Reinstate the Draft?

Published on April 22, 2004 By psychx In Misc

I recently read an article that asked a shocking question. Would I be for a draft or against a draft for the Iraq war. I would prefer not being drafted, but what would every other young American under 26 think? I know that there hasn't been a draft since Vietnam, how could there considering that tragedy. But what if in the year 2005 the U.S. government decides they need to draft to stop this war? Would the masses be against it or rise to the occassion? That same article which led me to think of these questions gave some information such as a one of the draft bills being introduced into legislation, S 89. I will quote the opening line:

"To provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons 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."

This, of course, is not being received emphatically by Congress but nonetheless the attempt was made. In this day and age where the world has changed to embrace an individuals freedom, I believe, more so than ever before, would young American men and women be willing to sacrifice their everyday lives to fight in a war that the majority of the world opposes? Why are they trying to pass a draft law in the first place? There are increasing reports on low soldier morale including such extreme consequences as suicide. Much of the military remains in Iraq and their time their has been extended. They are thinned out across Iraq and desperately need more troops to relieve the ones that are already there. With that said if there was a draft in 2005 for more U.S. troops would there be public opposition in a larger scale than there was in Vietnam, and more importantly would it be the answer? I do not even want to entertain the prospect of such a scenario . This is more curiosity than it is paranoia in wondering what would happen if I woke one morning to find the coverpage of the local newspaper stating that the draft would be reinstated...

Comments

shadesofgrey

on Apr 22, 2004

At a press conference yesterday, a reporter keep asking Scott McCellan if the President was thinking about reinstating the draft. He had some vague answer about it not being discussed at present. The reporter persisted and asked if the President had completely ruled out reinstating the draft--McCellan said he wasn't going to answer the question. From that, I gather that while it's not an immediate possibility, the Administration isn't ruling out anything.

S.89 reminds me of the mandatory service required by all Israelis--I certainly hope it doesn't come to that. However, I'm might not be opposed to a year of mandatory service if it wasn't limited to national defense. For example, everyone has to give a year, but they could choose how they give it--it could be working at homeless shelters, volunteering at schools, or, if they wanted to, joining the military. Just an idea!

psychx

on Apr 22, 2004

At a press conference yesterday, a reporter keep asking Scott McCellan if the President was thinking about reinstating the draft. He had some vague answer about it not being discussed at present.

As usual, they always give vague answers. It's amazing that topics such as this one rarely receive attention from the media, it's suffice to say that a draft would receive a monumental response if it were to actually happen.

S.89 reminds me of the mandatory service required by all Israelis--I certainly hope it doesn't come to that. However, I'm might not be opposed to a year of mandatory service if it wasn't limited to national defense. For example, everyone has to give a year, but they could choose how they give it--it could be working at homeless shelters, volunteering at schools, or, if they wanted to, joining the military. Just an idea!

There are various nations that currently require mandatory service and I hope the U.S. doesn't become one of them... I would rather volunteer at a school than join the military but would this work considering capitalism in the U.S.? There are too many unanswered questions...I appreciate the comment..

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