this does not mean the opponents of the war were not morally required to oppose it. If AQ has a vested interest in our opposition to a new draft, that doesn't mean we shouldn't oppose a draft. It does mean, however, that we must ensure AQ does not profit by it. They should know that without the draft our military effort will be 100 percent against them (without diversions into other countries).

[saigon68]

32. Welcome to Du

Glad to have you here :-) :-)

A draft can only succeed in a popular and just war. This "ADVENTURE" will never be just or popular.
A draft under these circumstances is a VERY VERY bad idea.

[struggle4progress]

2. Important!

The Bushistas are denying this in every possible forum. Meanwhile, they're lining up their ducks.

[sweetness]

22. My wife has been

selected to be on our local draft board. She starts training in October ......

[struggle4progress]

43. Many people here will be interested to hear about her experiences.

[sweetness]

45. I hope

that she will post here herself but if not I will relay her experiences. I talked her into it because I was not eligible (felony possession 20 years ago) I am curious to see what the make-up of the group will be. We live in a heavily republican county but we also have several colleges and a large university.

[FlemingsGhost]

3. Overheard from two 16-17 year old boys outside the mall:

Teen #1: "Yo! I gotta get me some dog tags.

Teen #2: Yeah ... that'd be cool."

No joke. I snickered to myself. Poor dumb bastards ...

[infidel2]

4. draft

The proposed draft bill in congress was sponsored by Democrats Charles Rangle and Fritz Hollings. The Bush administraion said over and over it has no plans to draft. Anyone know why Rangle and Hollings did this? I am really concerned!

[JaySherman]

5. Welcome to DU!

Rangel introduced it before the war. He said his reason was to spark a discussion and make people think twice about going to war if their kids had to fight. Personally I think he's a idiot for doing it. It's opened a pandora's box, and if a draft happens you can take it to the bank that Rangel's political career will be finished. He'll never be elected to public office again, which also means his House seat will most likely go to a rethug.

[Jane Eyre]

6. It's about sharing the burden

Charlie Rangel is on record supporting this bill because he doesn't want Bush's war to rely on having a steady stream of poor boys go for soldiers. He initiated the draft bill because he believes that everyone from all classes of society must be required to participate if we are going to have a war. Rangel voted against the war, by the way.

Of course, he also knows that the rich will support the war only if their own offspring are safely protected from having to serve. A draft cutting across all segments of society, with no college exemptions, means that rich boys will have to go. Only then will their rich parents understand the true cost of going to war.

[latebloomer]

13. It won't work that way

Rich people will ALWAYS find a way to avoid sacrificing THEIR precious children--be it a doctor's note or a cushy homefront job.

It DOES make some sense in terms of mobilizing the middle class and the campuses.

In theory, that is. As the mother of a 12-year-old I abhor the idea.

[Rebellious Republican]

34. Thats easy, to push the debate to the forefront where everyone

can see it. Bush is trying to hide the fact that he plans on conscripting young Americans after he is reselected. He does not want this issue in the public eye, if enough draft age people are aware that they may have to see the war up close and personal instead of watching safely from their couch on Faux news, why they might just vote against the "WAR" President. Pretty damn good strategy if you ask me. Yes, lets bring the draft debate out into the open and let all the boys and girls and mothers and fathers and husbands and wives and brothers and sisters and sons and daughters know that that may have to go and put their lives on line to defend corporate profits. Shout it loud so everyone can hear! No I am not for this war, but it is time for a wake up call, before November, we can not allow Bush a free pass on this subject!

[struggle4progress]

44. I think it's really dishonest to blame this on Rangle and Hollings

The Administration budget contains money for draft reinstatement preparation.

[arwalden]

7. Then Young People Need To Get To The Voting Booths...

-- Allen

[KamaAina]

8. ...and vote for John Kerry!

Kerry alone has a realistic chance of taking the White House back from the usurper and putting and end to the PNAC plans of world domination, which include, obviously, the draft.

[happynewyear]

9. they'll all go to Canada except

this time around, the Canadians don't want us anymore either. Scrap that idea; now what?

What a fine pickle * has gotten us into! :grr:

[mom-mad-about-bush]

10. I didn't raise my kids and keep them safe all their life so my gov.....

can take them when they turn 18 and send them off to be killed. I am a PEACEFUL person, I raised my kids to find peaceful solutions to problems. As a mom I now fear my own government more than any terrorist.

[xxqqqzme]

15. we hear U.

BTW, welcome to DU.

make that 3 welcomes!

[calimary]

20. I hear ya. I feel the same way.

I WILL NOT feed my children into their meat grinder! And welcome to DU from me, too!

[mom-mad-about-bush]

11. I didn't raise my kids and keep them safe all their life so my gov.....

can take them when they turn 18 and send them off to be killed. I am a PEACEFUL person, I raised my kids to find peaceful solutions to problems. As a mom I now fear my own government more than any terrorist.

[mom-mad-about-bush]

12. I didn't raise my kids and keep them safe all their life so my gov.....

can take them when they turn 18 and send them off to be killed. I am a PEACEFUL person, I raised my kids to find peaceful solutions to problems. As a mom I now fear my own government more than any terrorist.

[Democat]

18. Vote against Bush!

Let's see if we can get these kids out to the voting booth.

[uptown ruler]

21. my draft board member application came this week...

it has begun...


Spread the Word
CausePimpingThePeopleAin’tEasy

[sweetness]

23. See post above and

get that application in quick!! The man who called my wife to tell her that her application was accepted seemed anxious to fill the positions quickly. Good luck!!

[uptown ruler]

24. where to apply

Board Member Application


Spread the Word
CausePimpingThePeopleAin’tEasy

[sweetness]

25. Thanks for posting this link!!

The application packages only take a few weeks to get back to you!!

