Will the threat of Draft Legislation wake the rest of America Up?

[KoKo]

If Congressman Rangel's proposed Draft Legislation is introduced what will the MSM do? What will all America do? So far the passive non-activist Americans have been content to allow "the people they don't see" to be maimed, pshcologically impaired, and die for "Iraqi Freedom."

We are being taunted with further Invasions of Iran, Syria and anywhere else Bush wants to use his "Doctrine of Pre-Emptive Strike." While Americans borrow, and refi to building ever larger "Mc Mansions," finance the SUV's and spend to keep our economy "healthy" those soldiers "we don't see" are out there sacrificing for us. Will the average "Jane and Joe American" who happily went to the polls for Bush worry about their children going to serve in the endless "Bush Wars?"

From what I understand Rangel's legislation will close the loopholes that allowed the Cheney's, Bushes and most of the senior media and those in the RW Think Tanks to escape service and sacrifice in Vietnam.

I'm totally against the passage of any Draft Legislation. But will the threat of it finally wake people up to what is going on? Something has to. It's all we have left, imho. The Threat.. :shrug: Nothing else seems to have convinced the average American. Protests, huge national deficits, pictures of death and torture. They voted for him anyway.

[Ian David]

1. BAD BAD BAD!!! We do NOT want a Dem on-record proposing a draft!

It's Bushler's war, let HIS party start a draft!

[hector459]

5. They are too cowardly to start the draft. We have nothing to lose.

Make spread the burden around. With or without the draft, the Dems are never going to win over those lying rightwing fundamentalist. If the Dems can't get their base out to vote it doesn't matter what is going on. The rightwing fools love to cut their noses off to bleed on their chins.

[HootieMcBoob]

10. Yes we do.

Especially a veteran like Rangel. Rangel represents Harlem and some other areas of New York City. Most of his constituents are poor or working class. He knows what he's doing. I support his introduction of this bill. I doubt it will ever be debated though. It would expose the damage that Bush/Rumsfeld has done to the military while shining a light on the chickenhawks that supported this horrible war.

[diplomats]

19. I agree!

I never thought it was a good idea for Rangel to introduce it the first time, although I understood his motive. If draft legislation is ever passed, you know we'll get blamed for introducing it first. Let's face it, Rove & Co pretty much have it their way when it comes to spin, etc. They can call black white and the whole country won't bat an eye.

[Zensea]

22. I wouldn't worry about that too much

Even if it is introduced by a Democrat the Republicans are the majority so it would be a little hard for them to claim they had nothing to do with it if it passed.
Plus Bush could always veto it if he didn't like it.:evilgrin:

Rangel is my congressman by the way.
& he's already on record as proposing it at least a year ago.

[Earth_First]

2. One would hope:

I would send this along to everyone you know...

http://www.newamericancentury.org/defense-20050128.htm

let them know the implications behind such legislation.

[chelsea0011]

3. You betcha. Reality to freeps wlll settle in when they face military

Some of the most vocal pro war crowd who are military age are the freeps on campus, at the convention, or at the inaugural but they won't join.

[Coastie for Truth]

4. That's the way it always for wars of choice

the most pro war cheer leaders never go.

Do you remember that VietNam era picture of the nerdie freeper with the skimmer straw hat and the seersucker suit (black and white pic - but it just had to be a seersucker) with the pro-war button? I copied that pic and taped it above the urinal.

[Swamp Rat]

6. No, but tens of thousands of dead Americans will.

That is what will happen if Bush stays in power.

Parents should start saying goodbye to their children now. :(

[kohodog]

7. This legislation lost in 04, but

if bush changes his mind he'll have a summit with the republican lawmakers and they'll goose step it into reality.

Rangle believes the volunteer army is a form of class warfare and thinks that if there is a draft with no deferrments both lawmakers and citizens will be more critical about accepting these foreign "adventures."

He' may well be right, but I strongly oppose the draft.

[trochanter8]

8. NO

Only one person voted for it in 2004, right??

[Ian David]

9. With a draft, Bush will have as many soldiers as he needs for as many wars

This is suicide.

[KoKo]

11. It will come with a "penalty" though. Having to Sacrifice for Endless

War..will make folks think about why we go to war? :shrug:

[kohodog]

12. That's why he is introducing it.

But I was taught not to play with fire, and this is napalm in shrub's hand. I think it is way too dangerous with the neocons in power.

[KoKo]

13. You think the NeoCons will put their own "imprint" on it?

Putting in the very same loopholes that allowed Dick Cheney, Bill Bennet, George Will, Tim Russert, Chris Matthewes and most of our Government Cabinet and Employees to dodge the draft? Is that what you are saying? :shrug:

[kohodog]

20. I"m not sure they would get away with that

But it would allow them to expand their wars. With the current situation, Iran. North Korea and Syria are unlikley targets for a ground invasion/occupation. The draft begins to open up those possibilities.

Then the question becomes if they can stay in power long enough to train the conscriptees to implement the plans. They won't if the elections are honest and if the MSM isn't the mouthpiece for Big Brother. I'm not convinced we have will have the voice to stop them much longer, so I think the draft would not further Rangle's intention.

As you said, I'm sure the twins and many others would find an alternative way to avoid it.
DUI might do the trick. Remember "Alice's Restaurant"? My kids can litter with the best of them! But seriously, they will need more cannon fodder to realize their ambitions.

[mopaul]

14. I don't get Rangle

or his crusade to re-instate the draft. on the one hand, it's to make bush's daughters elegible as much as the next person kids, but of course, bush's kids wouldn't go.

I wish Rangle would give it up.

[Bake]

15. It has to come from THEM.

Otherwise the Pukes will blame it on the Dems. Watch and see. Rangel is wrong on this.

