WTF? Obama's Chief of Staff: "give people a sense of what it means to be an American"

[Popol Vuh]

In this short video clip when asked by Ben Smith (a New York Daily News reporter) about the universal service plan and whether people would have to live in military barracks, Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Obama's selected Chief of Staff) laughed before responding:

"We’re going to have universal civil defense training, somewhere between the ages of 18 to 25 you will do three months of training….but there can be nothing wrong with all Americans having a joint similar experience of what we call civil defense training or civil service in service of the country, in preparation, which will give people a sense of what it means to be an American.”

Excuse me Mr. Emanuel, but, who are you to question Americans on knowing what it means to be an American?

[gateley]

1. I kind of get what he means -- that we would feel more involved as Americans

than we have been in the past several years. To get a sense of giving back I think would mean a lot to us, or some of us, anyway.

[mnhtnbb]

2. As long as there are NO excuses for Cheney types with "other priorities"

[LaydeeBug]

3. I think this is disturbing, if only for mandatory military service is akin to a draft. nt

[crim son]

8. But it doesn't have to be.

Other countries have mandatory service as described and it amounts to nothing like a draft.

[Hydra]

4. "Universal civil defense training"?

Sounds like logistical support for combat forces to me- I got the idea that we were going to quit being the bully on the block...or perhaps I was mistaken.

[datasuspect]

7. free labor?

[Hydra]

9. I hadn't thought of it that way

But you are entirely correct. I'm glad I'm over the age range- and I'm glad I don't have kids.

Those of you who do, keep an eye on these people.

[Popol Vuh]

18. "I'm glad I'm over the age range"

Same here, but, there still is this part of Rep. Rahm Emanuel's quote: "....but there can be nothing wrong with all Americans having a joint similar experience of what we call civil defense training or civil service in service of the country..."

Something to keep our eye on.

[Posteritatis]

11. "civil defense" and "combat" have always been rather distinct

The former's typically closer to disaster preparedness, and the idea of people knowing more of that than they do doesn't bother me at all.

(Seriously, people should at least Google a term for at least as long as it took McCain to vet his VP before they go off on a tear about a new term.)

[Hydra]

25. That's what I would like to believe

But where was our National Guard during the tornadoes?

All too often in our dialogue, Defense = War

[Posteritatis]

34. ... Like I said, Google please

The National Guard and civil defense organizations are not the same thing at all, and never have been.

[jpak]

5. self delete - wrong thread!

n/t

[crim son]

6. I think it's a good idea.

Not so sure that living in barracks = being an American, but the abiity to get involved and be a somewhat capable part of our nation's defense, that would be a valuable experience, at least.

[JackBeck]

10. This is from 2006.

[progressoid]

32. Shhh. You'll disturb the righteous indignation.

[MadrasT]

45. *SNORT*

"righteous indignation" :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:toast:

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

12. I don't understand the emphasis he made on "defense"...

since Obama has put it in a much broader context, but I agree with the premise of expected, active involvement in some way, in the larger community.

[Neshanic]

13. This is just strange. Is he taking long lunches?

[JackBeck]

14. What's also strange is this story is from yesterday's NewsBusters.

And is referencing an interview from 2006.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

15. Is this a Perry Logan production?

[SIMPLYB1980]

20. LoL!

:rofl:

[Political Heretic]

16. First of all, this is old. Second ... I have mixed feelings about it.

I don't know what to say really.... I'm having cognitive dissonance. I'll get back to you.

[angstlessk]

17. sounds more like a 'universal volunteer first responders units'

consists ONLY of training in case of an emergency, including weather catastrophes.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

19. Oh The Drama.

:rofl:

[leftofcool]

21. No thank you Mr. President

I will decide what it means to be an American and as for my grand daughter, she will decide whether or not to serve, not you.

[Ichingcarpenter]

22. The California Conservation Corp is a good example and model

What he is talking about. I think it is an excellent program here in California
and have meet many inner city youth that gain enormously from the program.
Yes, they go through training and live in barracks and feel that the experience
allowed them to grow

http://www.ccc.ca.gov/

[SalviaBlue]

23. Very Misleading. From 2006. Makes it sound like this is Obama's plan.

[Popol Vuh]

30. And the last part of the first video isn't Obama just this year?

Or did you not watch the whole thing? Besides, is there anything to show that this plan no longer exists? Because I remember hearing them talk about it just a couple months ago.

I am just saying..

[alfredo]

24. When I was a kid we got training in civil defense. It had a good effect

on me. It gave me a sense of responsibility. It was part of our civics class.

first aid was part of the training.

[Ichingcarpenter]

26. Civil Defense was big in Colorado back when

My friend even got to learn to fly being a part of the program.

[alfredo]

28. We need more people engaged in their community. Instilling a sense of

responsibility for their neighbors health and safety is a part of being part of a community.

[Burma Jones]

27. Yep, you're going to have people from diverse backgrounds interact while young

and that's the "what it means to be American" part.....

One of the things I got out of Ken Burns' recent WWII documentary was how folks that had never seen a Jew for instance, were now seeing first hand that Jews didn't have horns......

[razors edge]

29. Just can't get over

your time in the IOF eh Rahmbo?

[Pastiche423]

43. I don't belive he can

And even if he could, he does not want to.

It terrifies me to think about him being in the next admin.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

31. Civil defense against what? The governement that wants us to serve them?

Been there, done that, don't ever intend to do it again.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[jmg257]

35. Was this a prelude to the "Civilian National Security Force" Obama talked about? And why not?

Public service, civil defense training, Americorps, Peacecorps.

Used to be thought a somewhat similiar (though mandatory) service was necessary for the security of a free State.

Who better to take a more active role in support of their freedoms then the people themselves?

[Vickers]

36. Was he a member of the military?

:shrug:

[Renew Deal]

37. That's Rahm's crap and they're trying to pin it on Obama. Notice the related videos? Alex Jones

This is not Obama's policy.

[Popol Vuh]

38. Any explanation to the last part of the video showing Obama?

n/t

[Renew Deal]

44. Yes, that's from a completely different event and has nothing to do with Rahm.

The video of Obama is there to mislead and confuse. Obviously it works.

[JackBeck]

46. Especially when the OP clearly gets their talking points from NewsBusters. n/t

[RedCappedBandit]

39. If the Gov. wants my service they can

a) ask me first

b) pay me if i say yes

If i feel like volunteering, i'll do so with an organization of my choice. (for the record, this is exactly what i'm going to do next year when i graduate)

[Blue_In_AK]

40. I don't like Mr. Emanuel

and I don't care if he IS Obama's chief of staff, my opinion of him won't change.

[Lex]

41. Good thing he's not your Chief of Staff then!

[Blue_In_AK]

42. Exactly -- we would not get along.