Well I guess at this point we can just about rule out a military draft

[NNN0LHI]

Any politician suggesting we need one now will be tarred and feathered immediately.

Don

[Marr]

1. Well, it's either a Draft or we pull out of Iraq.

I'd agree that the Draft is much less likely now that Bush has become political poison, but still- anyone arguing that we need to stay in Iraq is going to have to argue for a Draft. There just aren't enough soldiers to do the job.

[petepillow]

2. don't sound so disappointed!

The fact that we kept pressing the issue is the biggest reason why it's never happened...

on edit: yet!

[redqueen]

3. Not a full out draft... just a "special skills" draft.

I think they'd still do it. They'll just be much more careful with the 'setting the stage' phase this time.

[stop the bleeding]

5. You are correct there is still a "skills" draft on the table that can be

put into place at anytime, for example they could have a draft involving medical people for that type of situation.

[MADem]

10. They are doing it, with targeted recalls of retirees!

Old bums like me are being hauled back--I know a few of them, and they are not happy. If you are a thoracic surgeon, an eye doctor/surgeon, or have arabic language skills, and they haven't gotten ya yet, they will, eventually!

It makes it difficult to plan, because there's always that loony in the White House dangling a sword over their heads....

[liberallady]

4. I hate to be the one to say it

I hate to be the one to say it but I think that reinstating the draft will be a terrifying reality. There aren't enough troops to do the job and you know Bush would rather die a painful death than end the war.

[GreenPartyVoter]

19. Welcome to DU *wave*

[newyawker99]

23. Hi liberallady!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[triguy46]

6. The draft suggestion by dems...

was a texas holdem stare em in the eyes dare. If you're gonna fight a war, time to start sending some country club suburban kids over there instead of college rather than relying on the poor saps who joined the guard to be able to pay for their community college tuition.

[imouttahere]

8. Two things...

country club kids will NEVER go over there...they'll get out or be allowed out somehow. Secondly, it is my belief that BushCo doesn't care about the troop levels - they will fight the next war with whatever they've got. After all, when has BushCo ever demonstrated that they care about the troops??? No armor for the vehicles, no attendance at funerals, etc. They will just engage in bombing campaigns where they can't have adequate troop levels. I honestly believe that they don't care about success on the ground, just that they keep the war perpetual.

[triguy46]

24. I can kinda go along...

Initially during Nam, the exemptions for college and family were heavily in favor of white, wealthy kids not going. AFter about 69 when the college exemption got dropped, it got much more tense for everyone, since it was lottery driven. that said, it was a war heavily dependent on minorities and middle and lower income kids, (really, kids, 19 year olds) who ended up in the line of body bags. So, so frickin sad.

With that history in mind, I do feel that a draft would have an immediate impact upon the chickenhawk nation. It might still be disproportionate, but it would have an impact. IMHO, it would be the single act that would get us out the quickest.

[imouttahere]

25. That's helpful historical perspective, triguy46...

I didn't realize that after '69 the draft was lottery-driven. If there is a draft, I hope it does have at least some impact on the chickenhawks. But you can understand my skepticism.

[NNN0LHI]

28. College deferments didn't end until 1972. Not about 1969 as you suggest

The draft ended in 1973 the same year "peace with honor" was negotiated in Paris. I would have become eligible to be drafted in 1974.

And anyone who thinks it would have been a good idea to force me or any other person to go off and kill or be killed either back then or right now can kiss my ass.

Don

[triguy46]

30. You're right, my apologies...

Is 69 right for the lottery style draft? I quit watching in 1971 when I got my number. Are you ready for this? 365.

[BrotherBuzz]

31. First draft lottery was held 2 December 1969

Graduate school deferments ended in 1968, and that date might have stuck in your mind causing the confusion in your first post. 365? Cripes, I was in your same lottery cycle and I didn't fare as well. Only lottery I ever won.

[xray s]

7. With so many desperate and lost young people you may never need one

A newspaper article the other day told about a young man agreeing to go into the Marines in exchange for reduced charges in a sexual assault and drug case.

The article said the Marines had nothing to do with the agreement between the prosecutor and the man involved.

[imouttahere]

12. I agree, the desperate or stupid....

will continue to enlist.

[Dulcinea]

13. That probably happens a lot.

A guy I know, who was in trouble with the law through most of his childhood, was ordered by a judge to join the Army or go to jail.
He chose the Army.

[unrepuke]

18. Yes, I've known several. During Vietnam there ws a lot of that. Even

my dad, in prison on a murder rap, was offered release if he joined the Army in WW2. The Gov. claims that was never so, but he did - went to Germany for 2 years and came home afterwards, free & clear - except for the felony sheet.

[MindPilot]

14. Military service instead of jail time is discrimination

against law-abiding citizens.
I can remember how disgusted i was when I discovered that I was in boot camp with several guys who got to pick the Navy over jail. Here I was, never even been in the back of a police car doing exactly the same thing for exactly the same money as some fucking creep who'd made his living breaking into houses. It's a good example how the ruling class REALLY feel about military service; a veteran is just another criminal who was too stupid to commit a crime first.

[tabasco]

9. The IRR is being called up now.

The IRR is the last pool of manpower availiable before a draft.

I'm 47 y.o. and got called up out of the IRR. The Army is desperate for bodies.

Don't count out a draft. These people are nuts.

[malachi]

16. I'm this close to securing a position on my local draft board. I have

8 hours of training to go through then I'm in. I suggest that as many DUers as possible go to the Selective Services System website and volunteer to serve on their local boards. If we get enough "liberals" on as many boards as possible, we can really fuck things up when, not if, they reinstate the draft.

[tabasco]

21. A freind of mine just got on the local draft board.

He says he will make sure rich kids get to serve their country too. He asked me to apply but I was ineligible because I was in the IRR.

[leetrisck]

22. "F things up" does not sound like a good idea

to me. I really hope you do not end up in that position. I do not want a draft but I don't want what you are talking about either. Things are "F-ed" up enough.

[MADem]

11. Well, all they have to do is dummy up a fake attack

Get a bunch of guys to attack us, from say, Iran , and then it becomes self-defense.

Gulf of Tonkin, anyone??

[stillcool]

15. Why would a draft be needed?...

They just have to recruit more from Honduras, Peru,..etc. De-stabilization is the key ...when people are starving they'll enlist.

[raccoon]

26. That's what I'm thinking they'll do. nt

[wakeme2008]

17. Don but what will the Neocons do without a Draft

there is Iran, Syria... and others they want to invade.

But I agree, the draft is dead for now with Bush's poll numbers.

[Nay]

20. Agreed, Bush's approval would go into negative numbers.

[Jamison]

27. Yep.

A draft would mean certain death to the GOP. That's something I'm not sure they want to risk.

[Athame]

29. My son just turned 21

and I have been sweating this on a personal level for three years. I do believe our efforts at bringing up the possibility and even the Dems draft resolution that so frightened me at least made the draft much harder to slip in with wavin' flags. I thank you, Don, for keeping this issue out in front and for all those who passed on the information to others. This is one of many issues that I truly believe DU has had a giant hand in. :thumbsup:

I also agree that a draft now is unlikely--though it was a real possibility before.