Another year, another call for a draft

[KSigkid]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061120/...military_draft

This seems like a yearly deal, and this is the second time that this particular Congressman has called for a draft.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061120/...military_draft

This seems like a yearly deal, and this is the second time that this particular Congressman has called for a draft.

If the volunteer thing craters, I wouldn't have a problem with a reserve-style mobilization of a large part of the American population.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061120/...military_draft

This seems like a yearly deal, and this is the second time that this particular Congressman has called for a draft.

I think Congressman Rangel is using this as a political ploy to bolster disgust for going to war...

I think it will backfire against him...

For some reason, historically, the Democrats are known for instituting drafts...

The armed forces expanded the age-ranges upto 45ish? So, I still could go over to that insanity... I am unsure if Bush would allow a "draft"--he said he would not in 2004. But things change.

[Rudey]

Rangel does this a lot. He's a bizarre bird. It's his way of saying he doesn't like the war. I'm sure glad my tax dollars support his quest to not achieve any results.

-Rudey

[DeltAlum]

"There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq, especially on the flimsy evidence that was presented to the Congress, if indeed we had a draft and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids from their communities would be placed in harm's way," Rangel said."

I don't believe that history would support that contention.

First, though, don't young men of eighteen already have to register for the Draft, even though involutary conscription is not in force at this point in time?

Second, my experience with an active draft during the 60's is that the sons of influential people, particularly politicians, indicates that those young men probably wouldn't serve unless they wanted to.

Our President is a case in point. His father allegedly managed to use some political clout to get him in the National Guard. That was not at all uncommon, while there were long waiting lists for the Guard and Reserves for ordinary people.

I suspect that Congressman Rangle knows that a draft won't ever happen unless there is a very serious major military threat to our country.

Great publicity, though.

[RU OX Alum]

i registered for selective service

[Drolefille]

Eighteen year old men do have to register still. I'm not sure of all the penalties of not registering, but you definitely don't get government student loans if you don't . And you can't work a government job.

[AEPhiSierra]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

Second, my experience with an active draft during the 60's is that the sons of influential people, particularly politicians, indicates that those young men probably wouldn't serve unless they wanted to.

Exactly and if you are familiar with with Rangel's Congressional district in upper Manhattan and a bit of the lower Bronx it has a population that will most likely get the crappiest assignments during a draft because the majority is neither wealthy nor white. Just note how he only brought this issue back up after his re-election. I doubt his at least 90% democrat district is pro-war or pro-draft.

[REE1993]

As the sister of a Gulf War II soldier, I can tell you that there will be call-backs of the reserves before a draft is instuted. I do believe an official statement went out last week, regarding the re-calling up of reserve units.

For the record, I am opposed to this whole debacle, but that is my opinion, and I cannot change what has already happened. But we can change what will come.