According to People Against the Draft, Rep. Charles Rangel intends to reintroduce legislation calling for resumption of the draft during the current Congressional term. People Against the Draft cite a memo circulated by Bill Galvin of the Center on Conscience and War. source: IndyMedia (nyc)
Rangel previously introduced HR 163 to call attention to the racial inequality in the current makeup of the military. The bill was defeated, with even Rangel voting against it.
If it is true that Rangel plans to reintroduce the draft bill, he is making a mistake that will harm opponents to the occupation in the event that Bush does call for a draft. Our opposition to the draft must be based on principle, and if we are to oppose the draft later we cannot be the ones to first call for it. Rangel is making a huge political error. His actions make it easier for the draft to be advanced, and harder to be opposed. This is not the right way for Rangel to make his point.
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