Rangle wants to re-instate the draft!

[StephenB]

Rep. Charles Rangle says he's going to introduce legislation to re-instate the draft. Do we need this?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061119/...itics_draft_dc

[synestere]

Cannon fodder ?

[MWC]

I don't think his proposal will get far; but it is certainly food for thought.

Rangel's constituency has a high percentage of minority-Americans, and he has stated before that even though the armed forces are now voluntary, in a lot of ways they are the only employment opportunity for a lot of minority-Americans.

I don't think I'm alone in saying that I haven't "acted out" my passions regarding the Iraqi offensive because it has yet to effect me directly -- or demand any meaningful sacrifice on my part. A draft would certainly change that public impassivity.

But it would be a huge mistake on the Dems' part.

[horizon200]

He better have a plan that is far superior to the previous draft if he thinks it will change who is in the armed services!
I don't have a real problem with mandatory service of some sort, but I think instituting the draft to change the demographics is pretty naive.
He also said we will need it to take care of Iran and N. Korea...are you Dems planning something we don't know about??

[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.

[Seakony]

I have mixed feelings about it. I think 2 years of service to their country would be good for everyone after high school...just to teach them that life ain't fair and responsibility. The trouble is, the armed services don't want most of the kids today...too many behavior problems, either spoiled, lazy or just plain stupid. Those that can afford it go on to college but most of them are there to party. This new generation is a disappointment. There has been a lack of self responsibility,( learned from Parents maybe?). Too many got anything they asked for and have no sense of the costs or can't even keep a job for a month because they goof off instead of working. Yes, there are a few good kids, but they seem to be the minority. Most kids are too busy holding their crotches and mooching off their parents.
What the scary part is, even if we were attacked by another country, there would be no rush from our citizens to join up and fight, and their parents would also try to keep them from being drafted. Our best bet is to keep coming up with more technology to fight wars because, the youth today will run.

[MikeW]

Originally Posted by Seakony

...just to teach them that life ain't fair and responsibility. The trouble is, the armed services don't want most of the kids today...too many behavior problems, either spoiled, lazy or just plain stupid. Those that can afford it go on to college but most of them are there to party. This new generation is a disappointment. There has been a lack of self responsibility,( learned from Parents maybe?). Too many got anything they asked for and have no sense of the costs or can't even keep a job for a month because they goof off instead of working. Yes, there are a few good kids, but they seem to be the minority. Most kids are too busy holding their crotches and mooching off their parents.
What the scary part is, even if we were attacked by another country, there would be no rush from our citizens to join up and fight, and their parents would also try to keep them from being drafted. Our best bet is to keep coming up with more technology to fight wars because, the youth today will run.

This is a load of

[Seakony]

Originally Posted by MikeW

This is a load of

Prove it!

[Tony&Cheri]

I think that the idea of putting the children of middle class people, or rich people or Congressmen in harms way via a draft with the idea that their deaths and injuries will make the powerful think twice about going to war is one of the most callous and heartless things I've heard. Let the children die to educate the parents? What kind of philosophy supports that!?

In the past the draft has been cruel and heartless and unfair. The only thing we can change about that is the unfair part. Israel drafts everyone. No deferments. Men and women. Maybe that is the answer. Or maybe the answer is to find some way to defend our country other than by military action. Regardless I know the answer is not to pick and choose who among our society's children should be put on the front line.

Finally, anyone who disparages the youth of today is either watching to much Geraldo or just not spending enough time with young adults. The ones I have known are bright, funny, commited and have a balance and sense of propriety that should swell all our hearts with pride. I don't worry about what they will do with the future, although sometimes I worry about the future they will face.

-Papa T

[roni]

Originally Posted by Tony&Cheri

I think that the idea of putting the children of middle class people, or rich people or Congressmen in harms way via a draft with the idea that their deaths and injuries will make the powerful think twice about going to war is one of the most callous and heartless things I've heard. Let the children die to educate the parents? What kind of philosophy supports that!?

In the past the draft has been cruel and heartless and unfair. The only thing we can change about that is the unfair part. Israel drafts everyone. No deferments. Men and women. Maybe that is the answer. Or maybe the answer is to find some way to defend our country other than by military action. Regardless I know the answer is not to pick and choose who among our society's children should be put on the front line.

Finally, anyone who disparages the youth of today is either watching to much Geraldo or just not spending enough time with young adults. The ones I have known are bright, funny, commited and have a balance and sense of propriety that should swell all our hearts with pride. I don't worry about what they will do with the future, although sometimes I worry about the future they will face.

-Papa T

Yep, that would be me, callous and heartless. That is easily the most knee-jerk thing I have ever read on these boards, except, of course, for many of PdS's posts

We'll chat about over a beer in 5 weeks or so if you care to. On me.

[Tony&Cheri]

Originally Posted by roni

Yep, that would be me, callous and heartless. That is easily the most knee-jerk thing I have ever read on these boards, except, of course, for many of PdS's posts

We'll chat about over a beer in 5 weeks or so if you care to. On me.

"Knee-jerk"? Funny, that's what I thought about your post...without the knee part.

And yes, I'll be glad to drink your beer.

[roni]

Originally Posted by Tony&Cheri

"Knee-jerk"? Funny, that's what I thought about your post...without the knee part.

And yes, I'll be glad to drink your beer.

I'll think about. I don't usually buy for guys that call me a jerk.

[cpfstich]

now now kids....

[Seakony]

Papa T, I agree with you on the first part about being cruel...either all is drafted or stay with the volunteers. There is an Army and Marine recruitment office next to the place I buy my cigarettes. I talk to the men there alot when they are standing outside having a smoke. They are very disappointed in the amount of recruitments they get. Alot has to do with how picky the military has become. They want young smart men to train, not to babysit. Alot join up for pride in their country, alot for the education benefits.
I did say there were some good apples but I also see alot of bad ones too. Maybe living in the big city and my past history of working in the school districts has exposed me to more of the bad apples. I can't tell you how many endless detentions I had to set up each week....many for not showing up for other detentions. Or, the phone calls from their parents complaining that the detention is not "conveinent " for that student that week....?????? isn't a detention supposed to be an inconvenience for the student as a punishment for behaving badly? I also see many young people screwing up their lives with drugs and still living at home. Mom and Pop just can't seem to push them out of the nest and make excuses why these kids can't keep a job. How many people you know are raising their grandkids? I know plenty. I know a mid-20 young lady that made straight A's in school but makes bad life choices all the time. She just made Honor Society in para-legal school, but still can't keep a part time job, still calls her Mom to take her to work when she could take a bus. (her car was re-posessed because going out to eat everynight was more important)...(and still is).
Ask the recruiters..they don't want alot of these kids.

[Tony&Cheri]

Originally Posted by roni

I'll think about. I don't usually buy for guys that call me a jerk.

Then don't worry about it. I can by my own beer.

-Papa T