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Name:	jawjagal -	Reply
Subject:	Whatcha' think of a draft?
Date:	11/19/2006 8:35:42 PM

A senior House Democrat said Sunday he will introduce legislation to reinstate the military draft, asserting that current troop levels are insufficient to sustain possible challenges against Iran, North Korea and Iraq.

"There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq, especially on the flimsy evidence that was presented to the Congress, if indeed we had a draft and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids from their communities would be placed in harm's way," said Rep. Charles Rangel (news, bio, voting record), D-N.Y.

Rangel, a veteran of the Korean War who has unsuccessfully sponsored legislation on conscription in the past, said he will propose the measure early next year.

At a time when some lawmakers are urging the military to send more troops to Iraq, "I don't see how anyone can support the war and not support the draft," he said.

"If we're going to challenge Iran and challenge North Korea and then, as some people have asked, to send more troops to Iraq, we can't do that without a draft," Rangel said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061119/ap_on_go_co/military_draft

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Solve the illegal ...
Date:	11/19/2006 10:43:45 PM

immigration problem. Give citizenship to any illegal immigrant after he serves three years in the Army. Deport all the rest. Helps us solve two problems. Seriously, you may remember my comment about Charlie Rangel in an earlier post--he has said more stupid things than this--but I don't think the draft will fly any more than I think we'll see anything done about illegal immigration.

Name:	jawjagal -	Reply
Subject:	Solve the illegal ...
Date:	11/20/2006 6:10:29 AM

OSMS - I thought this was the same guy...that's why I posted it.

Name:	Kingfish -	Reply
Subject:	Whatcha' think of a draft?
Date:	11/20/2006 7:43:05 AM

Renewing the draft is a very interesting subject. Yes, I would totally support this wholeheartedly. The following is the reason why. I believe that America would not have the problems we have today if the draft had been continued. Military training is the best training a young person can have. It teaches work ethics, respect and an overall appreciation for the American way of life and much more. By the way, these things are not taught at home to most kids nor are they even cared for by their parents. Just because a person is drafted doesn't mean they will end up in the war. There are many facets of the military, not just the war. So yes, I think every young person should spend a minimum of two years in the military .

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Solve the illegal ...
Date:	11/20/2006 8:52:31 AM

I think the resumption of the draft would be good for the individual, the Air Force recruiting, the Marine Corp recruiting, and the National Guard recruiting, but terrible for the Army. FYI--99% of all draftees have always gone into the Army. The attitude of most draftees really sucks and it affects the function of the units. I really believe the Army is a much better organization without the draft.

Name:	Kingfish -	Reply
Subject:	Solve the illegal ...
Date:	11/20/2006 9:27:16 AM

OSMS- I believe, from a prior posting, sometime ago, that you were a draftee during the Vietnam era. I was in the Air Force from 1961 to 1965 stationed in the "far east". I also believe you live in the Sandy Creek area and so do I. Someday I would like to meet you, buy you a beer and salute you for your service to this country. God bless

Name:	Lakeman -	Reply
Subject:	Solve the illegal ...
Date:	11/20/2006 9:42:21 AM

I was in the USAF from Jan. 11, 1961 to April 1965. I was in the ANG and then joined the USAF. Was stationed at Travis AFB the entire time. Dropped airborne in FT. Campbell and FT. Bragg.

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	Whatcha' think of a draft?
Date:	11/20/2006 9:46:35 AM

A draft is a stupid idea unless our country and freedom are in imminent crisis….. we are a long way from crisis.

I was a military officer, and I would not want draftees assigned to me. It was not my job to fix our social problems nor is it the job of our NCO’s. A volunteer system works great, and there are many ways to get all of the volunteers we need.

If we are invaded or under threat of invasion by a credible military force, that changes things.

Name:	Harborcon -	Reply
Subject:	"every young person should spe
Date:	11/20/2006 10:08:41 AM

". . . every young person should spend a minimum of two years in the military . " I might support the draft if it were that inclusive. But I remember Viet Nam, and the draft being very selective (no pun intended), even with the number system. Those with clout were able to get exemptions. My husband was in the Reserves when we first married; our children were born and spent the first half of their lives in Norfolk/Virginia Beach, and many of our friends were career military. Some were drafted during the Viet Nam era, some from the military academies, and some enlisted after college. We had close friends who were involved in the Gulf War, and three 1st cousins who all retired after 25-35 years in the Army. It's a hard question. Certainly not every draftee was sent to fight in a war. But the reason it is even being brought up now, as I understand it, is because we are in dire need of more troops. One of our Iraq generals was on the news last week saying that our troops are just weary, burned out from multiple tours there, and that we need fresh replacements. It's just such a terrible, scary situation. I wish we could turn back the clock...

