Pending Draft Legislation Targeted for Spring 2005

The Draft will Start in June 2005





There is pending legislation in the House and Senate (twin bills: S 89 and HR 163) which will time the program's initiation so the draft can begin at early as Spring 2005 -- just after the 2004 presidential election. The administration is quietly trying to get these bills passed now, while the public's attention is on the elections, so our action on this is needed immediately.

$28 million has been added to the 2004 Selective Service System (SSS) budget to prepare for a military draft that could start as early as June 15, 2005. Selective Service must report to Bush on March 31, 2005 that the system, which has lain dormant for decades, is ready for activation. Please see website: www.sss.gov/perfplan_fy2004.html to view the sss annual performance plan - fiscal year 2004.

The pentagon has quietly begun a public campaign to fill all 10,350 draft board positions and 11,070 appeals board slots nationwide.. Though this is an unpopular election year topic, military experts and influential members of congress are suggesting that if Rumsfeld's prediction of a "long, hard slog" in Iraq and Afghanistan [and a permanent state of war on "terrorism"] proves accurate, the U.S. may have no choice but to draft.



Congress brought twin bills, S. 89 and HR 163 forward this year, http://www.hslda.org/legislation/na...s89/default.asp entitled the Universal National Service Act of 2003, "to provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons [age 18--26] in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes." These active bills currently sit in the committee on armed services.

Dodging the draft will be more difficult than those from the Vietnam era.

College and Canada will not be options. In December 2001, Canada and the U.S. signed a "smart border declaration," which could be used to keep would-be draft dodgers in. Signed by Canada's minister of foreign affairs, John Manley, and U.S. Homeland Security director, Tom Ridge, the declaration involves a 30-point plan which implements, among other things, a "pre-clearance agreement" of people entering and departing each country. Reforms aimed at making the draft more equitable along gender and class lines also eliminates higher education as a shelter. Underclassmen would only be able to postpone service until the end of their current semester. Seniors would have until the end of the academic year.



Even those voters who currently support US actions abroad may still object to this move, knowing their own children or grandchildren will not have a say about whether to fight. Not that it should make a difference, but this plan, among other things, eliminates higher education as a
shelter and includes women in the draft.

The public has a right to air their opinions about such an important decision.

Please send this on to all the friends, parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and cousins that you know. Let your children know too -- it's their future, and they can be a powerful voice for change!

Please also contact your representatives to ask them why they aren't telling their constituents about these bills -- and contact newspapers and other media outlets to ask them why they're not covering this important story.



http://congress.org/congressorg/issues/alert/?alertid=5834001&content_dir=ua_congressorg (http://congress.org/congressorg/issues/alert/?alertid=5834001&content_dir=ua_congressorg)

Both of the bills mentioned in that bit were introduced 19 months ago in early January 2003. Search http://thomas.loc.gov to read them.

What a couple of clowns. And also, note that the bill was introduced by senator Fritz Hollings, a real POS of a guy. I believe it was him who got over one million dollars of campaign contributions from NON-CONSTITUENT SOURCES.

Well, I, for one, will be glad to be rid of this sinking chip of a country. It's really turning into Soviet Russia all over again. I wouldn't be surprised if in 50 years concentration camps are reinstituted, of course with different names. Like "Non-patrotic internment areas" or some syntatically equivalent phrase.

Both of the bills mentioned in that bit were introduced 19 months ago in early January 2003. Search http://thomas.loc.gov to read them.

There's also information on: www.snopes.com
The bills were introduced in 2003 and specify compulsory national service, although not necessarily military service. At the speed the government moves, if they passed the bills tomorrow, we'd never have a draft by the end of 2005.

Glynette

I hate the very thought of a draft. It just fills me with dread thinking that my children could be drafted into the military against their will. An all-volunteer military is much more desirable except in extreme (world war type)scenarios.

Is there anything we can do to rally support against this.

I wonder though -- what would our country be like if 1 year of mandatory service at age 18 was required? Perhaps some education could be included so those going on to college would have some of their basics out of the way -

Would it create an even better "regular" military ? Would it help our youth start their adult lives with some basic discipline that would benefit them? Would it help those of our youth who are on the wrong path correct thier compass? Would it improve the health of the next generation?

I think if I did support this idea this group would be the last to go to battle - after the reserves.

Just exploring some of the possible positives.

Just exploring some of the possible positives.

A lot of people are arguing for the draft as a "rite of passage" which is something that Americans in general don't have. One of the ideas I've heard isn't necessarily a military draft, the military would be an option, but so would joining a community service type organization.

