Nader Claims A Draft Is Imminent

[Whoa_Nelly]

United Press International
April 17, 2004,


WASHINGTON - Ralph Nader's independent presidential campaign sent an Internet "Message to America's Students" warning that a draft may take place if the war goes on.

"The Pentagon is quietly recruiting new members to fill local draft boards, as the machinery for drafting a new generation of young Americans is being quietly put into place," Nader said. "Young Americans need to know that a train is coming, and it could run over their generation."

Nader spokesman Kevin Zeese said the warning is based on the U.S. Selective Service System's recent call for draft board volunteers, an extended U.S. military and calls by Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry and Congress to expand the military, the Boston Herald reported Friday.

However, the government firmly denies a draft is anywhere in the near future. "We're not going to re-implement a draft. There's no need for it at all," said Pentagon spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Jane Campbell.


more...
http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_draft_041704,00.html

Am not a Nader fan/follower in the least, but am keeping my eyes and ears open regarding the possible reintroduction of the draft.

[trumad]

1. Thanks Ralph

[Junkdrawer]

31. LOL: The same two words flashed through my mind as I read the post. n/t

[Skittles]

2. yeah, thanks Ralph

you f***ing asshole

[Don Claybrook]

7. Democracy is a terrible thing, isn't it?

How dare that man speak the truth, day after day, unrelenting?

For what it's worth, I wish he'd decided to sit this election cycle out, but he does have just as much right as anyone. Further, I think his stature has and will continue to take a hit because of his run.

That, of course, doesn't change the fact that he's right with most of his positions and assertions. It just means he's not as pragmatic as many Democrats would like.

I don't think you have much of anything to worry about from Nader. He's not going to pull too many votes. I seriously doubt he'll be in play in any swing states.

[Skittles]

10. I know he as a RIGHT

but he is still a F***ING ASSHOLE.

[Don Claybrook]

14. :)

I can't argue with that one, Skittles. I don't happen to agree, but I think that has to be chalked up to differences in personal tastes.

I guess that if I could tell him anything, I'd just remind him that for everything, there is a time and a place. A time to run, a time not to run. This, of course, would be the time not to run, but I don't think he's listening to those of us who are of that mind.

[PurityOfEssence]

3. The most irritating thing about Nader: he's correct about so many things

He's still a spoiler, and if he truly doesn't know it, he's a fool. Personally, I think he wants to soak off enough strength from the Democrats that he destroys the party, thus creating a more left alternative. Not only is this ridiculous--the people aren't that progressive--but the act of doing it would bring so much irretrievable human and ecological damage by ensuring Republican rule during the interim, and could allow them to consolidate power in ways that can never be assailed.

[DBoon]

4. German communists attacking the SPD

in 1932 regretted a similar move.

[tabasco]

12. Nader plays along with repug divide and conquer strategy.

Refusing to join a viable coalition against the forces of fascism is either plain stupidity or complicity. I think the latter for Ralph. Many of his followers fall under the former.

[Dirk39]

39. This is not true....

when the SPD was voting vor Hindenburg, the communists replied: if you vote for Hindenburg, you vote for Hitler, and if you vote for Hitler, you vote for the next war.
Although I know that the situation was almost lost and very complex: it's not that easy.
The SPD did vote for the war-credits in WW1 and made it possibly, with very few exceptions (Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, who later founded the KPD). Without their support for the war-credits, WW1 would not have been possible. Later in Weimar, the SPD compromised every single time. They are far more responsible for Ausschwitz and Hitler than the communists. And it pains me, to write this, 'cause I'm a leftist and I clearly see that the communist party in Germany was in a misery too, they really were a kind of instrument of the foreign policy of the Soviet Union then, I clearly see this, I don't have illusions, but you might have illusions? The communists in Germany might not have been an alternative back then, but I don't see any hint that Nader has sold himself out? All those democrats in America seem to get more annoyed with Nader, the more their own party resembles Bush. Everything DUers have knows about Bush is forgotten as soon as the democrats do the same.
Hello from Germany,
Dirk

[Ready4Change]

5. He's right.

And it probably doesn't matter who's elected. Unless we pull cold out of Iraq, we're going to need fresh replacements for our overworked military.

[Wickerman]

6. Now how the hell did that happen?

All those years of peace and prosperity down the tubes.

[brainshrub]

8. Thank-you Capitan Obvious!

Can you now tell me if Spongebob Squarepants is yellow?

[Imperialism Inc.]