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Kingfish,...
Date:	11/20/2006 2:26:28 PM

Beer sounds great. I've posted a couple of times about the effects of the draft, but I was not drafted--opted for ROTC instead. Army (Armor and AG)for 4 years--Germany, states, and Vietnam. Jan 68 - Jan 71.

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Can't count - Jan 72.
Date:	11/20/2006 2:33:34 PM

Name:	Kingfish -	Reply
Subject:	Kingfish,...
Date:	11/20/2006 2:58:00 PM

OSMS-My memory fails me on occasion. Regardless of whether you were drafted or not, as I wasn't, I still owe you a beer! I served 18 months at Clarke Air Base in the Phillipines and then went to Turkey for 547 days, three hours and 32 minutes. In other words, if you ever get a chance to go to Turkey, don't do it! Now to Lakeman- Looks as if there are a lot of us old timers that have been there, done that! It seems to me that we all should get together for a beer (or several!) Have a great day and God bless.

Name:	PC Al -	Reply
Subject:	Agree with Kingfish
Date:	11/20/2006 9:21:43 PM

I agree with Kingfish except I would settle for every kid serving the eight weeks of basic training. I was a draft dodging Reservist, so I only had six months of active duty, but those eight weeks of basic were an eye opener for me. We had a couple of gang type tough guys, one from Washington D.C., who were draftees but after the eight weeks of basic, they were totally different people. Parents just can’t/won’t teach that type discipline. I have enough sense to know it “ain’t gonna happen though”.

Name:	Lakeman -	Reply
Subject:	Whatcha' think of a draft?
Date:	11/20/2006 11:32:53 PM

Personally I think that every male should serve two years active duty in one of the services. It should be automatic. When you turn 18, in you go. In todays service an undesirably, unable to adapt are released with any mark on their records. We would have far less protests, IMO.

Name:	Feb -	Reply
Subject:	Whatcha' think of a draft?
Date:	11/21/2006 12:13:50 AM

Do you have a reason for not including females? This raises another good question. Kind of wonder if we had a draft, with just males, if there might be a Supreme Court case. Might be a lot of men claiming they are Gay. Heck instead of fleeing to Canada, they might just get a sex change operation. By the way, I used to work for a female who graduated from West Point in 1966. Ponder that one for a moment. This person had retired from the Army as an 06, but when I worked for her (him) she was a civilian SES.

Name:	Lakeman -	Reply
Subject:	Whatcha' think of a draft?
Date:	11/21/2006 12:36:44 AM

Well I guess I kind of messed up on that. It' was always a volunteer thing for the women. Being old fashion I think we have gotten away from protecting our women and caring for them like we should. When they were forced into the work place it changed everything forever. Ladies it's not a male chauvinists thing. It's just that I was brought up to honor and respect women for what they do and what they mean to the family. We need to get back to that way of life so the men will assume the responsibility of caring for his family like he should and being a man.

Name:	Feb -	Reply
Subject:	Raising Good Questions
Date:	11/21/2006 1:02:08 AM

Not picking at your post Lakeman, but your postings do raise some good points and some even better questions. I guess this point goes toward a draft. How can a man or a woman be a good parent when within the last five years, they are about to deploy for the third or fourth time. When not in hostile territory those folks also spend a lot of time on field exercises or training that take them away from their families for days and nights at a time. I think this is a little more than most had bargained for. I was in the old Army where we were taught to take care of our people. This type of service to our Nation is not taking care of the Defenders or their families. How can an all volunteer force be a better force when they become demoralized by this type of demand upon their very lives?

Name:	Lakeman -	Reply
Subject:	Raising Good Questions
Date:	11/21/2006 9:17:40 AM

Very good points Feb. We and others our age are the last of the old army where the family looked to us to protect and care for them. Even with the draft after the initial 2 years if the person opts to reinlist you have a volunteer army at which point what right have civilians got to determine if they are to fight to the death rather than let others take away our freedom or withdraw and lose it and appear weak.

Name:	Tallyman -	Reply
Subject:	Raising Good Questions
Date:	11/21/2006 1:59:07 PM

I have been there, done that. The problem is that our Congress and president don't have children who have been there, and done that, so they are more likely to engage in stupid adventures (Iraq) because someone else's child will be killed or blown to bits. That is what Rangel is saying.

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Rangel has...
Date:	11/21/2006 3:47:43 PM

Already played the race card. He advocated the draft a while back because he claimed that blacks were fighting in Iraq in disproportionate numbers. He has been proven wrong, but he is too stupid to change his plan.

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