Posted on 08/11/2004 11:50:44 AM PDT by AVNevis
WASHINGTON (AP) - Most U.S. high-school students believe the government will restart the military draft during their lifetimes, and shrinking numbers are optimistic about the country's future, a new poll finds.
Among teenagers, 55 percent say young Americans will be required to serve in the military, up from 45 percent last year, according to ``The State of Our Nation's Youth,'' an annual survey by the Horatio Alger Association.
During the year between polls - May 2003 to May 2004 - U.S. casualties mounted during attacks in Iraq even after President Bush declared on May 1, 2003, that major combat had ended.
Former President Nixon halted the draft in 1973. Pentagon leaders and numerous generals and admirals have said it should not be resumed because the volunteer military is more efficient. Critics including Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry have accused the Pentagon of engaging in a ``backdoor draft'' to compensate for manpower shortages in Iraq with wholesale mobilizations National Guard and Reserve units and other retention tactics.
In the poll, respondents were asked their views of a mandatory military service requirement of two years, and 70 percent of students were opposed.
Still, more young people than not said the United States was right to go to war in Iraq. The poll found 44 percent said the decision was correct, 33 percent said it was wrong, and the rest had no opinion or were unsure.
The students' outlook for the country was dimmer this year, but it remained relatively high, as 68 percent said they were hopeful. That was down from 75 percent last year.
More than two-thirds of students said they care who wins the presidential race, but two-thirds also said they have not closely followed news reporting about the race.
The Horatio Alger Association, which provides college scholarships to needy students, issued its report Tuesday. Results are based on a telephone poll of 1,007 students in grades nine to 12 at the time of the survey, taken May 5 to 7. The students ranged in age from 13 to 19, although most were 15 to 17.
The survey has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
Some good news from this story is that teens approve of the War in Iraq. My generation is not a screwed up as I thought it was!
They fear a draft because of idiotic democrats like Charlie Rangel who put this fear into them. Democrats started this whole draft thing and people should be aware of that.
President Bush said yesterday in Niceville, FL that we don't need a draft, he isn't for it and only a couple of people from the other side of the aisle were for it.
They are trying to drum up excitement about a draft because they know it is the ONLY way that age group (18-25) is going to vote. Otherwise all the "rock the vote" crap isnt worth spit.
The draft would definitely scare would-be drop-outs to get serious about their education.
Teens have ALWAYS been scared about a draft. They're teenagers.
That name Niceville reminds me of the commercial for Rite Aid Drug Stores about the town called "Perfect"
The numbers supporting the war in combination with the numbers in opposition to the draft may indicate that they think that a price has to paid, but someone else should pay it.
I was a 21 yr old newly wed when I rec'd my notice back in the 60s..........Can't say I was happy, but, as sumone else said, I "reported for duty."
Wow, I actually agree with them on something. Unfortunately, I've little doubt that we are worlds apart when it comes to identifying the causes and solutions. I can imagine most of them would cite something like, "Republicans" and "Democrats," respectively. (Rock the Vote, dog.)
Amen to that. I was a teenager during Vietnam (did you know that John F'n Kerry was in Vietnam?), and was hoping to God that either the war would end or my number never came up. Fortunately, Trickey Dickey ended the draft before I had to worry about it.
Get over it. In today's uncertain job market a military career with early retirement doesn't look all that bad.
Keep us informed of what is going on in your life. Let us know how that conservative club thing works out.
Keep us informed of what is going on in your life. Let us know how that conservative club thing works out.
I registered with Selective Service on the very day that Ronald Reagan lobbed a couple of presents into Khadaffi's tent. I thought for sure that I'd be dead within a year.
Boy, was I young and stupid.
My opinion on the draft is that is should be a last resort. I believe God did not intend for everyone to become soldiers. For example, if I was meant to be a soldier would I have such terrible eyesight at age 14 that I cannot see this computer screen clearly without glasses?(Someone told me that this would exclude me from military service. This sourse however was another 14-year old so I have no clue whether it is credible. It would be nice if someone could either confirm or deny that.) Clearly I can serve my country in other ways.
Funny, I posted a story earlier this morning from another source about this same survey. They gave it a more positive spin. Good 'ol Washington Post!
They'll just issue you glasses with your rifle. I hope you'll be still be able to see your target through the sights. The draft is a comin, hope you like the Infantry, remember, REAL MEN sleep in the mud!
Well, people are really nice in Niceville! LOL
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