11. If it is so obvious then why hasn't Kerry mentioned it?

In fact I think he was asked and said no, no , no way.

Guess it wasn't all that obvious to him.

[brainshrub]

19. b/c Kerry wants * to take responsibility for the draft when it happens.

He doesn't want the electorate to think that by voting for Kerry, they will be voting for the draft.

Either way, if we stay in Iraq, the draft is coming. Anyone who pays attention knows this.

[Sterling]

25. Right, lol. Kerry will be the one to enact the draft.

He knows it, we all know it.

[brainshrub]

29. Not to start a flame-war

But perhaps a draft would be a good thing.

By draft, I mean at least 12 months of mandatory community service to the nation. (Not necessarily military service.)

[Imperialism Inc.]

9. Well we know we will never hear anything about this very real

possibility from George Bush. And certainly not from John Kerry who is expanding the military and increasing the chances for a draft.

Some of us have kids that will be old enough for a draft in just a couple years. So, to all who are upset and like to spew at Nader I say tough shit for you. Someone has to say it. Probably isn't your kids that will have to go die.

[Whoa_Nelly]

15. Right on, MiddleMen

I have a son old enough for this to happen, and two more who are almost of age. I was an adult during the Vietnam era, saw the daily death video reports, had friends who didn't make it back, had some who did and are forever changed by their experiences.

Welcome to DU, MiddleMen! :hi:

[flaminlib]

13. Is he right??

Im barely old enough to remember the Vietnam war so I dont have much of a frame of reference but, at what point does a draft become necessary?

From I do know, we are hurting in troop strengths and the way it looks, we will be sending yet MORE troops over to Iraq. At some point, dont we have to enact a draft should we stay on this current course?

Why the hell wont this admin swallow some pride and ask for help?? If any goodwill is left that is.

[Dems Will Win]

16. Nader is right but very unfair to say Kerry's expanding 40,000 troops

will lead to a draft when in fact it PREVENTS the Prez but having to reinstate!

Kerry has already explained how the extra 40,000 active-duty troops will come from restructuring and increased recruitment with pay raises and true scholarships. Right now they say you'll get college paid for but it is made very difficult to get any funding at all.

BUSH '04 = DRAFT '05

THIS HAS BEEN AN OFFICIAL MESSAGE FROM DEMS WILL WIN, DU'S DRAFT EXPERT.

[AGD4y2357y]

22. Oh please get real

So let me see...

1. Kerry gets elected
2. Repub controlled congress passes increased pay/scholarships/etc. (which does you a whole lot of good when you are dead anyway)
3. Troop rates magically raise in the middle of war.

OR

1. Kerry gets elected.
2. Repub congress goes in to clinton mode.
3. Repub congress realizes draft will destroy Kerry making way for repub victory in 08.
4. Congress doesn't do a damn thing to increase volunteer recruitment and works on getting a draft needed.
5. Kerry is fu**ed.

Which one do YOU think is more likely? And people say Nader is out of it...

[Dems Will Win]

27. Try this on for size, instead of a RW talking point scenario:

1. Kerry gets elected
2. Nevers asks for DRAFT, so there is none (Repukes are not crazy enough to reinstate when the Prez never asks for it --come on!)
3. Reduces American forces by 40,000 to 50,000 in Iraq through NATO insertion.
4. Troops know a war hero now commander in chief rather than Smirky, so they re-up and enlist at normal rates.
5. Kerry restructures and turns paper-pushers to active-duty.
6. Kerry re-elected in 2008 by a grateful Millennial Generation.

[AGD4y2357y]

30. This is a fantasy situation

It totally fails to consider escalating violence in Iraq. Particularly point 4 is flawed. Not a lot of troops can re-enlist if they're dead. Of course I'm sure the DLC hasn't thought about that one. Maybe they are still reading the white house "iraqis will be throwing flowers at us" memo.

[seg4527]

17. thank god someone running has the courage to say it

eom

[Frances]

18. You will get a draft--if you vote for Nader

If Kerry is elected, Europe will send troops to Iraq.

Bush's mess in Iraq makes Europe more vulnerable to terrorism & Europe wants the mess cleaned up.

But Bush has just wanted Europeans as cannon fodder to protect Halliburton.

John Kerry does not want to protect Halliburton and so would treat the Europeans with respect.

[Sterling]

26. Wanna bet?

I will take odds that if Kerry wins we will see a draft.

[makhno]

34. Europe in Iraq?

If Kerry is elected, Europe will send troops to Iraq.