Will the THREAT of a draft wake up America? Nope. Only the REALITY of a draft, and Vietnam-like casualties, will wake up this country.

Think about it: From WW1 to WW2, to Korea, to Vietnam ... to now. This is one LONG period of relative peace. America has FORGOTTEN the horrors of war. Less than 200 years ago, soldiers stood in rows and shot at each other at point blank range, or charged with bayonettes. Fifty years ago, WW2 ended with Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Only the reality of the horror of war and huge casualties will wake up this sleeping lazy-ass country.

Bake

[KoKo]

16. You are saying you agree with "threat of draft" but shouldn't come from

Dems?

If the Repugs write it they will make it like Vietnam Draft, though. They will allow all their rich friends and relatives to keep their kids out of the draft so that only Poor, disenfranchised or Democratic kids get drafted. The ones who can't get a deferment for education, jobs or critical involvement (like the volunteer Fire Department, or Homeland Security Aide) If we let the Repugs do it it will be the same as now but with bigger numbers amonst blacks, hispanics, other immigrants and the children of Moms who can't get welfare and can't find a job...the poorest of the poor. The Repugs know they are out there...they just can't get them to volunteer to be killed. If they are allowed to write the legislation ...we know what they will do.

Think you are safe? They will find a way to target even the Middle and Upper Income Dems. They hate us...they want our children to die.

Why else would they send the "Swifte Boat Liar" up to MA to run against Kerry...why would they hound all Dems who disagree with them to hell?

They never give up...They want all our Dem Children killed in their wars...so their children can prosper off the "spoils of war." Like the PNAC kids in their 20's who made millions in salaries combined off creating the Iraqi Stock market. Michael Ledeens daughter and the rest of the PNAC'ers Kids who made money and fame off the first year of Iraq.

Don't believe me...PM me and I'll get the WaPo article about the PNAC kids and their fortunes made off Iraq Invasion...Not the poor hispanics, blacks and others Americans in towns where the jobs are gone. They are dead or maimed in Iraq the ones who aren't left as psychopaths. :-(

[Sgent]

18. The repubs WILL write it.

They are in power -- the democrats, esp. those in the House, have none at all.

The repugs will simply bring up Rangel's bill, and pass the "Rangel Draft Resolution". Of course, after the chairman of the committee finishes with it, it will have every exemption that was in Vietnam, and maybe more.

The Democrats are now blamed for the draft, and the pugs get all the exemptions they want. Nice play Rangel.

[KoKo]

21. Agree that's the "chance Rangel takes" but will Repugs stand for it...

Because the publicity will be bad. Now, given that they own the MSM...I guess it might not get out...and the Repugs can include an "Only Draft Democrats" amendment to the bill...I wouldn't put it past them.

Still, I have to believe that this would still get a dialog going here somehow about "Endless War" and the sacrifices that we all must bear if Buskies want to keep at it.

But, then...maybe your darker scenario is the correct one. :shrug:

[KoKo]

17. PNAC Kids make Fortunes off Iraq while Poor Kids die!

Here's what the "Spoils of War" are about...

In Iraq, the Job Opportunity of a Lifetime
Managing a $13 Billion Budget With No Experience

By Ariana Eunjung Cha
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, May 23, 2004; Page A01

BAGHDAD -- It was after nightfall when they finally found their offices at Saddam Hussein's Republican Palace -- 11 jet-lagged, sweaty, idealistic volunteers who had come to help Iraq along the road to democracy.

When the U.S. government went looking for people to help rebuild Iraq, they had responded to the call. They supported the war effort and President Bush. Many had strong Republican credentials. They were in their twenties or early thirties and had no foreign service experience. On that first day, Oct. 1, they knew so little about how things worked that they waited hours at the airport for a ride that was never coming. They finally discovered the shuttle bus out of the airport but got off at the wrong stop.

Viewed from the outside, their experience illustrates many of the problems that have beset the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), a paucity of experienced applicants, a high turnover rate, bureaucracy, partisanship and turf wars. But within their group, inside the "Green Zone," the four-mile strip surrounded by cement blast walls where Iraq's temporary rulers are based, their seven months at the CPA was the experience of a lifetime. It was defined by long hours, patriotism, friendship, sacrifice and loss.

For months they wondered what they had in common, how their names had come to the attention of the Pentagon, until one day they figured it out: They had all posted their resumes at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative-leaning think tank.By the fall, when Ledeen and peers arrived, the CPA had a serious staffing problem. Initial plans called for 3,700 people, but for most of the year it had been operating with 1,300. Moreover, many of those who did come stayed the minimum 90 days. Mark St. Laurent, 36, a D.C. paramedic who was assigned to the economics team, said the short commitments made getting work done difficult: "One month learning the ropes. One month doing actual work. One month lame duck -- you don't want to do anything because you don't want to piss off the guy coming next."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48543-2004May22.html

[Freddie Stubbs]

23. Considering how well it worked last time,

why would anyone think that it would work this time?

[lonestarnot]

24. Nope NOTHING seems to phase people these days. Just don't

understand it myself!

[poe]

25. You cannot awaken those pretending to be asleep

:think:

[KoKo]

26. Even if they think their kids, neices and nephews will die?

they aren't engaged in this. They think the Chimp is great and spreading "Freedom" is great. Just not on their backs..:shrug:

[poe]

27. One of our challenges is to...

seriously engage with many of these people we think beyond reproach. That means taking alot of lumps and doing it with savvy and temperance without compromising your beliefs. That is difficult. Sometimes ya' just wanna' slap 'em.

[BiggJawn]

28. Only if they pre-empt "Fear Factor" to break the News.

Otherwise, Mr. and Missus sheeple Sixpack won't know anything until Junior''s letter arrives.

And only then IF they take it over to the Liberal down the street to have him read it to them...