I just wanted to see what you guys thought about the word "draft." (and not in the webster's sense)
Last night I heard a little blurb on one of the news channels (I think it was Olberman) about the kid who had a friend shoot him in the leg to avoid a draft. ( the shooting happened a couple months ago for those of you who may not have heard about it) The kid said he knew there was no draft at present but was afraid that one was going to be instituted in the near future. Hearing the story again just made me think about what the ramifications of Bush's agenda really are; kids dying for no reason. Its no secret that I hate the Bush Admin, but I have never stopped to look at it from the perspective of a high school student who is learning about Viet-nam in history class and then going home and watching the same sort of bungled war being played out on television. If I was a teenager right now I would be scared shitless. I was in the Navy recruiters office in 1989 about to sign on the dotted line when I decided to go college instead. I was very glad about my decision when I was sitting in my dorms TV room watching Desert Storm play out. I was just as against that war as I am against its current incarnation.
I can remember people asking the question about a draft right after 9/11 and during the run-up to the Iraq war. I can remember how every politician was running away from the topic as fast as they could. I think the one politician who supported was Rangle, although I can't remember for sure if it was someone else.
Well the question kind of died for the last couple years but now its back on the news circuit because of the "back door draft" Bush and Co have placed on the current military servicemen and women. Like Kerry says, forcing people to re-up means they are non longer volunteers.
I just got around to reading an article from today's Rocky Mtn News (CO rag and the one I subscribe to). Supposedly soldiers are being given an ultimatum, re-up or get rotated to Iraq.(nothing like a little positive re-enforcement from comm-in-chief to his soldiers)
As our military is based on volunteerism, I would say that the desire to not remain in the military is a great statement about how the people in the military feel about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. If you remember there was a huge enlistment jump right after 9/11 but like everything else Bush has done concerning 9/11 the initial reaction has been strangled by blunder after blunder.
Right now the Reserve and Guard units are basically active duty military personel. With the way things are going in Iraq and Afghanistan and with the rhetoric starting to build in relation to Iraq and Syria, a draft is imminent in my opinion.
Bush, the anti-nation builder guy, has our country divided, our foreign relations at an all time level of fucked-up-ed-ness(can someone please clarify that this is a word), our economy in "about ready to panic" mode, our military spread thin, our soldiers wanting to opt out at the first opportunity, and the world in a state of anxiety about where this "war on terror" is going to lead.
So I am left wondering what happens if a draft is instituted at this point in time. It is my opinion that few would answer the call. It is my opinion that many would be heading for other countries, heading to college, using daddy to get them deferrments and slots in non-combat roles, and that a lot would just say a big ol FU to the government. I just do not see too many kids sitting around their houses itching for the chance to get sent to the Middle East right now. Also, I think if the draft was instituted it would signal to the people of the US and the people of the world that we are in Iraq for the long haul, regardless of consequence.
So as I said these are all just opinions and that is what I am looking for from you guys; to chime in and tell me what you think about the subject.
Also include any links on the subject.
blov out