May 1st...to me it's the day my now 18 yr old son has to register

[ourbluenation]

with the selective service. x(

Happy Birthday Patrick!!!! Let's think about the SS some other time!!!

[babylonsister]

1. The SS sounds so damn spooky to me.

:scared:
Happy Birthday, Patrick! :party:

[smirkymonkey]

10. Does this ring a bell...

[babylonsister]

13. Yep, that's why.

:(

[rememberearth]

2. i'm so sorry

maybe it won't happen.

[mike_c]

3. hey it's my birthday too!

Happy Birthday Patrick!

I'm-- umm-- a little past selective service registration age....

[Mind_your_head]

4. Happy Birthday mike_c !!!!!

:party: :toast: :bounce:

[Ecumenist]

7. Happy Birthday, MikeC...

I like to say that you're 18 years old with a FEW year experience...:party: :hi:

[babylonsister]

12. Feliz cumpleanos! nt

[ourbluenation]

18. same to you Mike C! Are you celebrating with a round of

frisbee golf while wearing sombreros with your friends like our Patrick!!!!

cupleanos feliz!

[scarletwoman]

5. Is it too late for advice?

My youngest had to register 3 years ago. Long before we were down to the deadline I researched conscientious objector options through an organization that specializes in establishing conscientious objector status for those of draft age. (Sorry, I can't think of the name of the outfit just now, but I found it through googling "conscientious objector".)

Their advice was to register, but to write a statement on the registration card that you are a conscientious objector. Make a photocopy of the card with your statement written on it and mail it to yourself. Keep the sealed, unopened envelope in your files -- the postdate on the envelope will be your validation -- to use as evidence to bolster your case for a c.o. exemption should you ever be faced with a draft.

I also made sure my son got a passport.

sw

[RaleighNCDUer]

9. A signing statement. Hey, if it works for *.... nt

[scarletwoman]

11. LOL! I never thought about it that way, but -- YES! Why the hell not?

My own generation went through the Vietnam draft. Back in the day, I successfully assisted friends of mine through the process of establishing conscientious objector status. It's something I feel very strongly about.

sw
(unapologetic old hippie pacifist)

[ourbluenation]

19. Not too late and great advice. We're also working on our dual citizenship

with Ireland for the entire family...that eu passport may come in handy some day!

[scarletwoman]

20. I'm so glad you saw my post!

And it's wonderful to hear that your family has an opportunity for dual citizenship -- and Ireland at that!

While there is Irish descent on my mother's mother's side, and my son's (deceased) father had even more immediate Irish heritage, it seems that both families' ties to the Mother Country were frayed generations ago.

Luckily, the family ties to Norway from my father's side remain intact. Not to mention, living in Northern Minnesota, Canada isn't that far away... ;-)

sw

[Sparkman]

6. Vietnam taught the industrial-military-prison complex NOT to draft.

The draft brings "patriots" to their senses, war profiteers and PIPELINE POLICE will just have to come from the economic or family tradition style "volunteer" army.
When they planned the overthrow of Iraq's Oil Fields, the arm chair warriors knew a draft would end it for that illegal & unecessary attack on the Iraqi civlians.

[Mind_your_head]

8. Happy 18th b-day to Patrick!

I have an 18 y/o daughter, so she doesn't have to do this (obviously).

It's funny now that you mention it, I haven't heard any of her male 18 y/o friends talk about this. I'm going to ask them about their feelings about registering next time they come over. (Presuming they registered? :shrug:)

[laheina]

14. Happy Birthday to your son!

As a parent, I feel your pain. My boy will be there in a few years, and I don't even want to think about it. :hug:

[uppityperson]

15. Happy birthday Patrick and parents! My condolences and best wishes

mine is rapidly approaching this also. Don't forget the c.o. thing given in an earlier reply.

[Bigmack]

16. I've got a boat....

If these assholes start a draft, I'll give free rides to Vancouver.

Patrick doesn't need to worry, and neither do you, ourbluenation. This country will NOT accept a draft.

[slackmaster]

17. I missed the Vietnam Era registration by less than a year

Happy birthday to your son.