Posted on 09/27/2004 2:10:03 AM PDT by kattracks
(CNSNews.com) - One of those "come-out-of-nowhere" emails now circulating in cyberspace warns about a sneaky administration effort to begin a "mandatory draft for boys and girls (ages 18-26) starting June 15, 2005...just after the presidential election."
The email says the Bush administration "is quietly trying to get these bills passed now, while the public's attention is on the elections."
In fact, the bill in question - HR 163 - was introduced by liberal New York Democrat Rep. Charles Rangel on Jan. 7, 2003 - almost two years ago -- and it does not have administration backing.
The companion Senate bill is S. 89, was introduced by Democrat Ernest Hollings of South Carolina, also on Jan. 7, 2003.
The legislation was introduced by lawmakers who oppose the war in Iraq. The bill, according to Rep. Pete Stark, (D-Calif.), "will ensure all Americans share in the cost and sacrifice of war."
Anti-war Democrats introduced the legislation, knowing it would be unpopular. They wanted to make the point that the burden of fighting the war in Iraq would fall disproportionately to poor and minority populations unless a mandatory draft is imposed.
According to the alarmist, pre-election email now circulating, the mandatory draft bill "eliminates higher education as a shelter and includes women in the draft" It says "crossing into Canada" as a means of avoiding the draft has been "made very difficult."
Readers of the email are urged to send it to "all the parents and teachers you know, and all the aunts and uncles, grandparents, godparents. . . And let your children know -- it's their future, and they can be a powerful voice for change!"
The email urges readers to "write to your representative and ask them why they aren't telling their constituents about these bills, and write to newspapers and other media outlets to ask them why they're not covering this important story."
It also warns readers, "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 permanent state of war on terrorism) proves accurate, the US may have no choice but to draft."
It concludes, "We must voice our concerns and create the world we want for our children and grandchildren."
Last week, at a campaign stop in West Palm Beach, Sen. John F. Kerry said in response to a question:"If George Bush were to be re-elected, given the way he has gone about this war and given his avoidance of responsibility in North Korea and Iran and other places, it is possible" that he would support a mandatory draft.
The Bush campaign called Kerry's statement "irresponsible."
According to recent press reports, members of Congress are trying to debunk rumors that the draft will be reinstated.
Even the Selective Service website has posted a statement, saying it is not getting ready to conduct a draft. The Selective Service statement reads as follows:
"Notwithstanding recent stories in the news media and on the Internet, Selective Service is not getting ready to conduct a draft for the U.S. Armed Forces -- either with a special skills or regular draft. Rather, the Agency remains prepared to manage a draft if and when the President and the Congress so direct. This responsibility has been ongoing since 1980 and is nothing new. Further, both the President and the Secretary of Defense have stated on more than one occasion that there is no need for a draft for the War on Terrorism or any likely contingency, such as Iraq. Additionally, the Congress has not acted on any proposed legislation to reinstate a draft. Therefore, Selective Service continues to refine its plans to be prepared as is required by law, and to register young men who are ages 18 through 25."
President Bush needs to address this now and publicly even if it is just a rumor.
It will get debunked as it goes around the net. Bush does not need to address it. There are lots of internet forums that kids go to - the likely target of the email. If it gets mentioned as real by someone, some other kid will be there with the facts.
It is Kerry that may need a draft since he wants to add 40,000 troops and also double the number of Special Forces.
"Sneaky Bush Attempt?"
This is just SCREAMING for a Gollum picture.
Howard Dean wrote a column that said many of the same things.
http://www.dominionpost.com/a/edit/2004/09/26/ab/
Yes, but the moms who don't read the net won't see it debunked, just the MSM debating if it is true or not. Remember, the election is just around the corner.
In my opinion, this isn't just a rumor. It's a carefully calculated lie devised by very malicious, amoral minds. And yes, Bush & co. needs to address it quickly. The only way to counter lies is with complete truth, which means that Rangel & comrades need to be exposed as the authors of the bill.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1226165/posts
One thread with info
not a bad idea!
the majority of the young people I know or see around are basically listlessly drifting through life , bored to distraction , with little motivation and holding almost no concept of patriotism.
Unfortunately I do not know the types that voluntarily go into our wonderful Armed Forces I guess .
But there are definately lots of 'drifters', out there making babies and making trouble.
Maybe for them a term of military service would be just the thing ?
Ah, but with his ability to FLIP/FLOP that may really be a 40k reduction and a cut and run.
Kids or should I say young adults are more savvy and I believe more skeptical than we were at their age. I know it's hard for some of us old farts to believe but it's true. The truth will get out there, not to worry.
Oh yeah Kerry it is that easy! I want to double the number of the special forces. Kerry probably thinks that can be done in 6 months. It will take minimum of 5 years to do that, IMHO.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/search?m=all;o=time;s=draft
A lot of threads on this dem draft rumor.
And would YOU want to trust these types to watch your back?
We have already had a few disgruntled being courtmartialed for trying to give info to the enemy. I can just see some of the types of scum I see on the streets of Seattle in the army!
Thanks for the link.
I'm waiting for someone to start circulating an email countering the "Bush is going to draft you!" crap floating around.
Every Freeper has to call all their friends who are young people or parents of young people to pass the word around high schools, college's, etc. The Prez also needs to address the issue. Perhaps it will come up on Thursday.
Kerry is really desperate to be pulling the scare the kids and old people.
Also write letters to the editor of your papers. I had one composed to send when a local columnist covered the issue for me. Jack Kelly - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
It's a no-win situation. People who aren't connected to the real news will see any denial from the President as proof that he is hiding something.
President Bush should definitely find a way to bring this up during Thursday's debate. He should remind people how Kerry has been so critical of the Swift Boat Vets' ads, but when it comes to liberal propaganda and lies being spread on TV and the internet, Kerry is silent.
Bush should also use the opportunity to remind young voters that it's the Democrats who first brought up the idea of required military service in Rangel's bill.
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