Should we Reinstate the Draft?

[Tamaroa]

On my way back from the doctor's this morning I heard a radio conversation that raised my blood pressure to the enth degree. Thank God I heard it after the exam and not before. It was a discussion between Ron Kuby the liberal lawyer and Mark Simone conservative talk show host.

Their positions can be broken down thusly:

Mark S. does not think a draft is necessary. That the military has all the men it needs and that since they are all volunteers, they pretty know what they are getting into.

On the other hand Ron Kuby, wants a draft. Now remember, he is a liberal. He was against the draft during the Viet Nam war. He wants a draft with no exemptions because he feels that a draft with no exemptions will place a lot of rich white boys in harms way thereby introducing a change in policy bacause the rich white folk won't want their sons KIA in the war.

He asserts that since the Armed forces provides a place for poor white trash, Latinos and Blacks that they will be disproportionately killed in a war with Iraq or with anyone else for that matter.

Simone countered with that the military was voluntary and that if you wanted to enlist you knew the risks. Kuby then said the poor white trash,blacks and latinos enlist because they can't get a job anywhere else. He claimed that the officers which were the rich white boys to him, just sat in back and told the enlisted "To take that hill." Kuby admits to never having been in the military. But I still can't believe that he believes if you are an officer, you have it made. i mean if you are a platoon (Lt.) or Company (capt.) leader, you are in the thick of it from the get go.

At any rate this started me thinking about the draft. Personally I see nothing wrong with a limited draft with no exemptions. It will provide us reserve manpower. I also feel the military goes a long way to making a young person grow up and assume responsibility. So it benefits the country even after he/she is discharged.with What is your opinion?

[JeffL]

Like you, Bill, I feel that there should be at least a limited draft, with no exceptions. You named the same reasons I would, but I'd add that the experience would benefit the person after he or she was discharged.

[bbeil]

The first time I was in I joined. The second time I was recalled to active duty (same as drafted) due to having a critical MOS. I thought I had no worries about any more service after I got out the first time so I waited until I had a good job and got married but still got recalled. I was'nt the only one! Other guy's that already had kids also got recalled so I couldn't't feel to sorry for myself.
The bottom line is; the same guy's I waved good by to the first time, I waved good by to the second time and we had a draft back then, but it was tainted with local politics all the way up to state and federal politics. If we have another draft I hope that if you are a reservist or national guard you are first on the draft list and taking 15 hrs of basket weaving and drama courses in college don't exempt you.

[Packo]

NO COLLEGE DEFERRMENTS.

If your too disabled for military standards, some sort of 2 year community commitment working for people at the same rate of pay and bennies as the military. But NO COLLEGE DEFERRMENTS. Kids in Med School could make great Medics.

Bring back the draft!

Paco

[Tamaroa]

I agree that the draft would be a good idea with no deferments. But not to stray too far off what I pointed out regarding Ron Kuby. He too is for the draft. He is liberal and against most wars although he supported the action in Afghanistan. He wants the draft because he feels that if there was a draft that had no deferments, it would affect ALL classes including the rich. Since the rich and the powerful probably do not want their kids to go to war, they would induce the government to change the policy of the quasi sort of might be war with Iraq. Do you agree with that assessment? I do think it makes kind of a nutty sense, to be honest with you (his reasoning I mean).

Regards, Happy New Year

Bill

[blues clues]

A voluntary army is good in peace as far as it goes but when the body bags start piling up I do hate to say it but a draft will be the only way to bring the army back to the numbers it will need to keep on fighting.
razz
ps they say that a army can't learn about all the new stuff I say bullosh!t.

[JeffL]

I saw Al Sharpton harping this same song on TV last week. I thought the idea was 100% politically motivated then, and I've not changed my mind.

I don't know any people who want their kids to go to war, but to think that the so-called "rich and powerful" could change the direction of things if "their" kids may be put in harm's way is, in my opinion, a real stretch. After all, the entire Democratic Party is supposed to be carrying on the fight for everyone who is not "rich and powerful," and this is their solution?

Even if a new draft is instituted, I think it'll be so full of holes for deferments that it will be a worse situation than the previous system.

Then again, I'm a cynic.

[Boats]

Reinstate the Draft - Yes! And make it mandatory 2 years and no deferments to anyone except those who can't pass the medical.

I don't care who your daddy is you get the letter your gone.

Right now a war on two fronts will spread us pretty lean and without additional man/woman power it could get dicy.

[catman]

Draft yes. Two years active or four reserve in the branch of your chosing.

I could see a college deferment as long as you are in school, but once you finish your ass is in the grass with everyone else.

Medical deferments could be drafted to civil service, records clerk or something to boost the war effort.

[Boats]

catman,

Great idea!! You should run for office.