Rep. Charles Rangel is prepared to introduce legislation to enact the draft. I know this is going to sound strange, but this is the very best thing that could happen to this country. This could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Rangel see’s it this way and I do too. Could you imagine the chickenhawks sending their sons and now daughters to fight in Iraq for a failed US policy that they embrace? I can see it and Rangel does too.
I served 21 years in the Army. Maybe I should have done something else but I can’t take back the time. I remember the war in Vietnam; I was serving then, from January 1968 onward. I know that the biggest motivator for young people to take an active interest in where this nation was going was the thought of being drafted and actually participating in the flawed policies of Washington. We need that kind of involvement now. Soldiers are serving three and four tours in Iraq. I despise this war and this administration, now it’s time to put up or shut up. They can’t have it both ways; cause wars and meanwhile leave their kids out of it. If they believe so wholeheartedly in this GWOT then send the kids of the Congressmen and the State Department and all the other government agencies. Maybe that will make some Congressional chickenhawks think a little differently about putting American youth in harm’s way.
The Army isn’t the worst thing that could happen to a person. There are many that will write terrible comments about what I’m saying here, but I think I know what I’m talking about. If we are to fight never-ending wars with no thought of the consequences, then we should make it democratic; everyone should have a chance to participate!
Think they’ll be throwing depleted uranium around with reckless abandon when Congressman Smith’s son is stationed in Najaf? Think they’ll vote for more war spending so their son’s and daughters can get full body armor? This causes me to cheer Congressman Rangel! If I can serve, anyone can. Let’s make this an “American” thing, instead of an economic thing where solders enlist because they can’t find a job or go to college. Let’s have a draft with no deferments for college, in fact, no deferments at all. Let’s make this a group effort and let us reap the consequences. There is an old saying by John Milton: “Wars begin when you will, but don’t end when you wish”. Let the games begin!
That’s the way I see it.
http://liberalpro.blogspot.com
Tim was banned from the site for posting private email from the publisher to him on his blog, and then attacking the publisher and the site in emails and articles. OEN has no responsibility to publish articles from people who attack the site.
Tim's accusations that he was banned for his political positions are untrue. Check his articles. He repetitively wrote about and had published exactly the things he claimed he was banned for doing.
Former Chairman of the Liberal Party of America, Tim is a retired Army Sergeant. He currently lives in South Carolina. A regular contributor to OpEdNews, he is the author of Kimchee Kronicles and is currently at work on a new novel.
"The Army isn’t the worst thing that could happen to a person."
Mayhap the person is the worst thing to happen to the Army, no?
I have to think there's a number of people in the Army that would also welcome a draft. Spread the joy and let others "embrace the suck", while they get to stay at home for a spell.
It's not all about the negative and vindictive, Mr. Gatto.
by
Tom Murphy (3 articles, 4 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 1808 comments)
on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 10:52:16 PM
What I meant to say as a response to the other poster was, in my opinion, requiring compulsary service is not a bad thing to do to someone. I served and enjoyed my time in the military.
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Steven Leser (228 articles, 49 quicklinks, 34 diaries, 1647 comments)
on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 11:30:57 PM
The article of mine is called 'The ex-pat officer's notes on the draft' and it explains it all. Now, I do not want Tim Gatto to get mad at me but this Rangel atrocity ( sorry, can't help it) comes back from time to time. Again, no matter what you and me think of the draft as an institution to even propose it NOW with Bushits in power and/or war party retaining the power is a crime against our young people and our nation. Not only it disappoints me that this idea is entertained. It makes me desperately worried that it is entertained by progressives! It tells me (sorry, folks) that many of our folk though calling themselves progressive in reality are not far in mentality from.. you know who. Please, read my article (link enclosed) . It comes from the heart and I DO KNOW what I say. And leave the Bush sisters alone. What a shallowness, really. How can anyone even consider to bring more young people into carnage so that 'they taste it'. Shame on you, people.
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Mark Sashine (54 articles, 19 quicklinks, 252 diaries, 3605 comments)
on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 7:20:56 AM
Until this nation feels the burden of war, each and everyone of us, we will never end it. Radical times call for radical solutions. It's nice to be principled, but that will not motivate the majority of the people. The draft could be the catalyst that ends these military adventures. Anyway, just because you disagree with me, I still understand your point. I just don't agree with it. Military conscription could be a blessing and not just for the military. Having soldiers serving that aren't happy being there gives us a citizen's Army and not just a "Professional Army" staffed by people willing to do the bidding of any Chief Executive. Without the draft, we would probably still be in Vietnam being told that victory is around the corner.
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Timothy V. Gatto (348 articles, 177 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 574 comments)
on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 7:31:26 AM
Then do as I have mentioned in my article and ask those whom you want to subject to those desperate measures if they want it. This is not a sarcasm. They deserve it. It would be they who will pay the prize. But be honest with them: tell them that you want them in the conscription not because we are facing a national miiltary threat but because you want 'soldiers who are not happy' in fact a political tool out of them. Hear them when they respond. Put it on mysite and on the facebook. See what happens. Also ask the young people from the other nations if anywhere anyone conscripted their young for the political purposes first and foremost. Ans they will answer to you: there was only one case- Hitler's Germany. They conscripted people first to make them a machine and when the machine was built they used it.
