Posted on 09/22/2004 3:36:35 PM PDT by Diago
| A NEW MILITARY DRAFT? | |
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It's on everyone's lips. And it directly affects YOU. There's no question about it: the United States military is being stretched thin. Our Armed Forces are not only on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also in some areas of the former Soviet Union, South Korea and Europe. At a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week about post-occupation Iraq, Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) thrust the issue of reinstituting a military draft right into the public debate. "There's not an American ... that doesn't understand what we are engaged in today and what the prospects are for the future. Why shouldn't we ask all of our citizens to bear some responsibility and pay some price?" The Senator went further and argued that restoring compulsory military service would force "our citizens to understand the intensity and depth of challenges we face." The Nebraska Republican added, "those who are serving today and dying today are the middle class and lower middle class." The draft, he argues, would spread the responsibility of military service in Iraq equally among all Americans. Senator Hagel's remarks come on the heels of statements by both the U.S. General in charge of American forces in Iraq, General John Abizaid, as well as Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who are insisting that the United States needs more soldiers to help with the situation in Iraq. These leaders are not the only ones talking about the looming personnel crisis in our military. Options that don't include a draft have also been presented by other members of Congress, including a proposal by Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) to move forces that are currently stationed in Europe to Iraq. The push to reinstate the draft is not a one party issue. It has support from both Republicans and Democrats alike. Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY), a prominent African American leader, has been a long time supporter of reinstating a draft. "As a veteran, I strongly believe that fighting for our country must be fairly shared by all racial and economic groups. Nobody wants to go to war, but the burden of service cannot fall only on volunteers who, no matter how patriotic, are attracted to the military for financial reasons." Why all of the sudden is there interest by politicians in the draft? These recent statements stem from a growing belief that the U.S. government's original plan to scale back our military presence in Iraq by this summer will be stalled by the continuing difficulties there. Despite the President's promised June 30 th deadline to give back control of Iraq's government to the Iraqis under the United Nations, it's not clear under the current state of affairs when our military role there will begin to wind down even if we hand over power on time. Why all of the sudden, should YOU be interested in the draft? You are the generation of Americans that would be drafted into military duty, not the politicians talking about it. And so we ask you. Do you think the draft is FAIR? Our country was a different place in the 1970's, when the last draft occurred. We have new factors to consider in 2004:
Some things to think about.
This issue potentially affects your life. So, if you care about you, you should be aware that this debate is taking place in Washington right now. It's also taking place among your candidates for elected office. Be part of the discussion. After all, if you don't stick up for your opinions, who else will? Take our PollRock the Vote. |
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How do you contact MTV?
As a twentysomething, I'd like to give them a piece of my mind
http://www.mtv.com/chooseorlose/youtellus/
http://www.mtv.com/chooseorlose/youtellus/
http://www.mtv.com/chooseorlose/youtellus/
MTV sucks...kerry wins we all die anyway...
How many articles have we seen posted about this latest draft scare? Too many. RNC needs to answer this NOW!
Another scare tatic that Kerry is trying to pull off as fact!
If any of your lib friends come up to you and tell you that the draft might come back, here's what you do:
1. Feign becoming upset.
2. State "I would never vote for ANYONE in a political party that would bring back the draft!"
3. Engage them in a conversation in the topic - get them riled up.
4. Get them to agree that bringing back the draft is a bad idea and that whatever party is sponsoring it should not be running the Government.
5. After they agree, say "We need to do some research, to see what individuals are sponsoring legislation to bring back the draft - and vote everyone in that party out of office!"
6. Walk over to the computer and go to the House of Representatives website http://www.house.gov and look up HR 163 "Reinstate Draft Bill" and while you're doing it with your liberal friend, mumble under your breath "I can't believe these dirty politicians want to bring back the draft - we need to get rid of those guys who are sponsoring it".
7. Act VERY surprised when you look up the sponsor of the bill. "Oh my gosh... it's not a Republican, it's Charlie Rangel, a Democrat!"
8. Look up the co-sponsors, "Oh my gosh... they're ALL Democrats - all 14 of them!!".
9. Say, "Well, let's see what the Senate has to say on this". Go to the Senate website http://www.senate.gov and look up S89 "Reinstate Draft Bill".
10. Say, "We need to vote these guys out too!" Act surprised when you find the sponsor of the bill is Fritz Hollings - a Democrat!
11. Look at your lib friend and say, "We agreed, we need to vote out the party that is trying to bring back the draft - so we have to vote out all the Democrats".
Why all of the sudden is there interest by politicians in the draft? These recent statements stem from a growing belief that the U.S. government's original plan to scale back our military presence in Iraq by this summer will be stalled by the continuing difficulties there.
LIES! It's being pushed as an experiment in social engineering and as an election-year scare tactic by liberal Democrats.
Guess the National Guard story is dead.
We need to contact the rnc Now!!! Very good idea
Sound advice.
Dean's using it--they had an online disinformation campaign suggesting the draft would be reinstituted if Bush were elected. Where's the damned press on this.
This is the campaign of a losing madman...
The next six weeks are gonna be a real trip!! Now that the Clintonista's are running the show for the Kerry camp it's gonna get messy.
"Collaborating???"
Of course. And of course the "answer" to shortages is to increase regular force size. Remember Kerry's "40,000?".
There is much sentiment for this, and it doesn't need a draft. Regular forces were almost twice the size without a draft just 10 years ago. But the Star Wars, B-2, etc. lobbies don't want any cutbacks at their troughs, and they recycle earnings into campaign contributions - soldiers and sailors don't.
As Eisenhower said, "beware the military-industrial complex"
Bump!
Shouldn't be too to dispute. McDermot is happily bragging about his own draft legislation.
http://www.house.gov/mcdermott/pr_draft.shtml
I talked to my ex-wife last week (and yes, we are on good terms, and I have sent her several things from here already about this), and she said that several of the list-serves and electronic news-groups that she belongs to are pushing this VERY heavily - believe it or not, this resounded with her strongly because of our SIX-year old! She sent me a couple of the emails (they have already been posted here in other threads) and they play on the fears of teens and mothers - both traditionally strong democratic groups. I have worked to change her mind (successful, I think) and have recruited her to start spreading the truth (or at least the links, the Urban Legend link, etc.) in her contact lists. Small effort, but the best I could do with an ex, who was planning to vote for Kerry less than a week ago, and is now planning to vote for Bush. I also had a conversation with my mother last night (head secretary at a high school in Colorado) and talked to her about the misinformation that was out there. I THINK I have her convinced to vote for Bush now, also, but she will need some shoring up. You would not believe the info that is being pushed on our voting age (and younger) teens and their mothers. Just my input... Carry on.
as a thirtysomething I need what little I've got left
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