That's not a bad idea, but I'm not sure I support it on general principle.

The other pro-draft argument is that the military has become the employer of last resort in this country and thus its ranks are made up of mostly lower-class, often minority troops. The idea is that politicians thik harder about war when their own kids are the ones doing the fighting ("No unpopular war can survive the draft").

Of course the problem with this line of thinking is that it never works out that way. W didn't fight in Vietnam for precisely the reason that his daddy was rich and there's no reason to think that a kid in a similar situation would have to fight.

Overall, I think the draft is a bad idea. But that's just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

A lot of people are arguing for the draft as a "rite of passage" which is something that Americans in general don't have.

Well - I dont think it would be a terrible idea for our youth to have to give a little back to their country - assuming the wars are left to be fought by the professional military and not these draftees. On the positive side, as I said before, it might do alot of good. But to me its paramount that these draftees not be used to fight a war.

The other pro-draft argument is that the military has become the employer of last resort in this country and thus its ranks are made up of mostly lower-class, often minority troops.
I dont think its become an employer of last resort, but I think it gives your average minority kid the best and easiest chance at a productive future. Many of these kids wouldnt be able to get into college or be able to afford it, and this gives them a career. It almost is a de facto affirmitive action program.

Well - I dont think it would be a terrible idea for our youth to have to give a little back to their country - assuming the wars are left to be fought by the professional military and not these draftees. On the positive side, as I said before, it might do alot of good. But to me its paramount that these draftees not be used to fight a war.

I'm not completely against the idea of, say, a community service class being mandatory for graduation or somesuch. But I have a problem with the idea of people being made to do things in a "free" society. I basically have to take them on a situation by situation basis, but the draft has always left a bad taste in my mouth, because, by definition, you may be forced to die at an early age.

[I dont think its become an employer of last resort, but I think it gives your average minority kid the best and easiest chance at a productive future. Many of these kids wouldnt be able to get into college or be able to afford it, and this gives them a career. It almost is a de facto affirmitive action program.

Well, that's pretty close. A lot of people see the military as their only out, and a lot of these people are poor. While not necessarily "the employer of last resort." The military is, in some ways, a giant public works program, giving jobs/education/careers to people who may not otherwise be able to get them. While a draft may or may not spread the potential danger around so that not only the poor kids get it, the system would have to be re-worked VERY THOROUGHLY to prevent the abuses of the past.

Quit your grousing here and e-mail you congressman and senator, often. Also push for a clause that these folks, (the congressmen and senators), relations get top billing, with no way for an easy way out. I had a selective service number and I'm glad Nixon got us out of Vietnam after the democrat presidents had us there for a decade. The draft is for when your up against the wall not for when your playing politics.

I agree, I do not like the idea of a draft at a time when there are no major wars. (i dont know what you want to call iraq but i dont think it is that major) I also question the motive of this draft. The military aspirations of W's administration, i think not. One thing i cannot stand is being bullied into doing something i do not agree with. A draft during a world war for a true good cause, i understand but i do not think it is neccessary for our current conflict. I do not believe anything is being handled diplomatically in the administration pulling back up the draft, i personally feel they are jumping right to braun. The picture of yo sammedy sam comes to mind when he is firing his two pistols in the air. i also feel that the present administration has undermined and tarnished years of leadership that has kept some decency in the government.

Just my opinion. Excellent topic once again. Gets the blood pumping.

As far as the community service option, that would be nice also.

- i also feel that the present administration has undermined and tarnished years of leadership that has kept some decency in the government.

Just my opinion. Excellent topic once again. Gets the blood pumping.

As far as the community service option, that would be nice also.
I cannot recall the leadership of our government being an icon of decency at any time that I can recall (back into the early '60s) except for a few brief incidents.

I think we are being distracted from the actions that result in things we don't like. To a large part the president is a fall guy for the actions of the congress who no one realy pays attention to. Kind of like how we dislike the way the IRS does business and gripe about them when it's the congress that's responsible for the laws and regulations the IRS operates under.

Most americans don't know who their congressman, senator, assemlyman, state senator, or even local goverment leaders are let alone what they are doing. So they fell free to do whatever-----------.

Even worse are those who have become experts in geopolitics who have no knowlege of the cultures involved and how they percieve things in countries they cannot even find on a map.

Very good point.

I wonder though -- what would our country be like if 1 year of mandatory service at age 18 was required? Perhaps some education could be included so those going on to college would have some of their basics out of the way -

Would it create an even better "regular" military ? Would it help our youth start their adult lives with some basic discipline that would benefit them? Would it help those of our youth who are on the wrong path correct thier compass? Would it improve the health of the next generation?

