And the drumbeat for a draft grows a bit louder in the background...

[Khephra]

INTERNATIONAL ATLANTA

U.S. needs the service of its young

By PETER WHITE
Published on: 06/21/04

snip..............

There may be another way, and it is one that has worked in the past. If the challenge to the United States is as serious as it seems, the current generation may have to serve the cause of freedom as did their grandfathers during World War II and their fathers during Vietnam. It seems to me that a call to sacrifice must eventually come in the form of universal national service.

Since we no longer fear armored Soviet tanks flooding through the Fulda Gap, today's youth might have more that just the traditional military options. They might guard the country's vital infrastructure, provide a valuable asset to the nation's teachers as they struggle to implement the "No Child Left Behind" legislation, assist as hospital orderlies, or deliver meals on wheels to shut-ins.

In return they can expect to gain an understanding of ethnic diversity in the American population and its implications. They will encounter young men and women like themselves from different regions of the United States and learn the meaning of service above self.

But a call for every young American man and woman to postpone his or her future plans in order to make an investment in democracy may not be well received. The idea of a draft is about as popular as poison ivy. We don't know if this generation possesses the same strong sense of civic duty their parents and grandparents did. Some would argue that the controversy surrounding the genesis of the Iraq war has not won the hearts and minds of the young generation. And despite Sept. 11, it seems as though most Americans still feel removed from the threat of terrorism.

If a new call for duty comes, it will be interesting to see if American youth responds as enthusiastically as they have in the past.

[bluestateguy]

1. I will not participate

I have other priorities.

[Sperk]

4. my son won't go because all the minorities will take the positions

and he'll develope a boil on his ass, just in case.

[BrotherBuzz]

11. I got sucked into the intake even though....

Rumsfeld informed me that I added "no value, no advantage, really, to the United States Armed Services over any sustained period of time."

I'll give my son the heads up to watch out for those pesky intakes.

http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20030110-014110-7787r

[hang a left]

2. I would like to hear the argument for why should our youth

be called to serve for the coorporations that run our government.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[robertpaulsen]

13. Here are some threads with links that are helpful regarding the draft.

This one's a good site that puts the blame on the possibility of a draft where it truly resides:

http://www.bushdraft.com/

Most of the threads I'm posting were created by Dems Will Win, who has done quite a bit of research regarding the Bush misadministration's maneuvering for a draft as early as 2005. It's quite scary and important to spread the word.

Welcome to DU, Jay Bradfield!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=507162
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=529390
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=530634
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1263938
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1450112
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1586554
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1611896
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1623019
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1687035
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1705567
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1777522
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=499006
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=594405
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1789603
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1789897

I know its a lot to chew on, but these threads are filled with good sites and good info. Good luck!

[Worst Username Ever]

5. I won't go

because that sounds like the poor people and brown people's job.

/sarcasm

[AndyTiedye]

15. They Need More Cannon Fodder for the Crusade - Onward Christian Soldiers

and all recruits will fill out their prayer cards and ballots for pResident Bush
before departing on today's mission....

[sdfernando]

6. Just be happy and jovial

If there is a draft and you don't want to go, just declare that you are happy and GAY!

Gee, I wonder if that will finally put the nail in the coffin for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ???

[ET Awful]

7. "As enthusiastically as they have in the past???????"

What was he smoking between 1963 and 1975?

[Q3JR4]

8. I've read parts of the legislation

it doesn't contain a deferment for homosexuality. Looks as if we'll be in the same boat as everyone else.

[pocket]

9. no need for a gay deferment

any more than a need for a blind deferment. you are inelligible for service.

Play it to your advantage :)

[classof56]

10. Good grief!

"We don't know if this generation possesses the same strong sense of civic duty their parents and grandparents did. Some would argue that the controversy surrounding the genesis of the Iraq war has not won the hearts and minds of the young generation. And despite Sept. 11, it seems as though most Americans still feel removed from the threat of terrorism."

Same strong sense of civic duty?? Give me a break! Controversy surrounding the genesis of the Iraq war?? No kidding! ...most Americans still feel removed from the threat of terrorism?? Well, not me, since IMHO the biggest terrorist threats emanate from the current resident of the White House. If he continues to reside there, you can bet your life and the lives of your children/grandchildren that he'll be conscripting them to march off to who knows how many battlefields around the globe where they can "prove their sense of civic duty" in all the upcoming conflicts that are controversial in their genesis.

And from what I've heard, the draft age will be 18-34, not 25. Could be lower, could be higher, most likely both. We've been warned!

Tired Old Cynic

[AndyTiedye]

16. That's Why They're Offshoring all The Jobs - They're Gonna Draft EVERYBODY

...with the usual risk-free attendance-optional champagne units available for the well-connected, of course,
look who's running things.

Look at the PNAC manifest and try to guess how many troops it would take to do all that.

[bluestateguy]

12. Here is the link

Beware, though: The Atlanta Journal Constitution has the MOST intrusive registration requirements on the web I have ever seen.

http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/0604/21international.html

[Nadienne]

14. That's right,

Selfish, anti-war, spoiled, blah, blah, blah might not wish to die for the corporate oligarchy.

But, gee, maybe we won't be out of Iraq by June 30th after all?