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Mark Sashine (54 articles, 19 quicklinks, 252 diaries, 3605 comments)
on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 8:10:05 AM
In all those countries ( include here France, Russia, etc) the conscription is a national institution to prepare the population to defend the nation from the possible and existing threat to the very national sovereignity. Granted, some of them like Korea has political motives too but you have to admit those threats do exist for all those nations or they DID exist in the nearest past with some very deadly consequences. Even Turkey had a tough war with Greece. The US had not experienced such a threat even during the WWII. Especially now there is no one even close. Usage of conscription for the pure political purpose was done only in Hitler's Germany: he proclaimed an Army as a tool to build the new Germans. He afterwards used it for war.
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Mark Sashine (54 articles, 19 quicklinks, 252 diaries, 3605 comments)
on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 8:44:00 AM
I was draft age during Viet Nam and was against the draft. I am a little older and, I think, wiser now. So I advocate a draft. But only if it is absolutely universal, no deferments, exceptions, exclusions, everyone period.
Why does anyone think people, led by the young ones, aren't in the streets protesting right now, as we speak.....make that type. If they were subject to the draft, we would have begun withdrawing from Iraq long ago,....and we might actually have had a shot at impeaching the malefactor Bush, as well.
It would, to my mind, in no way be akin to slavery. It would be a civic duty, something many seem to have lost sight of these days.
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B York (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 103 comments)
on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 2:04:28 PM
Folks, have a look at my article I refer to up there where I dissect the whole thing. I spent a lot of time writing it. And also- read what you write. If someone of you wants this to happen just to make Chelsea Clinton 'feel it' or Bush sisters, can you, folks understand how unfortunate you sound? Really, people. Now, someone above said something about him being drafted when he was young and now he is for the draft. Did they ask your opinion then? Would you ask the opinion of the young adults now? Would you prefer to be asked then?
Hey, folks, draft is not some tool you use in politics as Rangel does. It is a CULTURAL change. In the current situation, with Bush in power and wars looming to use this thing for political posturing is irresponsible to say the least. Right now it will be giving our children to Bush as hostages. You want that?
One more thing ( and I specified this in my paper): the army is a tool. For now. It will become a part of the society deeply entrenched if we have conscription. I doubt if you all understand what that means with all respect. I for one know that very well. It will be then a very different society and I for one do not want such society here. I am sorry, no deal. Many of you do not want, say socialism, although with all respect, most of you never experienced one. But it is not socialism you should fear but the culture of militarism deeply entrenched. Beware of what you wish; you can get it. Rangel does not give a damn about you and your children: he is a dangerous demagogue. Please, people in your rush to ' fairness' do not forget your private interests. Be a little selfish, for God's sake or you will sell the youth of this country to the Demon without even getting a fair prize.
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Mark Sashine (54 articles, 19 quicklinks, 252 diaries, 3605 comments)
on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 2:49:00 PM
I still respectibly disagree with you. This is ALL about politics. This is all about what's fair and what's not. You can take your "high" road and rule out a draft while the corporate elite don't participate and instead we have a "Professional Standing Army" that is against the dictates of our Constitution. You may believe a Standing Army is better than an Army of conscripts because you fear for the safety of young people and the prospect of using the Army for more crazed interventions in foriegn lands, but I was a professional soldier and a conscripted Army is an Army of civilian soldiers that are usually brighter and more involved than the type of Army we have now. You argue that this shouldn't be political, but it is political. We should use every tool we have in our arsenal to defeat these neo-con warmongers. If it means bringing the fear of sending sons and daughters to war, so be it.
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Timothy V. Gatto (348 articles, 177 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 574 comments)
on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 2:59:55 PM
Here's my 2 cents. After the Bushs' $148B go shopping bailout perhaps... 1.5 cents.
My take is that they are trying very hard to privatize (wreck) our traditional military, so why would a draft be brought up, except to give us something else to waste time venting about. To propose to reinstitute the draft (to increase necessary military numbers in a traditional sense) goes against what seems to be happening. Looks like they want nothing of the sort. Just asking. It just hit me funny.
As for yours and Marks point, I'll refrain from full frontal response except to say that our constitution isn't a factor. A standing Army is being built and implemented as we speak. The federal gov has stolen the Nat'l Guard from the states. Blackwater et. al. are fed and groomed as the military of our security fed future, loyal to no country or their people, but to the corporations who fill the trough.
And last, the sons and daughters of those we think should be drafted on an even playing field have for the most point not gone. Why would they now?
Bucks baby, bucks. Daddy got pull.
I'm sorry. I don't get it.
peace.
by
mikel paul (11 articles, 1 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 460 comments)
on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 6:39:08 PM
1) It would give principled young people a chance to serve their country with honor and distinction by REFUSING TO GO.
2) It would also energize the antiwar movement, thereby becoming the NeoCons' worst nightmare.
3) Lastly, in a sense, the whole country has already been drafted. We're on the bus, like it or not, and our Masters are in the driver's seat, heading for a cliff. We're gonna get hurt if we jump off, and we're gonna get hurt if we go over a cliff. We either stop them by whatever means possible, and soon, or we're finished: not only will our economy be in ruins, and all of our "rights" gone, but we'll be damn lucky if we avoid a global nuclear war.
by
Harold Smith (0 articles, 3 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 532 comments)
on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 6:48:29 PM
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