[Mississippi Liberal]

28. Yes, thanks for the link

I just sent my application in.

[uptown ruler]

29. it took about six weeks to get my application

and about two hours to mail it.


Spread the Word
CausePimpingThePeopleAin’tEasy

=)

[wellst0nev0ter]

26. What's The Big Deal?

All they have to do is act gay in front of the draft board, and you'll get an instant deferment :)

[uptown ruler]

27. the big deal...

this is straight from my board member information booklet.

"There are two types of classifications. They are "Administrative" and "Judgemental." Administrative claims are either granted or denied by compensated pesonnel assigned to an Area Office. If his claim is denied, the registrant may request a review by his Local Board. Judgemental claims will be brought before the Local Boards for initial consideration. If his claim is denied, the resitrant may request a higher level review from the District Appeal Board.

The following is a list of the Judgemental Classisfications:

1-A-O Conscientious objector available for noncombatant military
service only
1-O Conscientious objector to all military service
2-AM Essentiality of Occupation (health care only)
2-D Deferred because of study preparing for the ministry
3-A Deferred because of hardship to dependents
4-D Minister of religion.


Spread the Word
CausePimpingThePeopleAin’tEasy

[midnight armadillo]

If there is a draft...

Well, at 29 I'm too old, but if a draft is in effect in 17.25 years when my son turns 18 my family and I will be living in Canada. After the past 50 years of insane 'national security' oriented foreign policy in this country I don't trust any US government to use the military wisely or sanely.

[phantom power]

31. I wouldn't assume 29 is too old

I've heard they are considering people up to 35. However, they traditionally target younger people first.

[midnight armadillo]

30. If there is a draft...

Well, at 29 I'm too old, but if a draft is in effect in 17.25 years when my son turns 18 my family and I will be living in Canada. After the past 50 years of insane 'national security' oriented foreign policy in this country I don't trust any US government to use the military wisely or sanely.

[geniph]

33. My stepsons will go only after the Bush twins!

and every member of Congress who has a draft-age child can send their pampered prodigy, too. If my stepsons go, by god, then these silver-spoon brats can go learn to do pushups too.

[The Blue Knight]

35. I'm in high school, and here's some perspective...

Most kids in my school...the only thing they care about concerning politics is the draft. 95% of the kids in my school like/dislike Kerry/Bush because their parents do.

The draft is the only thing they pay attention to, because in their eyes, it's the only thing that pertains to them...I don't worry about a draft, because, well, I already enlisted in the Army so this is a non-issue for me.

There are dumb ass kids who don't see it coming, and it'll be interesting when the local Army/Marine/Navy/Air Force recruiter comes to their door says, "You're coming with me."

[phantom power]

36. Senate votes to add 20,000 troops to Army

June 18, 2004 | WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defying the Bush administration, the Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to add 20,000 troops to an Army stretched thin by the war in Iraq and other commitments around the world.

The 93-4 vote in the Republican-led Senate -- following a similar action by the House -- reflected the anxieties lawmakers have been hearing from families of service personnel whose tours in Iraq keep getting extended and whose return to civilian life is repeatedly postponed.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said the lack of troops at the end of major combat in Iraq cost the military an opportunity to stop the violence that continues today.

"We didn't have enough people on the ground, and now we are paying a very, very heavy price for that incredible mistake on the part of the civilian leadership in the Pentagon of the United States of America,'' he said.
http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2004/06/18/army/index.html

[GarySeven]

38. Don't worry

all you will have to do to avoid the draft is do one of the following:

A -- Prove you are a Christian
B -- Cut down a giant redwood
C -- Contract yourself overseas to Halliburton
D -- Register as a Republican

[Vext]

39. My daughter turns 18 in a few days

so this is very real to me.

I don't want her killed, maimed or mentally screwed up by witnessing atrocities or comrades killed. Not for a bogus stupid war like Iraq II.

When she was in high school I practically forced her to write a paper on the draft during the Viet Nam war. (She was looking around for a topic). So she knows a little about it.

She's planning on voting for Kerry. And she may even go to the June 26 Kerry house party.

I don't think she would be a very good soldier. She's in pretty good shape, but she really doesn't have much upper arm strength. Kick a soccer ball at her and she squeals and ducks.

She attends UC Santa Cruz, so there are lots of like minded kids there. But I'm not sure how politically active they are. Hopefully things will perk up there in the fall.

[potatohead96]

40. I know I'm gonna get yelled at for this.

I happen to think that reinstating the draft is a good thing. I honestly feel that some form of military service should be a requirement for continued citizenship just as it is in Israel. Also, if there is an actual and tangible possibilty that war will be down the pike it may inspire some of those directly effected to be more politically involved.

As for the righteousness of this particular war, let's just not go there.

[struggle4progress]

42. I think a requirement for "national service" (not necessarily military) ..

would be appropriate. We Americans should care about our country and be willing to serve it. I think I also agree with you about the political significance of compulsory service: it tends to limit war-mongering.

And welcome to DU! :toast:

[uptown ruler]

41. Apply to Be A Local Draft Board Member!

friends,

should it, could it, will it, won't it? whose to say, but one thing that ppl can do is get involved, directly involved - and you can do it here.

Apply HERE!


Spread the Word
CausePimpingThePeopleAin’tEasy

[CRK7376]

46. It's not just the young

that are afraid of a reinstated draft but we older folks too. At least I worry about it sucking in my 15 year old son in a few years if the legislation were to pass...Ok if he wants to volunteer etc...but to draft...time will tell, sure hope it doesn't come to that but the way Shrub is running through the military, involuntarily extending the lenght of many service men and women's enlistments....It blows!