Can anybody imagine a draft in this day and age?

JackBwr

First of all, we don't need one right now. Second, I don't believe either candidate supports or would bring it back unless for an absolute emergency. I think it's wrong that Kerry's using this for political gain. I really think it could cost Bush the election.
I realize it could come back. But just try to imagine what it would be like around here. It would be the biggest bombshell to happen here in a long time.

# 1. MTV would probably have charter buses lined up to start hauling everybody to Canada and would probably pay to send, house and feed them up there.

# 2. There's a large percentage of people that will never be cut out for the military either physically or mentally.

# 3. Of those that could do it, another percentage of them will refuse it.

# 4. After we cut through that and have what's left, people that are capable and willing but demoralized because they're all that's left, does the military really want what's left?

I'm just saying the outrage and refusal that would happen today would probably make the 70s look like nothing and I think it would be embarrassing to see the mess it would cause, especially if it wasn't for an emergency. I don't believe GW, if elected again, wants to leave a legacy of turmoil like that. And I do believe he cares about his legacy as president. Besides, didn't he just say in the debate, "We're withdrawing troops from where they're no longer needed", bringing them back to this country.

The draft is for a national "emergency", not an offensive military strategy.

dantheman

I believe that the draft will indeed be necesary in the future. Who in the world wants to go over to a foreign country and let these terrorists take pop shots at us from mosques while our military just sits there because the bigwigs in washington don't want to offend anyone. I have the utmost respect for the men and women who serve, and I am proud and thankful for them, but it does us no good to fight the way we fight today. Its a shame our men and women are dying, when we should level the entire cities, like Fallujah (sp?), where these terrorists hide. Who wants to ride thru cities just waiting to hit a roadside bomb. Its ridiculous the way this war is being fought!!!

JackBwr

Completely agree with you.

Rafter-S

Quote:
# 2. There's a large percentage of people that will never be cut out for the military either physically or mentally.

# 3. Of those that could do it, another percentage of them will refuse it.

# 4. After we cut through that and have what's left, people that are capable and willing but demoralized because they're all that's left, does the military really want what's left?

Hmmm. Sounds like the Roman Empire in the last days.

n/a

Too many of the "The Country Owes me" people out there, that dont give a hoot about this country, and will run at the thought of having to earn their place in it..

1armbandit

quote:Too many of the "The Country Owes me" people out there, that dont give a hoot about this country, and will run at the thought of having to earn their place in it..

translated: sheep

hughbetcha

It's not about fighting for your country, its about serving your country. It should be a basic cost of entry for citizenship and becoming an adult with the right to vote. So why can't the ones who are not cut out for the military do something like the peace corps, or teach poor kids how to read, or pick up trash in the National Parks? Based on the type of service, it could be accompanied by tuition, scholarship, student loans or some kind of vocational training related to career goals. It would get a lot of 18 year old kids out from under their parents roof and learning to take care of themselves a lot faster. I say: draft 'em all!

snarlgard

this will never happen now
we have a all volentier(sp) army and they are the best in the world
and to delute that level of expertise with some low level conscripts
would be the heights of insanity
besides everone blames bush for this and it is not even his idea
if you want to see just who want to reinstate this look to the democrap side of congress
it was authored by a democrat, Charles Rangle if my memory is correct
and his lame excuse was to include all of the demographic groups not just the low income

Lt. snarlgard RRG
SMILE...MAKE EM WONDER WHAT YOUR UP TO[}:)]

ContacFront

As much as I agree with everyone that has replied so far, I'd like to stay some what positive and hope to think that if our great nation called upon my generation (I am 26) to arms to protect our country that we would have more than enough volunteers. People do amazing things when push comes to shove. Besides where else would you get to shoot for free? [:D]

n/a

I have had the pleasure of serving in both a "DRAFT" army and an all volunteer army, and In the "Draft" army I never encountered any nondiscript individuals , the level of expertise was no different with the US Soldiers than with the RA soldiers.. But again back then Men were Men.. Not a bunch of cry babies.........They were called to do their duty and they did it,, To call the DRAFTEES low level nindiscript, is a disservice to those that heeded the call..

v35

It sure is a political hot potato like the AWB. There's nothing goin to happen on these issues till after the election.
I sure as hell wouldn't want to have to put in more than one tour there
but it sounds like that's happening.
I'll bet dollars to donuts there will be a draft within the next year or so.
There are too many indications we don't have the overwhelming force needed to do this job.
The Army has plenty of room for those who "aren't cut out for it".
Conscription isn't a voluntary thing. When your number comes up, you're in and you do your duty like your predecessors in Vietnam, Korea, WW2, WW1 and the Civil War.

spurgemastur

quote:Originally posted by Classic095
I have had the pleasure of serving in both a "DRAFT" army and an all volunteer army, and In the "Draft" army I never encountered any nondiscript individuals , the level of expertise was no different with the US Soldiers than with the RA soldiers.. But again back then Men were Men.. Not a bunch of cry babies.........They were called to do their duty and they did it,, To call the DRAFTEES low level nindiscript, is a disservice to those that heeded the call..



Thanks, Classic. People are generally decent and competent, and I'm glad you said so.

