Rangle wants to re-instate the draft!

[Tony&Cheri]

Originally Posted by TexasUSA

Papa T, does that mean that you don't want Republican's staying at the Luna Blue? Just curious...

Just the opposite. I long ago decided that politics, religion and/or sexual preferences should not limit my friendships, business relations or dining partners. This philosophy extends to the hotel. What I require of my Republican guests is that they not scare the other guests. "Try and blend in" is all I ask.

-Papa T

[Seakony]

Originally Posted by Tony&Cheri

Just the opposite. I long ago decided that politics, religion and/or sexual preferences should not limit my friendships, business relations or dining partners. This philosophy extends to the hotel. What I require of my Republican guests is that they not scare the other guests. "Try and blend in" is all I ask.

-Papa T

Kinda like our immigrants

[StephenB]

Originally Posted by itsmysecondtime

So what's your posture on the topic? Let us debate shall we? Wouldn't that be something, rather than merely throwing more distractions in the way?

As for my posture, I stressed a position that I believe would render the institution of the draft a more delicate and effective tool of foreign policy, as opposed to current practices.
BTW, are you questioning the rationale of subjecting parents to sanctions for their kids' delinquence? What is the basis of such questioning anyway, care to elaborate?
And what is so disturbing about having the children of the president first in line for this important civic duty? Are they sacred? Are they above the law?

Originally Posted by itsmysecondtime

A joke?

I'm addressing the historical issue of draft evasion and systemic lack of accountability by our leaders, and you deem that a joke?

Vietnam facts:

Draft dogers were primarily derived from privileged strata - White Middle and Upper Middle class.

Parents were three times as likley to be professionals, executives, busines owners, managers etc. than the average rate.

Educationally parents "educated well beyond national levels." Dodgers had extensive educational skills, far beyond the national average.

I don't know where you come from ideologically, but I do stand by the vital democratic tenet that with the privilege of citizenship comes obligation to country, especially when democracy and the integrity of our very identity is authentically challenged.

Are the current sons and daughters of the families inhabiting these strata more equal than the rest of us? Shouldn't they abide by the same duty? Shoudln't they be subject to the same 'universal' conscription?

And shouldn't this apply to our leaders?

BTW, if you want to check on the reliability of the above assertions, read some, if not all of Frank Kusch's book "All American Boys: Draft Dodgers in canada from the Vietnam War." Check his extensive sources as well.

I'm guessing your posts are meant to be somewhat rhetorical because if not,I see some suggestions that remind me of something Aldolph and his buddies would propose.I'll be rhetorical too.

Your suggestion that the children of the president and other political leaders be the first to be sent to the front would create the very inequity your're against, wouldn't it? I keep having visions of the French revolution and Abraham getting the news from God that he must scrafice his only begotten. Pretty dramatic. I especially like the part about finding the next of kin in the case of no children.

I could be wrong, but I get the impression from your posts that you feel white middle class america is somehow imbued with magical educational trickery which has enabled it to escape from the realities of wars which only the poor unfortunates are forced to fight.

You want parents to be jailed for the action of their 18-20 year olds all because those parents have given their children the means (education-prilvilege-etc.) to run away to Canada. I get the feeling you don't know very many 18 year olds. It's ironic that 18 year olds can vote, get drafted, marry, inccur debt, commit murder, all without parental consent, yet parents should be accountable in the event of draft dodging?

And yes, let's end deferments of any kind. We don't need doctors engineers and other professionals in our military.

I realize you are drawing attention to the unfairness of the draft during the Nam era, and I agree it was unfair. So does almost everyone else. The blame does not rest with white middle class america. More white kids came home in body bags than any other group despite whatever unfairness there was.

The only way to get the accountability you want is to pull the right lever on election day. Blaming white parents for being professionals and highly educated and providing a decent education for their children is lame and not the answer.

[sctx]

Originally Posted by roni

Probably makes everything I write here suspect. I may even engage in sophistry from time to time.

damn, and I always chalked it up to your wine consumption

[Jacko]

Originally Posted by roni

Me neither. I am strictly a product of public education (except for a few years of primary education in another county and language).

Probably makes everything I write here suspect. I may even engage in sophistry from time to time.

Different languages in neighboring counties is a problem here too!

[Jacko]

Originally Posted by Tony&Cheri

Just the opposite. I long ago decided that politics, religion and/or sexual preferences should not limit my friendships, business relations or dining partners. This philosophy extends to the hotel. What I require of my Republican guests is that they not scare the other guests. "Try and blend in" is all I ask.

-Papa T

My philosophy exactly!

[Daddy B]

I love a draught.

La Rana has decent draught Corona.

As for compulsory military service making men (and women?! or are women supposed to be made into men, too?!) out of youngsters... pull the other one: a few years ago over 70% of misfits or homeless in the UK had served (voluntarily) in the Armed Forces but couldn't cope with civilian life afterwards and would go off the rails and into substance abuse.
Conscript armies only serve to shape people into thinking that when in a tight spot do as little as possible and find a way of getting out (of imposed, not willing responsability) as quick as one can.

[Seakony]

Well, today, in between cooking for tomorrow and Painting parts of the house, I stopped in at the cigarette store for some smokes. The Navy recruiter was there and I asked him about his opinion of the draft....He said it will never happen as long as congress people had children. We talked again about who was able to join up and who couldn't. They all prefer a high school diploma and some GED's are accepted. He said alot of the recruits cannot pass the entrance exam which is at a 10th grade level. He said they turn down many more than they accept. I would have liked to talk a little longer but we both had stuff to get to. I know I will see him again or some of the other branches recruiters.

[MaripositaII]

Originally Posted by roni

I think more of the sons and daughters of middle-class and up US residents need to be exposed to the horrors of war.

No doubt. Children of congresspeople should be the first to be drafted.

More than equal rights to become cannon fodder.

That's my ticket.
Ron, veteran during a draft era.