I'm of Draft Age

[ck4829]

I turn 20 on Valentine's Day.

When I first heard that the draft was coming back, I knew it was no joke.

I have never supported the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Were there evil people in those two countries? Yes, there were, but Bush and the Idiot Squad completely failed at handling this war on terror.

I have no desire to become cannon fodder for the RW, PNAC, and the Christian Right.

I guess it's a good thing I'll be in College for the next 2 years, but I know it won't be able to save me forever.

This is the RW's war, leave me out of it.

[tomkertes]

1. Here is an interesting update on the draft issue

Rangel to Introduce Draft Bill Again Rep. Charles Rangel intends to reintroduce legislation calling for resumption of the draft during the current Congressional term, according to a memo circulated by Bill Galvin of the Center on Conscience and War. Rangel, it will be recalled, was the author of the notorious HR 163, the "universal" conscription bill that became a political football during the 2004 Presidential campaign. When charges that Bush would reinstate the draft emerged as a red-hot election issue last October, HR 163 became a liability for the Kerry campaign -- whereupon Rangel's bill was rushed to the floor and summarily voted down by a huge majority. For tactical reasons even the bill's sponsors, including Rangel, voted against it. http://nyc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/138944/index.php

http://nyc.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/138983

[tomkertes]

2. For daily updates on the draft issue visit DailyDraftDispatch.org

http://dailydraftdispatch.org

[hang a left]

3. I googled yesterday and could find no news source for this rumor.

They state the information was received in a memo form. From what I have read the compainion bill still "languishes in the Senate." However there are rumors that the Special Skills and Medical Skills Drafts are to be implemented very soon.

[tomkertes]

9. The sources are:

Theo Sitther, Center on Conscience and War
Bill Galvin, Center of Conscience and War

Jacob Levich, People Against the Draft

According to Levich, Levich recieved a memo from Bill Galvin that indicated that Rangel intended to resubmit the draft bill. The memo requests that anti-draft activists in Rangel's district contact Rangel and ask him to not go forward with the reintroduction.

[tomkertes]

11. Reportedly from the memo:

"At our last meeting, Rangel’s Legislative Director, Emile Milne told us that, although a final decision has not been made, Mr. Rangel will probably introduce similar draft legislation in this Congress. (He did say they would fix the more problematic CO language.) He repeated Rangel’s flawed rationale: He said that since the country is at war, it is not fair that only poor folks are the ones on the battlefield, all levels of society should share the burden. He also said that if people realize that their children might be drafted for the war, they will care more about stopping the war."

http://nyc.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/138983

Judge for yourself.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

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

[mopinko]

6. it's a pre-emptive strike

if there is gonna be a draft, make it fair. no more rich man's war, poor man's fight. i agree with him.

[AndyTiedye]

14. There's No Such Thing as a Fair Draft

[Dems Will Win]

8. Nice try MegaWatt, but only 2 democrats voted for it

in October, and Rangel voted against it.

It is a stupid idea, however. Let the Repubs take ALL the blame when the D comes back

[babsbunny]

5. bless your heart

My son is 17. I don't know how to keep him out of the draft. Maybe if he tests possitive for drugs? He is colored blind too. there is a place called www.enjoythedraft.com. It is funny, and I hope it's not true!

[intheflow]

21. Hi, babsbunny.

Please look at post #15 in this thread to get information about helping your son to compile a conscientious objector file. The first link listed in the post is to the US selective service info on conscientious objector status, which proves that the government recognizes th legitamacy of claiming that war is against your family's personal belief system.

My son is 22. I'm certain that if a draft comes up, he'll be one of the first to be called because we're poor and I'm politically ative on the waaaaaay left. Scares the hell out of me. So I'm with you, Sister. :hug:

[rockymountaindem]

24. If he is colorblind that should keep him out.

I think that colorblindness is a disqualification for most kinds of military service, especially combat duty. I really doubt they'd draft a colorblind man while they still have men around to draft who aren't.

[Occulus]

7. college doesn't help you now IIRC

You only get to finish the current semester.

[Dems Will Win]

10. UNless you are a divinity student

But then you might drafted as a chaplain!

[H2O Man]

25. Correct.

This ain't gonna be your father's darft!

