Draft..

[David Kelly]

Originally Posted by Lisa Perez

If America is looking for peacekeeping forces, the United Nations has resources for those. If it is looking for translators/nurses/doctors as well, the UN Development Programme and the World Health Organization can provide. It is just a question of whether or not we choose to take hold of what resources are provided - after all, our involvement in the UN is about working multilaterally.

Personally, I believe that we have the capability to do somewhat of a better job working multilaterally. Don't get me wrong, I love our nation . But I feel that the resources ARE out there (take the Balikbatan forces I mentioned earlier) to provide an alternative to the draft, a concept which many Americans in fact do not agree with.

The UN is a failure and the most corrupt international organization in the world.


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[Lisa Perez]

I have faith in the UN. There have been a few instances in which we doubt its capabilities (consider the controversy over the aid it has provided within the last year), but there is no reason to attack it or call it corrupt on that basis. In the half-century that the UN has been around, it has accomplished much more good than bad - check www.un.org for a listing of some of these accomplishments.

If we look the services of the NGOs that I had mentioned, or others such as the International Red Cross, we can see that they indeed have proven to be successes. They provide resources, where there are none.

Also, multilateral action is not limited to the functions of the UN. The UN is simply an example of how such action would be achieved. With this, an alternative to the establishment of the draft can be found.

[Tristan Lall]

Originally Posted by David Kelly

The UN is a failure and the most corrupt international organization in the world.

With the exception of , of course.

In all seriousness, the UN's biggest flaw/failing is that it is constantly at the mercy of anyone who happens to use their Security Council veto to their exclusive political advantage. (And yes, I realize that the "Superpowers" of the mid 1940s would never have signed on, if they didn't have this veto capability.) If the Security Council vetos weren't used so flippantly, maybe the UN could actually act on the motions voted for in the General Assembly.

And like Lisa says, when it does act, more good than harm tends to be done, though obviously it makes mistakes.

Originally Posted by Tristan Lall

And like Lisa says, when it does act, more good than harm tends to be done, though obviously it makes mistakes.

Yes, I can agree to that part, but the problem is when it acts. Many times the UN is needed to step in, but it basically gets brushed away..its become more of a puppet organization if anything...

[Ryan Dognaux]

I know this bill won't be passed... simply because of the times we live in and the fact that we're the ones on the assault. So, I'm really not worried about being drafted, and quite frankly I don't know if I'd want to go along with the idea of fighting a war I'm not entirely too sure about yet. I admire those who fight, but I don't feel I have the physical or mental strength to partake in what's happening in Iraq right now.

[Matt Attallah]

I'd allow my self to be drafted. Some may be aginst the draft for some reasion - but the way I look at it - I'd sign up for it in a heart beat for my kids and my future of living here....

[soezgg]

Originally Posted by a breezy era

I agree. I would most definitly not vote for anyone that would reinstate the draft. I think it's a pretty interesting thing that they're trying to cover it up with election year things. It's pretty sad, since a lot of FIRSTers I know are in that age range. I honestly hope nothing goes through.

apparently few read the article

THEY ARE NOT REINSTATING OR ACTIVATING A DRAFT.

For goodness sakes. they are proposing an upgrade to the draft system:

"to provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons [age 18--26] in the United States, INCLUDING WOMEN, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes."

College and Canada will not be options. In December 2001, Canada and the U.S. signed a "smart border declaration," which could be used to keep would-be draft dodgers in. "

its not even a big deal

[Venkatesh]

Hwello,

Until recently, I was registered as a conscientious objector. However I received a letter a short time ago (Apr 26) stating that my status as a conscientious objector was being revoked due to "the situation in the country". They mention that I can appeal the decision, and my appeal is currently somewhere in the "system".

Until I got that letter, I seriously doubted that the draft was imminent. However I am not so sure nowadays...

[mtrawls]

Originally Posted by Venkatesh

Until I got that letter, I seriously doubted that the draft was imminent. However I am not so sure nowadays...

From sss.gov,

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.

You might note that most politicians flirting with the draft idea are democrats (and are in quite a minority, too). Take what conclusions from that you will.

[Terminator6]

Originally Posted by soezgg

apparently few read the article

THEY ARE NOT REINSTATING OR ACTIVATING A DRAFT.

For goodness sakes. they are proposing an upgrade to the draft system:

"to provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons [age 18--26] in the United States, INCLUDING WOMEN, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes."

College and Canada will not be options. In December 2001, Canada and the U.S. signed a "smart border declaration," which could be used to keep would-be draft dodgers in. "

its not even a big deal

unfortunately they are talking about reinstating the draft although the legislation does not call for the draft itself

$28 million has been added to the 2004 Selective Service System (SSS) budget to prepare for a military draft that could start as early as June 15, 2005.

its not what the legislation does but its purpose is preparation for the draft later

also the sss.gov site isnt gonna tell you that they are going to reinstate the draft until they are sure...what else do politicians and political affiliates do besides deny stuff?

[soezgg]

key word 'activate' is missing.

newbie.

[mtrawls]

Originally Posted by Terminator6

also the sss.gov site isnt gonna tell you that they are going to reinstate the draft until they are sure...what else do politicians and political affiliates do besides deny stuff?

Oh, believe me, politicians have another favorite game. They say stuff that will get their opponets in trouble with the easily swayed masses. Bush, Rumsfeld, etc., have said that no draft is needed. But, nah, we can't trust the guys in charge of the war. Let's instead trust what a few fringe democrats are saying, because they have no external motive whatsoever and also happen to be privy to what the generals are saying they need.

The whole idea of a draft seems pretty ridicilous to me. We're handing over power pretty soon. We're training Iraqis at a quick rate. Our whole plan is in getting an Iraqi face in the battle (and on our side, at that!). Think about what a draft means -- it would take some time to get through congress, it would take some time to send the new recruits through boot camp, plus special training for urban warfare ... not to mention that the issue likely wouldn't come up until after the election, meaing, what's the point of sending in so many more Americans so many months down the road, especially when that's just the time we want Iraqis to begin taking care of themselves? New troops without experience, lacking much of the training of those there now, and, most notably, Americans, more than a few of which don't want to be there -- does that sound like it would somehow improve the situation? When working in politics, look at the source of the information, look for external motives ... and think through the issue. Why? Well,

what else do politicians and political affiliates do besides deny stuff?

I'll tell you. They do the stuff that they need to later deny. That's what.

[Adam Y.]

also the sss.gov site isnt gonna tell you that they are going to reinstate the draft until they are sure...what else do politicians and political affiliates do besides deny stuff?

That's odd because they were on the news stations telling everyone what they were going to do. Arrggg.... all I remeber the guy saying that it was related to something that was being done during the nineties. Omg.. I found it. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/nation...3_draft13.html

Congress, which would have to authorize a draft, has shown no interest in taking such a step.

http://draftresistance.org/more.php?id=16_0_1_0_M
I knew there was no reason to worry unless you knew how to speak arabic or work with computers.

[soezgg]

Originally Posted by Adam Y.

That's odd because they were on the news stations telling everyone what they were going to do. Arrggg.... all I remeber the guy saying that it was related to something that was being done during the nineties. Omg.. I found it. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/nation...3_draft13.html

http://draftresistance.org/more.php?id=16_0_1_0_M
I knew there was no reason to worry unless you knew how to speak arabic or work with computers.

you are really smart and I really respect your opinion!!

[Joshua May]

I knew there was no reason to worry unless you knew how to speak arabic or work with computers.[/quote]

There go the programmers...