But I have to disagree with your "back then Men were Men" statement. To hear folks talk about how generations change....it's a wonder human civilization lasted two, let alone 200 generations! Our children will always disappoint us, but it's only because we don't understand them.

Don't denegrate today's youth (no, I'm not one of them, anymore). They know things and can do things and are courageous in ways that we do not even begin to understand.

---

I'm a geek, and I'm proud of it!

spurgemastur

quote:Originally posted by vess1


[snip]

And I do believe [Bush] cares about his legacy as president.

[snip]




Does he care about anything else? --Oh, yeah, he's got that whole fundamentalist, power to the president, tax relief to the multinationals thing going on. To believe I forgot!

---

I'm a geek, and I'm proud of it!

Matt45

Forget a draft, I like the idea of MANDATORY SERVICE-
Same deferrments as a draft, serve 2 years in Americorps, Peace Corps or the Uniformed/Armed Services- Your right to vote is granted AFTER 2 years are complete.



Reserving my Right to Arm Bears!!!!

People
Eating
Tasty
Animals
Handgun Control, Inc. says they want to "Keep guns out of the wrong hands."
Guess what?
You have the wrong hands.

chunkstyle

quote:Originally posted by vess1
# 1. MTV would probably have charter buses lined up to start hauling everybody to Canada and would probably pay to send, house and feed them up there.


Ain't gonna happen. Canada won't accept dodgers anymore. The RCMP has standing orders to turn 'em away at the border.

"Every child had a pretty good shot,
To get at least as far as their old man got,
But something happened on the way to that place,
They threw an American flag in our face."
-Billy Joel, "Allentown"

Nighthawk

I dont have children and may even be in the bracket to be drafted myelf.A retired Town Police Officer was a young State Trooper and got drafted as a MP,I was under the impression LEO's would probably be out of the draft.I think if it were for the best interest for this Country it needs to be done.JFK("Ask not what your Country can do for you,but what you can do for your Country")Never been a statement more true.I would not want to go but I would not hesitate nor would I hesitate to encourage and support my Nephews if they were of age or my own son.Human life must be sacrificed for the Majority of humans and most definantly for the well being of this Country.Americans are brave but slow to anger but when that point is reached,well the record speaks for its self.I have confidence in my fellow Countrymen and Im sure there would be many willing to go.Im sure there will be some who protest as history has a tendancy to repeat its self.There are to many young people who are proud of their fathers,uncles and Grandfathers who sacrificed before them and will do the same.In honor of their family name and this Country.

Rugster




"Toujours Pret"

Nighthawk

I dont have children and may even be in the bracket to be drafted myelf.A retired Town Police Officer was a young State Trooper and got drafted as a MP,I was under the impression LEO's would probably be out of the draft.I think if it were for the best interest for this Country it needs to be done.JFK("Ask not what your Country can do for you,but what you can do for your Country")Never been a statement more true.I would not want to go but I would not hesitate nor would I hesitate to encourage and support my Nephews if they were of age or my own son.Human life must be sacrificed for the Majority of humans and most definantly for the well being of this Country.Americans are brave but slow to anger but when that point is reached,well the record speaks for its self.I have confidence in my fellow Countrymen and Im sure there would be many willing to go.Im sure there will be some who protest as history has a tendancy to repeat its self.There are to many young people who are proud of their fathers,uncles and Grandfathers who sacrificed before them and will do the same.In honor of their family name and this Country.

Rugster




"Toujours Pret"

snarlgard

quote:Originally posted by Classic095
I have had the pleasure of serving in both a "DRAFT" army and an all volunteer army, and In the "Draft" army I never encountered any nondiscript individuals , the level of expertise was no different with the US Soldiers than with the RA soldiers.. But again back then Men were Men.. Not a bunch of cry babies.........They were called to do their duty and they did it,, To call the DRAFTEES low level nindiscript, is a disservice to those that heeded the call..






I beleave that if you look a little more closely you will see that I said CONSCRIPTS not nondiscripts
as the meaning of both words is quite different
I am proud of the service that vet's have given to our country in all the conflicts,past and present
however I stand behind my thesis that I would rather have a solder that wants to be in the service, than one who does not and who's heart is not in it.
A conscript who heart is not it, I feel is more of a detrement to his unit, both with his lack of enthusiem and possible to constant onagering( with all the detremital effects to moral)
I still beleave that the present military force of the USA is the best in the world, with the most pride, the best equipment,and the best training.
Which I feel would suffer in a switch to a draft army.
sorry for the rant but I felt that you had misunderstood the post that I had left

Lt. snarlgard RRG
SMILE...MAKE EM WONDER WHAT YOUR UP TO[}:)]

n/a

Probably misread the post, however, I saw just as many bad, Enlistees as I did Draftees, and most draftees were very proficient, at their jobs, It used to be if Drafted, it was accepted as doing ones duty to their country,, now it is an inconvenience, GEE, I dont owe anyone anything,,

snarlgard

not a problem
I just felt that you had missed the point of my argument and wished to clear up the misconception

Lt. snarlgard RRG
SMILE...MAKE EM WONDER WHAT YOUR UP TO[}:)]

plains scout

yep

One more world trade tower and we may see it.

However this generation certainly does have many "What is in it for me" attitudes. I see it all the time in juvenile court.



"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
~Abraham Lincoln