For more on draft news, read:

http://h2oman.blogspot.com

[tomkertes]

12. Why Democrats should oppose the draft now

But there also principled reasons to oppose the draft. For starters, if the government is no longer acting in good faith (i.e. if it run by a bunch of corrupt liars) then it's too late for the effects of the citizen-army to be helpful. In fact, the opposite is true. Drafting a military will strengthen, not weaken, the current regime. The time to push for a citizen's army is during peacetime - when republican governance is strong. Chomsky's calls for a citizen's army now, in the midst of war, only make sense in theoretical terms. The reality of war today forces us to respond accordingly. Given the current situation, no American should be compelled to fight in the administration's immoral and illegal war. To draft an American for this war, for the current occupation, violates the basic right of moral refusal in illegal war. So not only does the draft make stronger the war effort, but also it would require more citizens to take part in what is essentially an immoral and illegal act. We cannot stand for, and especially should not advocate for, such an expansion of state power at this time.

Charles Rangel's points about the draft being more just are good points. But he is doing it in the wrong way. By advancing the draft, Rangel creates cover for neo-conservatives Republicans when the time comes for the draft to serve their interests. Rangel's calls for the draft will not result in the draft. But if the draft is desired by the neo-conservatives, they will implicate Rangel in the call for the draft. He is providing a just basis for the draft. Once again, Rangel's point is good in theory. But in practice, if there is draft it will not be just. Americans of color and poor Americans will face the bullets head on, and in larger numbers than they do currently.

[brokensymmetry]

13. I think you're right.

Let it be a all-pug draft. Let them be blamed - fully, completely, utterly without cover - for the dead bodies coming home.

They'll certainly put in some loopholes - let them. And make sure the voters know who put them in and what the consequences are.

[mopinko]

22. in larger numbers than they do currently.

that will be pretty hard to accomplish.

[intheflow]

15. Start putting together a conscientious objector (C.O.) file.

If you go to church, and your minister is anti-war, get your minister to draft a letter stating how killings people is against your religion.

List any war protests, or history of war protests in your family. Go to war protests.

Write a short essay on why you believes war is immoral. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper on why this war is immoral/unjust.

The military doesn't want anyone in the trenches who doesn't want to fight. You might still be drafted with a C.O. file, but having the paperwork to back up his objections to warfare will go a long way in getting him a desk job instead of a patrol job.

For more much more information and suggestions on compiling a C.O. file, try these resources:

Selective Service:Conscientious Objector and Alternative Service http://www.sss.gov/FSconsobj.htm

Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors http://www.objector.org/

Center on Conscience and War http://www.nisbco.org/

Who is a conscientious objector? http://www.scn.org/ip/sdmcc/co.htm

American Friends (Quakers) Service Committee web site on Youth and Militarism http://www.afsc.org/youthmil/Default.htm

[orpupilofnature57]

16. Sorry on behalf of the ? %, that neglected their civic duty, oust shrub.

[stray cat]

17. I don't think republicans would ever allow it to pass

Alot of the republican party is made up of hawkish individuals who want professional soldiers fighting wars because they don't want their kids at risk. The conservative fundamentalists are already upset with Iraq.

Republicans don't want to be known as the party that reinstituted the draft. It is bad for future votes.

[physioex]

20. What do you mean...

Conservative fundamentalists are already upset with Iraq? I watch the 700 Club to keep tabs on Pat and I see no such signs.

[physioex]

18. Youre draft age if you are breathing....

Look at some of the old, fat, and out of shape the government is calling back up........


BTW Not trying to offend old or fat people just making a point.

[diamond14]

19. to save yourself...BE in DC for the coronation....that's the ONLY way

you can save yourself....get on a bus....put some ACTION behind your words....

hope to see you here...otherwise, like most draftable young people, it's just blowing smoke.....

bush* KNOWS that the draftable people didn't vote, and don't protest the war....and if bush* KNOWS that no draftable people object to his coronation, it's a DONE DEAL FOR THE DRAFT...


get up off the couch and BE HERE IN DC.....

[NVMojo]

23. there are many in your shoes ...don't give up ...you are the reason

and other like you, that I started speaking out against this administration.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

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[tomkertes]

28. DailyDraftDispatch.org has more info, perhaps not "all rumors"

the very real possibility of the draft should be enough to concern Democrats and other progressives

[against all enemies]

27. Sorry to ruin your day, but there is no deferment for college anymore.

Ended during the Vietnam war, after Dick "I had other commitments" Cheney benefited from it.