You're joking, right? It'd be political suicide. Plus, the Brits are already overextended and outside of the French, no European state has a military capable of the level of operations currently going on in Iraq.

No, the US will keep bleeding in Iraq all by its imperial self unless Kerry makes the decision to withdraw our forces. Which he is clearly unprepared to do.

bm

[Dirk39]

40. Hello from Europe, I'm not sure, if he's joking!

just take a look back to Kosovo, when Germany forced Europe and the USA into an illegal war. The only difference between Kerry and Bush might be, that Kerry is more realistic and willing to share the profits of the illegal neocolonial crimes with Europe, while Bush thinks, the USA is strong enough to get it all.
Both aren't electable for liberals or democrats. Shut these corporate whores down, no matter if they're multilateral bandits or unilateral bandits.
You will see European troops in Iraq, after Kerry is elected - if anyone dares to visit Iraq anymore after what will happen during the next months. Who was the first CEO of a global player multinational corporation holding a speech in front of the UN security council? It was Siemens of Germany. And it happened just about a few days ago. They have interests in Iraq and they have interests in Afghanistan. They have an office in Afghanistan for decades.
Hello from Germany,
Dirk

[stellanoir]

20. though many dems have been irate about Nader's

candidacy, you've got to put it in perspective. Gore won the popular vote last time. No one who voted him forgets what transpired then and since then. I know of far more disgruntled Repubs who are saying that they'd vote for Nader. And who else could go on MTP and say, "* is one enormous corporation masquerading as a human being. . .and that he should be impeached."?

I really don't think anyone who was committed to voting for Kerry would switch to Nader. I think it's good to have truth sayers in this time of rampant deceit.

[specimenfred1984]

23. Thank You...

I agree, bringing issues to people's attention is great for democrats and horrible for republicans. The more aware people become, regardless of who makes them aware, the better it is for dems.

Check out this poll I found on another post:

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/polls/articles/2004/04/17/poll_finds_support_shifting_away_from_bush_a_change_since_october_survey/

*Poll finds support shifting away from Bush, a change since October survey*

<<...Of the students polled, 62 percent said they will ''definitely" vote in November. But in 2000, only 42 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds voted, according to data from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at the University of Maryland. >>

[Sterling]

28. Don't confuse people with facts.

The Nader haters will have nothing left if you take this from them. They have to blame someone for the fact they did not defend the blacks who were illegally kept from voting. That would mean they would actually have to take on the right wing and hold them accountable for there crimes. We can't have that now.

People who fall for this crap make me wanna puke. It's a buch of racist clap trap.

[The Animator]

21. Draft Imminent: Florida Boy Moves North...

I swear it, if a draft does come, I'm moving to Canada. Who needs warm weather and hurricanes anyway?

[m-jean03]

24. If Bush is re-elected --

I wonder how many young people will try to leave the country??

I might.

[checks-n-balances]

32. If there's a mass exodus of non-rethugs in '05...

talk about the biggest BRAIN DRAIN in all of history...

The Bushies would just say "Don't let the border doors hit you on the way out!" And then those Dems who for some reason can't get away will definitely be living in the very Worst of Times on this continent.

[m-jean03]

35. I know, you're absolutely right

I would feel guilty for leaving -- Since the Left would truly have a greater responsibility than ever if Bush was re-elected.

But as a young person, if a draft looked imminent, I may be tempted to leave and/or encourage others to do so.

[bobbieinok]

36. PAY ATTN - ESCAPE TO CANADA WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE

there have been many DU discussions of this

US and Canada signed an agreement - they will turn draft-age back to US

[checks-n-balances]

37. No escape? That's truly scary...

We're all even MORE doomed if Gee Duhbyah wins.

When I said that about Bushites saying "Good riddance" to those who leave, I was actually thinking of some people way past draft age I've heard talking about exiting the U.S. if GWB wins. Some of them are artists and they're all very intelligent.

I also read recently about how so many bright international students who used to flock to the U.S. for their rofessional education (and often ended up staying) are now going elsewhere. If this country were led by decent people, it would be a wonderful opportunity to build relationships with people from other countries.


Aside from the Iraq debacle, the damage being done by this administration is incalculable, and all of it is needless and tragic.

[daleo]

38. That could change

Canadians might well put pressure on the Liberal government to accept American draft evaders, if it comes to that. I hope so, if only because the last bunch made great Canadian citizens.

[John_H]

33. I'm voting Nader because I think all you kids should serve in uniform

and voting nader is the second best way to make sure it happens.