Secy. Of Veteran Affairs: “I Think That Our Society Would Benefit” From Reinstating Draft...

[ariesgem]

President Bush's secretary for Veterans Affairs said Thursday that "society would benefit" if the country brought back the military draft, then clarified that he doesn't support such a move.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson spoke a day after Bush said he is considering sending more troops to Iraq. The administration has for years forcefully opposed bringing back the draft, and the White House said Thursday that its position had not changed.

Nicholson, who served in Vietnam, was in New York to announce a partnership with Mayor Michael Bloomberg to help homeless veterans find housing.

A reporter suggested that the all-volunteer armed forces attract a disproportionate number of minorities and people trying to lift themselves out of poverty, and asked Nicholson if the draft should be reinstated to make the military more equal.

"I think that our society would benefit from that, yes sir," Nicholson said.

The secretary recalled his own experience as a company commander in an infantry unit that brought together soldiers of different backgrounds and education levels, noting that the draft "does bring people from all quarters of our society together in the common purpose of serving."

He later issued a statement saying his comments had been misconstrued and that he does not support bringing back the draft.

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/veterans-boss-backtracks-on-draft/20061221190309990006?cid=2194

[PSPS]

1. Yes, I'm sure his society would benefit.

[Erika]

2. Secy of Veterans affairs got bitch slapped by W big time

Don't draft my daughters when there are thousands out there who can play cannon fodder in hopes for an education in college. Let's be kind enough to give them a chance.

Don't discriminate against my daughters just because they were rich and their folks paid for their education.
I'm tired of the rich being picked on. (Bush off).

[bobbolink]

3. Not in support of what would benefit the country...

:silly: :wtf: :eyes: :crazy:

[NI4NI]

5. my thoughts exactly,

If Mr. Secretary was a Dem, the wing-dingers would be all over him for not supporting something that would benefit the country, as if sending conscripted young people off to fight and die in another illegitimate war, like the very war he was in, is beneficial. At best he'd be considered a "flip-flopper" at worst, "un-American" or a "traitor"
The man is talkin' out is ass, which is exactly why I refuse any attempt at understanding folks like him or them, because if I did understand, I'd be just as nutty as they are.

[bobbolink]

8. You're right, of course... trying to understand that sort of illogical stuff

can make one illogical, ones own self. :)

And, realizing how the media would portray "the other side" doing the same thing makes one crazy.

Being illogical and crazy isn't a good way to start the day. :hi:

Being of the generation that fought to eliminate the draft, in later years I have recognized the mistake in that. There most clearly needs to be a National Service in this nation, for very many good reasons.

That said, I wouldn't want to make another DUer illogical and crazy. ~~guffaw~~

[NI4NI]

9. National Service can be a good thing

And perhaps it can be designated in other forms, including militarily, as well.
As for illogical and crazy, how would you consider my thoughts that inorder for a person to become "our commander in chief", they should first have been "a comrade in arms"?

[bobbolink]

10. "how would you consider my thoughts that inorder for a person to become "our commander in chief",

they should first have been "a comrade in arms"? "

Demented.

Delusional.

And VERY WISE!!!

You got me to wondering why our Founders didn't stipulate that very thing.

But, of course, they would assume that those truly invested in freedom wouldn't have to be reminded of such a thing.

sigh....

"And perhaps it can be designated in other forms, including militarily, as well."

But, of course. That's what I would have to do, myself. No way could I pick up a gun and shoot another person. So, I would willingly and gladly give my service time in other necessary pursuits as designated by this nation.

As it should be.

And that is the strength of the concept of National Service.

Think of the poor people who would then actually have a choice, rather than to have military or nothing. And the more well-to-do muddleclass might actually have to mingle with those "beneath them", and learn some reality of the rest of life in this country.

[NI4NI]

13. About the Founders

I often wondered why Washington became our first president besides the fact that he was a great military leader and war hero. I guess back in the day that was enough, considering that they made sure no president could start a war all by himself, plus they had some crazy notion about a thing called "checks and balances", whatever that is. (sarcasm)
I'd also be willing to do National Service, but if I had to do it mingling anywhere on earth with the "more well to do muddleclass" or especially republican right-wingdingers, I want combat pay.

[bobbolink]

14. combat pay granted

:rofl:

Thanks, you made my day! :thumbsup:

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. Under that standard

if you look at it strickly for the military... Clinton would have never been a President

And....

Bush was elgible, since he did "serve" in the TANG

Overall... I have reached a very Heinleain view of the whole thing, so essentially I do agree.

But... this is the other side

[NI4NI]

16. But consider this

Under this standard the Chickenhawk Party would be hard pressed to find a candidate for President, Vice President, and maybe even Majority Speaker of the House! LOL!

Peace!

[tabasco]

6. Yeah, what's up with that.

Is he on dope or something?

[rollopollo]

4. Charlie Rangel

Whatever happened to Rangels proposal to bring back the draft? I heard some other Democrats opposed it but he was adamant about bringing it to a vote.

[tabasco]

7. Based on the current military personnel situation,

not bringing up the issue of the dradft would be irresponsible.

The Commander In Chief keeps talking about a "war of a generation."

The military will not be able to support such a war without a draft.

I myself support universal national service, 20 months, no college deferments, but only instituted during peacetime. No buy-oout for rich kids, strictly enforced. Similar to Germany's service obligation. My German girlfriend's family is rich, but her brothers had to serve in the army / navy.

I do not support a draft implemented during this corrupt regime. The Iraq invasion was unjustified and every day of the occupation is a crime against the Iraqi people. Charlie was trying to address a very valid issue though. The military WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THE CURRENT OPERATIONAL TEMPO without a draft.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. Ah second dangle of the D fruit in the same week

Executive order, here we go

[SmokingJacket]

15. I'm thinking the same thing.

These are trial balloons.

It would certainly guarantee a Dem victory in 08, though...