Bring Back the Draft? Your Thoughts!!

In the wake of another Memorial Day, when most Americans recognized their fallen veterans by staying home from the office, it’s worth taking a moment to consider a perennial question: Should the military draft return? Yes, argued Joseph Epstein in The Atlantic earlier this year. Epstein, a short story writer and former draftee who served in the Army from 1958 to 1960, opposes an all-volunteer force for several reasons: It’s unfair for a tiny percentage of Americans—less than one percent—to shoulder the burden of fighting wars; the American public isn’t knowledgeable enough on foreign policy; the draft could rehabilitate young criminal offenders; and, most of all, a draft would contribute to the “melting pot” that makes America great.

And Europe can sink on it’s own.

They've been doing a really good job, aren't they?

What the typical liberal does not understand is the world is a much safer place when America is strong. However, our elected officials often make the mistake of using our military as a police force throughout the world, with rules of engagement that get our military killed.

I used the above paragraph to great effect during the weeks leading up to the Reagan victory in 1980. My German neighbors were convinced that he would start WWIII. I really enjoyed the conversations I had with them at the local gasthaus, and I pulled upon my knowledge of world and military history to make my points...in German. I was nearing the end of my 4th year in country, and my last 2 1/2 years of that tour were so enjoyable, as I spoke German quite well, and without an accent.

I was all of 26 at the time. I had a great, well-rounded education, and my stepfather was a brilliant man who supplemented my formal schooling. It was also fortunate that I went without TV during those 4+ years, so I spent my time reading and traveling the local area. It was an amateur historian's dream: the lower to middle Mosel was settled by the Romans in the 1st century AD, and their influence was strong up to the 8th/9th century.

One of my favorite trips was a 30 minute drive to Trier, the oldest city in Germany. Open air cafes within 50 yards of the Porta Nigra were a great place to enjoy an adult beverage.

I also spent numerous Friday afternoons at my favorite winery in Briedel. For 2-3 hours, I'd drink wine with the owner, who instructed me on the varieties of Mosel wine, which I continue to apply today. Before leaving, I'd buy only enough wine to last me 4-6 weeks, until the next trip.

Thanks to the internet, I discovered the website to the winery, now operated by his son. Surprisingly, they ship to Texas, and I'm now a regular customer. Between that winery and a winery south of Fort Worth, my wine needs are more than satisfied.

Thanks for sharing that.

I don’t think liberals will ever understand Reagan’s “Peace through strength”, which worked. As you observed, they thought RR would start WW II and the only real military action under RR, other than Beirut, was Grenada. Ronald “Ray gun” didn’t materialize.

BTW, my Dad and RR were friends from their Cavalry days in 1939 until my Dad’s death in 1974.

Prost!

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