Posted on 12/22/2006 8:11:59 AM PST by TexKat
Dec. 22 - The Selective Service System is making plans to test its draft machinery in case Congress and President Bush need it, even though the White House says it doesn't want to bring back the draft.
The agency is planning a comprehensive test -- not run since 1998 -- of its military draft systems, a Selective Service official said.
The test itself would not likely occur until 2009.
Scott Campbell, the service's director for operations and chief information officer, cautioned that the "readiness exercise" does not mean the agency is gearing up to resume the draft.
"We're kind of like a fire extinguisher. We sit on a shelf," Campbell told The Associated Press. "Unless the president and Congress get together and say, 'Turn the machine on' ... we're still on the shelf."
Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson prompted speculation about the draft Thursday when he told reporters in New York that "society would benefit" if the U.S. were to bring back the draft. Later he issued a statement saying he does not support reinstituting a draft.
The administration has for years forcefully opposed bringing back the draft, and the White House said Thursday that policy has not changed and no proposal to reinstate the draft is being considered.
The "readiness exercise" would test the system that randomly chooses draftees by birth date and its network of appeal boards that decide how to deal with conscientious objectors and others who want to delay reporting for duty, Campbell said.
(Excerpt) Read more at abclocal.go.com ...
Selective Service Plans 'Readiness' Military Draft Tests ping!
Wow, not since 1998? Geez, I wonder if the tubes will still fire up?
</sarc>
Typical political mumbo-jumbo for, The draft is coming, and very soon.
Unless there is some other way to triple or quadruple our forces, lets get on with it.....time's a-wasting and the global jihad advances.
Perhaps they're getting ready to respond to Iran & Friends.
It's time we and our allies get serious regarding the war against radical iSlam. Now, not later. I don't back a draft, but I wholeheartedly agree with the concept of expansion of our armed forces. The problem with that, of course, is that there simply may not be time to do it via volunteer efforts. The world war is upon us, but many Americans simply want to keep their heads in the sand and carry on like nothing is happening. To the point, there is no recognition of self-sacrifice - there is no national war effort.
When I see US industry gearing up for war production (e.g., GM and Ford being tasked to produce tanks), then I'll know we're serious. Until then, everything else is just an illusion.
You obviously aren't the parent of a 17 year old child looking forward to entering college and starting a career and life for himself outside of the military.
I'm behind what our country is doing and needs to do but this is disturbing news for people like me.
Bush insuring no Republican gets anywhere close to the White House for the next decade at least!
It makes me feel good that you have that kind of faith in today's young men. Sadly, I don't
If a draft were instated, I expect the majority of those selected to leave the country or sue somebody, if not everybody or both. Just my opinion.
"Bush insuring no Republican gets anywhere close to the White House for the next decade at least!"
No offense but it states in the article that the White House doesn't back a draft. Perhaps you meant "AP insuring..." I suspect those people employed in the Selective Service system are paid to do something.
The country was no different on December 6, 1941...than it is today.
Fully one-third of Americans were against fighting WWII.
The Day of Infamy brought this country together...as did 9-11-01.
It seems because we are so technologically advanced compared to our enemies, we don't do well in "small wars"...if 'well' means clear victory and ensuing peace.
Who decided to run the drill? A paper pusher in Selective Service or was the order passed down from higher up in the Administration? The article didn't say for sure, so it'll be attributed to Bush and the GOP.
At the very least, hazardous duty pay should be worth $100K per year.
Take it out of Iraq's oil revenue.
Once the Iraqis see how much cash that translates to...perhaps they'll put tribal vengeance in the back seat and start building a country.
"The article didn't say for sure, so it'll be attributed to Bush and the GOP."
Unfortunately that's true. I do agree with the notion that instituting a draft would end Republicans for some time, though. Even further, I expect the public outcry would be so great, our enemies would get a grand picture of how unwilling most of us are to defend ourselves. It will have to get extremely BAD in the US to change that, IMO.
I'm sure you mean well... however if your country needs your child then it's probably because your child won't have a college to go to if we don't call up a draft.
Yes indeed, the draft is as essential to our survival now as it was in the Vietnam era. Oh, wait....
You obviously aren't the parent of a 17 year old child looking forward to entering college and starting a career and life for himself outside of the military.
It's called patiotism, Sam.
I could not be more proud of my two boys, one an OIF veteran having spent 13 months in Iraq and probably heading back in the near future and another heading over in Feb.
Yes, they have put their education on hold for now, but they will hold their heads up knowing they SERVED their country well.
Very proud mom of a Soldier and a Marine
Step 1: Figure out how to exempt the children of the rich.
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