Army Guy Sez There Should Be a Draft. Wow!

[MrAngryFace]

I'm all for supporting troops, but i'd rather we just pull them out. course im pretty sure this guy would respond with 9/11 fear mongering.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20478293/site/newsweek/

Of course, the outcry was swift and predictable. America has rejected selective service before, though always in the guise of antiwar movements. But they should really be viewed as antidraft movements, and they existed, en masse, when the wealthy could buy their way out of serving—as Teddy Roosevelt’s father and his ilk did during the Civil War, or as countless college kids did during the deferment-ridden Vietnam conflict. Not every draftee has to be a front-line Marine or soldier, but history shows us that most entrepreneurial young men, faced with a fair draft, almost always chose the front. A deferment draft, however, is a different story, and ultimately counterproductive because of the acrimony it breeds. By allowing the fortunate and, often, most talented to stay home, those who are drafted feel less important than what they are asked to die for. At the end of the day, it was this bitterness that helped fuel the massive antiwar movement that pushed Nixon to end the draft in ‘73.

I don’t favor a Vietnam-style draft, where men like the current vice president could get five deferments. I am talking about a World War II draft, with the brothers and sons of future and former presidents answering the call (and, unfortunately, dying, as a Roosevelt and a Kennedy once did) on the front line. That is when the war effort is maximized. Quite simply, the military cannot be a faceless horde to those pulling the purse strings of our great economy.

[brawndolicious]

what exactly does he say?  some generals also think a draft should be done, not for political reasons but for practical ones.

[MrAngryFace]

Practical solutions aren't always the correct solutions. We shouldnt even be over there.

[brawndolicious]

the country was basically destroyed though.  I mean it's surviving due to the U.S.

[Ichirou]

I do agree with one point.  If there was a real draft, a World War II draft, as this guy calls it, I think that the government would be far more hesitant to get involved in conflict, because it would be the sons and daughters of senators, congressmen, and perhaps presidents, who could end up being sacrificed.

[FlameOfCallandor]

What was the difference in drafts with WW2 and Vietnam?

Drafts are never a good thing just look at the civil war. The federal government fired on it's own people during draft riots.

[FlameOfCallandor]

America will have to be attacked for that to happen (a non-deferred draft), and I'm not talking about some loose knit confederation of terrorists hijacking planes.

FoC:  Draftees in the civil war could buy out of it, draftees in Vietnam could defer for a number of reasons, the most typical being college.

[FlameOfCallandor]

America will have to be attacked for that to happen (a non-deferred draft), and I'm not talking about some loose knit confederation of terrorists hijacking planes.

FoC:  Draftees in the civil war could buy out of it, draftees in Vietnam could defer for a number of reasons, the most typical being college.

So WW2 draftees couldnt do anything to get out of it?

Actually, installing the draft would be the biggest blunder for Bush. I hope he tries to do it.

[Smooth Groove]

I do agree with one point.  If there was a real draft, a World War II draft, as this guy calls it, I think that the government would be far more hesitant to get involved in conflict, because it would be the sons and daughters of senators, congressmen, and perhaps presidents, who could end up being sacrificed.

er, no.  They will always find ways to get around it.  Not everyone is equal in America despite what our forefathers said. 

[FlameOfCallandor]

Those that know the rules can play the game better.

[FlameOfCallandor]

In 1918, the Supreme Court ruled that the World War I draft did not violate the United States Constitution. Arver v. United States, 245 U.S. 366 (1918).[8] The Court summarized the history of conscription in England and in colonial America, a history that it read as establishing that the Framers envisioned compulsory military service as a governmental power. It held that the Constitution's grant to Congress of the powers to declare war and to create standing armies included the power to mandate conscription. It rejected arguments based on states' rights, the Thirteenth Amendment, and other provisions of the Constitution.

What do you guys think about the argument that the draft is forced labor and Slavery?

[Ichirou]

I want the draft to be reinstated if for no other reason than it would be awesome to see the reactions of some young whippersnapper EB'ers as they're carted off to Iraq.

[FlameOfCallandor]

Wait 2 more years than I'll be 25 and too old to go.

[Ichirou]

That's why we need to get it reinstated as soon as possible!

[Smooth Groove]

That's why we need to get it reinstated as soon as possible!

G will be like that sniper kid in Full Metal Jacket.  I can totally see that happening. 

[brawndolicious]

this one senator or representative is trying to push this bill that makes it that you can't pay out of the draft. 

[Ichirou]

Kids are playing all these realistic murder simulators nowadays, might as well put those skills to good use in the service of their country, AMIRITE?!

[MrAngryFace]

WWII draft was successful because while it was manditory, people WANTED to go fight the big evil. Now things are more complicated.

[bagofeyes]

Hope not. I've got American citizenship.

[Ichirou]

Hope not. I've got American citizenship.

Why would you?  How could you?

[bagofeyes]

How could I what?

[Ichirou]

Get American citizenship.  I thought you were an Aussie.

[bagofeyes]

My Granddad was from Kentucky. Settled in Auz after fighting in the pacific.

[Ichirou]

I see.  Well, when the draft starts up again you can always seek asylum in Australia.

[bagofeyes]

Screw Australia. I wanna go to the moon!