I think if I did support this idea this group would be the last to go to battle - after the reserves.

Just exploring some of the possible positives.


All I know is that. I would not want to go!

:I If I get a letter in the mail to go to Iraq, You guy's will get Emails from me from Mexico or some other country cause they ain't no way some Commi bastard :q Politic scumbags are gonna make me fight a war that they started, I know I know 9/11. but that was Afghanistan, Iraq conflict is just something that Bush decided to start.(He thinks his dad did a bad job) Anyway's I think if this happens there will be another flower power birgade outside of capitol hill in D.C. I t will be the sixties all over again. :eek:

Fight the power man j/k :F
Peace love dove. :D

Its not like I would not want to protect our freedom. There is just some people who are not soldiers! I am one of them! Although I would like to drive the Hummer around some pits. But, I will just do that in my games. Hahaha

Instead of war. Lets have war on online gaming. No one dies and someone will win!

:I But I just think that Iraq may be a lost cause like Vietnam. (Uncle was in 'Nam')

A mandatory draft does not make a better military. PERIOD. It makes a larger military, but not better. If you don't believe me look at Iraq War 1. Remember all those guys surrendering? Those were the guys that were forced into serving. The hard nosed guys didn't surrender, they fought, and got slaughtered. But those were the Elite forces that SIGNED on. You want a military that has people signing on that WANT to sign on and that WANT to fight. Look at yourselves for example. How good of a job or how much enthusiasm do you have for a job that you are FORCED to do? Let alone one that has bullets flying at you?

And why bother mandating community service of some type for everyone? If you want to mandate community service, mandate it for those that are ON the system and that are costing the system.(unemployment, welfare, etc..)
While not all of these people enjoy being on welfare, many don't have enough drive to get off of welfare, and frankly don't mind being on it. Well make them work at some tedious, boring job. Make them get MOTIVATED to get off. I don't care what they do. Shovel snow, pick up garbage, clean polluted waterways, whatever. If you are ON the system, you have to give back. PERIOD. And just to add some gasoline to the fire, there are many government project that cost more money than they are worth. Can you imagine how much these "make work" project would cost? Take for example recycling. Buying recyled plastic cost almost TRIPLE the cost of buying new, unrecycled plastic. Don't believe me? Do the research yourself. Recycling cost US taxpayers at least 8 BILLION per year. And landfills? Many experts agree that 1000 years of trash would only take up a landfill the size of 35 x35 miles. Quick..grab a pen and make a square 35x35 miles long on a US map and see how small it really is. And the list goes on and on...Currently, the ONLY recycling that actually saves money and help the environment (a little anyways) is recycling aluminum cans.

Wow, Ron. One of the few posts you have made I actually agree with. Please don't make a habit of this. :D

Actually inspired by your commentary i just finished mailing the senators for mi, the president and dingle dingel, i think thats right. Rant on!!

Actually inspired by your commentary i just finished mailing the senators for mi, the president and dingle dingel, i think thats right. Rant on!!

Give 'em hell! Let them know someone's watching.

The best thing to do with eighteen year olds is to kick them out of the country for a year to live in some third world country. Maybe they'd think better of the USA once they came home.

Thats about six emails, and i gotta print them out to mail later this week. congress.org rules.

Hey thats not a bad idea. Kick out the spinless little winey brat teenagers and trade them for other hard working people.

Example, i will trade my buddy eric for ummm, derek (of LvC), come on over.

Eric will now be a resident of uk, and derek can join the next chicago meet, everyone is happy.

big joe

What a couple of clowns. And also, note that the bill was introduced by senator Fritz Hollings, a real POS of a guy. I believe it was him who got over one million dollars of campaign contributions from NON-CONSTITUENT SOURCES.

Well, I, for one, will be glad to be rid of this sinking chip of a country. It's really turning into Soviet Russia all over again. I wouldn't be surprised if in 50 years concentration camps are reinstituted, of course with different names. Like "Non-patrotic internment areas" or some syntatically equivalent phrase.

http://hollings.senate.gov/images/hollings_bio.jpg
Hahahaha...
Don't talk too much crap about Fritz. Notice I'm from his state. My parents know him personally and are his freinds. A large majority of his contributions come from big buisnesses. Tabacco company phillip morris is up there along a few broadcasting and telephone companies. I don't really like him as a politician but he is a nice guy.

I agree that a draft doesn't make a better military. If anything it makes a worse one.