Democrat plans laws to reinstate the draft

[Neil D]

I fear the political repercussions if this passes, but yet at the same time, I can see it working.

JACKIE FRANK

A US politician yesterday called for reinstatement of the draft to boost US troop levels and draw a broader section of the population into the military or public service.

US Representative Charles Rangel, a Democrat and the incoming chairman of the House of Representatives' tax-writing committee, said he would introduce legislation to reinstate the draft as soon as the new Democratic-controlled Congress convenes in January.

Asked if he was still serious about the proposal for a universal draft he raised a couple of years ago, he said: "You bet your life. Underscore serious. 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."

Mr Rangel, who opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, also said he did not think the United States would have invaded Iraq if the children of members of Congress were sent to fight.

"I don't see how anyone can support the war and not support the draft. I think to do so is hypocritical," he said.

He spoke as senator John McCain, a front-runner among Republican presidential contenders for the 2008 elections, called for an overwhelming number of troops to be sent to deal with the situation in Iraq.

"I believe the consequences of failure are catastrophic. You will see Iran more emboldened. Eventually, you could see Iran pose a greater threat to the state of Israel," he said.

The Republican, who spent five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, added: "We left Vietnam. It was over. We just had to heal the wounds of war. We leave this place, chaos in the region, and they'll follow us home."

[Dr. Shane]

Quote:

"I don't see how anyone can support the war and not support the draft. I think to do so is hypocritical," he said.

I agree with that but the Pentagon doesn't want a draft. They prefer an all volunteer Army. Of course that costs more as it takes big enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses. But an all-voluntary military is much more effective than a drafted military.

[lazarus]

perhaps a drafted military would do better at fighting this war. What the miliary really needs is to have thousands of conscripts to flood the streets of Iraqi hotspots and pacify the country. 140,000 professionals is not doing the jobs as we can all see!

[Dr. Shane]

I think the problem in Iraq is at the top, not the troops on the ground.

[Norman Byers, N.D.]

Hi Neil,

When I heard this I thought that it was a bad move. For the longest time now we've been hearing how badly the war has been going to Iraq and how almost daily American soldiers are getting killed. We've also heard how badly it's going and how dangerous it is.

To come out now and say they want a draft??? Bad move and a great way to loose the power they just earned. Parents are thinking, "no way, you're not going to take my kids and send them over there!" If they pursue this I guarantee that they'll loose power in 08. There are too many smart Dems to let this go though, they know that that route is political suicide.

Norman

[Neil D]

Fortunately, the Senator who is giong to bring this to the senate floor does not expect to get this thru...What he is attempting to get at is a debate as to why we are in a place that we don't wnat to be and how are we going to get out of it...

What he wants is a debate....How can republicans say that they support the war, and not desire a draft? OUr current troops are understaffed, over worked, conscripted for more than ONE tour of duty, are not getting re-educated to be a better soldier, .....We need more troops overthere, they know it, but how can we say that we support our troops when we don't give enough manpower to get the job done?

Sometimes when I see politics played with war, it just burns me...It happened in Vietman, it's happened with Mogadishu, it' s happening with Iraq....Isn't there a competant president that will get the job done right????

Lincoln when thru Generals like water....when one didnt work out, he fired him and got another....and kept at it until he got Grant....Maybe we need to do that for a while.....

[lazarus]

My earlier comments were a bit tongue in cheek but if this is the Idealogical struggle of the 21st century why are there only 140,000 in Iraq and 20,000 in Afghanistan. Something does not add up here.

The overblown rhetoric is costing lives and its all about the perusit of politiacl power home and abroad at the expense of America's finest!

[Dr. Shane]

Rangel is a representative in the House, not a senator in the senate. He may be just trying to make some noise but since when do we stop taking people at their word? Has he flip-flopped on this issue to give us reason to doubt what he says?

The Pentagon doesn't want a draft. So do pass one would be playing politics. If we want to keep politics out of it, we will let the Pentagon run the war and not the halls of Congress.

[Dottie]

Rangel formerly proposed a draft and when the Repubs called his bluff, he and his fellow Dems voted against the very bill he had "drafted."

[gina i]

A draft is forcing people to serve in the military. A lot of people who don't agree in 'war', people who are afraid of being killed, people who want nothing to do with it.

I don't understand how a draft will fix anything, other than catering to killing more people.

All the politicians should go to War, see how it feels. Maybe come back with a dismembered arm or something.

I don't agree in a draft. Voluntary - but oh wait - not enough people are volunteering - I wonder why? Because the war is such a big farce.

[Dr. Shane]

The draft can have a provision for consciencious objectors as it has in the past. So that deals with those who object to killing.

Those that are afraid to die might do well to stop driving or riding in automobiles since that is where they are at most risk for dying.

Many nations require military service by their citizens of given ages. It is not a violation of civil or human rights. As long as it provides for consciencious objectors, it is not a violation of religious liberty.

I favor a draft with no loopholes. No deferments. The only ones that don't go in are those that medically cannot serve. Special cases, like where a person is the only child, can be stationed in noncombat positions. This assures that every class pulls their fair share. As it is now we have rich, snotty college kids protesting a war fought by America's poor. We have rich kids back home trying to figure out who they should vote off a reality show while the poor kids are stuck in the reality of war.

However at the same time, I think the Pentegon should make the call. Fact is that there are enough people joining the military. Recruitment and re-enlistment goals are being met. The Pentegon wants to continue with a volunteer force and doesn't want a draft. That being the case, I think we have to let the Pentegon make the call.

[Neil D]

Quote:

Because the war is such a big farce.

When my boys are dying, I don't call it a farce...

I call it criminal neglect of duty when a president goes into war without enough information. I call it criminally neglect when he has no real plans for the war, nor an exit stratigy on getting us out of war. I think he has over steped his powers/skills when he runs the war the way HE wants to run it, not when the truely skilled generals run it. He may have been in the airforce, but that doesn't mean he knows how to run a war.

"Farce?"....no, it's not really a farce...It is something much worse than that....

[gina i]

You can't compare killing people in a war to driving a car - that's so silly. Do you voluntarily kill people while driving?

Neil D - that's why I think it's a farce.

Then again, the question to me is - WHAT WOULD JESUS DO??? Think about that one.

[Neil D]

However at the same time, I think the Pentegon should make the call. Fact is that there are enough people joining the military. Recruitment and re-enlistment goals are being met. The Pentegon wants to continue with a volunteer force and doesn't want a draft. That being the case, I think we have to let the Pentegon make the call.