Reply #15: we've got to stop thinking draft as in Viet Nam

[oldlady]

the Selective Service draft is a flexible thing--- this one will not follow the rules of Viet Nam--

for instance, in Nam there was an "out" for college enrollment-- but right now the Selective Service is gearing up to draft according to specific skills -- health care and computer technology-- and up to age 45. That means the educated, not the grunts. That is who they will cast the nets for first.

yes, women will be eligible for the draft. Step one will be to require all girls to register for the selective service, as males do-- that hasn't happened yet-- though the recruiters are out in force in the public schools.

Also, there is never a guarantee that moving to Canada is a safe alternative-- last time they agreed not to enforce the return of young men escaping the draft-- but, they could this time.

I have a son about to turn 17 and I freaked out way back in November when a commander from a near-by base had a letter published in our local paper calling for a draft. I immediately went online & saw the posting on the Selective Service website calling for volunteers to staff local draft boards. A few days later, it was gone. I had printed it & photocopied it and took it door to door in my neighborhood. We are a low-income, mostly minority, area & historically the first to go-- however, as we have followed along, I'm not sure we are the first to be worried THIS time.

Have your neighbors hide the kids' ACT/SAT scores-- this is not Viet Nam.

peace.