A military draft would undermine the 'freedoms' that we would defend

[bigtree]

Any military draft would undermine the 'freedoms' that folks would have us defend. Any conscription of unwilling Americans outside of a national emergency would deny many impressionable young adults the chance to lead a life without aggression. It would result in a generation of warriors resigned to a world at war, with only a rejected few left to pursue a life without weapons or conflict.

Ours is not a nation under seige, in any sense. Even as we face threats from terrorists and uncertainty from North Korea, the United States remains militarily secure and dominant. Our volunteer force is not only sufficient but the nation likely could not afford the increase in ranks that would result from a permanent draft.

We need to encourage service as teachers, tutors, coaches, and mentors. We need more doctors, police and rescue workers. We should inspire our youth toserve in our government, on the city council, on the school board, as mayors, governors. Our country thrives on our philosophers, poets, actors, artists, musicians, atheletes, scientists, and peacemakers.

I am not willing to commit generations of our youth to a life girded by preparations to kill others. More responsible would be efforts to teach these young people how to live together in peace.

Me Book

1. one quibble

It would result in a generation of warriors resigned to a world at war, with only a rejected few left to pursue a life without weapons or conflict

Did this happen to the people who had to deal with a draft in Vietnam?
That wasn't a 'national emergency'.
It didn't happen to me, and as I still recall my lottery number was 78.

[bigtree]

2. I should have emphasized opposition to a permanent, non-emergengy draft

for generations to come.

4. Gotcha

I agree with you.


I could see the value in some kind of national service, as long as it wasn't purely military conscription.

[tom_paine]

3. Our Freedoms are under siege, draft or no draft.

[7th_Sephiroth]

5. i aint helping this country

i shouldent have to serve this country just caues i live here, its nop privelage to live in this hell hole and i'm not an indentured servant

[bigtree]

6. We had better make plenty noise and stop this thing.

It's scary to read all of the flirting with the notion here on this Democratic board. I intend to make this a daily opposition in all of my appeals.

[Christ was Socialist]

7. I agree. My ancestors on both sides were raped of land/and slaves

so there is no way in hell I'm doing anythign for this government that i don't want.