Congressman Charles Rangel

[kyote]

I must be missing something.But I think he should be taking hits like Kerry took for saying what he said about our our troops."if you don't go to school and get an education you will end upo in Iraq"
what is so differnt what Rangel has been saying?to night he said "only our low income and lower educated are in the voulanter military." the other night he said I want folks to see, like these senators and congressman and the well to do if the draft came back and their sons and daughters started to get drafted and head to the war zone.they sure would not want it(the draft)
what the H--- are these folks doing running our country?where do they keep their heads?I know all kinds of military folks with more education then that clown.two of my buds are over in the Z right now,one has 4 plus years of college,the other has 4.
why do some of these congressman and senators get away with this stuff?even though he is decorated from Korea,he is sugar coating  what he really means."lets get the draft going so the smart  better off folks will have to go and people that influence the counrty will stop the war on terror and all will come home."he already said the low income uneducated folks are there.I see that guy as worthless also..

[victorcharlie]

Actually, I think he makes a good point, in that when all our sons and daughters go then we all sacrifice and suffer the same.....we all have the same risk.

If the draft could be administered without exemptions, meaning that everyone serves, I'd be all for it.........

[Keith L]

"If the draft could be administered without exemptions, meaning that everyone serves, I'd be all for it........."

And that is the biggest if of all isn't it.  Last time around I had to work while trying to go to college and that led to me loosing my deferment.  I spent four years in the Air Force.  I got my draft notice while in Basic Training.  My better off classmates never had to worry.

The other irony seems to me that last time around the National Guard and Reserves were a good way to keep out of the war zone.  Now it seems to be the fast track to the war.  One of the guys my youngest son graduated from high school with joined the Marine Reserves and has been to Iraq twice.  I think he may have just come home and got his discharge, but had to serve far longer than his committment.  Go figure.

[victorcharlie]

I hear you Keith........

If, like I say, there were no deferments, meaning that each and every male and female, at age 18 (or what ever) were required to enter the military for a predetermined period, and not allowed an early out, then I'd be for it.

That said, I seriously doubt that a draft could, or would be administered fairly.

I have never agreed with Rangle prior to this......It's unlikely I will again, but if we all shared in the risk of our assets (children) then our foreign policy regarding the use of the military for police actions (which the founding fathers warned us about) would probably be different.

[Cannonmaker]

Just droping in to say hello.
When I heard that congressman say he wanted to reintroduce the draft, I thought where has this nut been all the time.  Were at war and we are able to meet our millitary needs.  Were meeting them with good men and women, who serves us well.  There are a lot of people, young and old, who want to do what is right for the good of this countary, and all mankind.  It's a shame we could not get more of those type of people to goveren this great country. 
Having a son whom is a Navel Aviator, I perdicaly get out of Idaho and vist a Navy base.  My son was enlested for 7.5 years before becomming a officer.  I have met some of Americas finistest while on these bases.  We should be proud of those who servies our country.  As for the congressman and a "not too respected senetor", they "outta be kicking horse tuxxx down the road".
Rick

[Keith L]

" Were at war and we are able to meet our millitary needs."

Many people including most in the military would disagree.  We have managed to stress our military to the point where our own homeland security could be threatened.  The size of the deployment to Iraq is marginal at best proven by the carnage that continues there in spite of the best efforts of the troops.  It is getting harder and harder to attract people to the service.

As unpleasant at the prospect is I see no alternative to another draft if we are planning to continue to use our military like we are.  The same people are going to the war zone again and again.  Enlistment terms are no longer honored.  The burden of this war is not being shared fairly.  Until it is, until some of the pain starts going to the ruling class, the war will continue.

[victorcharlie]

We certainly agree on this Keith........

If we continue to use our military as a world police force then we don't have near enough guys.  Like the British empire of the 19th century, we're spread to thin.

James Madison specifically, among others, did not want a standing army and feared the creation of one.   Our founding fathers were wise to the worldly ways of man.......and man hasn't changed much over the years.  Technology and capability have changed, but evil rules the world.

I believe one of the reason's Madison didn't want a standing army was that he knew man's nature would be to use it for the gain of the affluent with the common man providing the blood and enduring the misery.  He also feared a standing army would be used against the citizens........

I know this is a different time, but the wisdom of our fathers should always be considered least we doom ourselves to make the same mistakes.