If there is to be a draft, how will people respond?

[Deja Q]

They are clearly not signing up in droves anymore.

And with 50+ of the population now openly questioning the administration, the future does not look pretty.

What would get the people to enlist? That is the question...

:scared:

[Daphne08]

1. What would get the people to enlist? Nothing except

something I'm afraid to even imagine. :scared:

[walldude]

2. They can't even get people who support the war to enlist

They lower their quotas to make themselves look better and they still can't make the quotas. I feel a draft coming.. right before we bomb Iran... or maybe right after.

[tocqueville]

3. an epidemic of anal cysts would break out

[3waygeek]

6. Either that

or lots of young men & women would "discover" they're gay.

[babylonsister]

4. And those who HAVE enlisted are bailing:

from the Iraq Dispatch blog link:

Camilo Mejia was then quick to point towards the success of his organization and his colleagues. “When I went back to Iraq in October of 2003, the Pentagon said there were 22 AWOL’s. Five months later it was 500, and when I got out of jail (he spent a year in jail for refusing to go back to Iraq) that number was 5,000. These are the Pentagons’ numbers for the military. Two things are significant here-the number went from 500-5,000 in 11 months, and these are the numbers from the Pentagon.”

[Liberal Ohioan]

5. Why hasn't this been widely reported

[babylonsister]

10. Why haven't so many things been widely reported?

We heard about Novak ad nauseum today, but where on MSM have you heard ANYTHING about the Abu Ghraib pics this admin refuses to release, despite a court order, except on the internet? Seems to me the media is picking and choosing what they want people to see and hear until it gets really ugly, then they'll possibly jump on board.

[Liberal Ohioan]

7. I don't think that a draft will happen

The whole country will revolt if that happens

[Deja Q]

8. I doubt it.

It'll be fun to see what happens, though.

:popcorn:

[RagAss]

9. I agree

...the question is who would go? Seriously speaking, even if these RW kooks were able to pull off the enactment of a draft where would they get the number of military/law enforcement people needed to enforce it?? They'd need to hunt down literally millions of kids nationwide. It would be a bigger crisis than we have ever seen in this country. That's what happens when you start wars of choice and don't plan them very well. This administration has done more to prevent a draft than we could ever dream of doing with dissent.

[Zinfandel]

14. Exactly Right...No Way There Will Be A Draft!

With the powerful American hi-tech weaponry they will use, hundreds of thousands of "contractors", willing to sign up for the pay. Though the military is not meeting its quota, still tens of thousands of new recruits sign up each month because of the lack of jobs. Prison releases for those for sign up, thousands of foreigners willing to fight - with promises of legal immigration, lifers in the military, condensing troop strength by closing bases to add even more troops, keeping existing troops beyond their time, etc. etc. etc.

No way do they want or need a draft, because the masses would indeed revolt. They remember the 60's (and early 70's) very well, They know the mass protests would shine such a light on their stealing, that even the media would have to acknowledge it. They prefer the confusion that no draft offers.

Going on five years of Bush and no draft, surely there won't be one before the 2006 elections and not after that. Don't expect one.

They don't want or need one...They don't care how many die, They are stealing billions without a draft, building bases, they don't want a draft...

[Inland]

11. What would get people to enlist? Prison terms, what else.

That's what a draft is all about.

[JanMichael]

12. Sadly I doubt that there'd be much protest at first. We're the Land of the

the Free and home of the Scared.

And of couse the MSM wouldn't cover the protests anyway.

After some time though I imagine it'll get ugly.

[electron_blue]

15. They'll do it very slowly

They won't all of a sudden say "hey, we're now going to draft". You're right, there would be a revolt.

But remember, there would also have been a revolt if Bush had just said "hey, we want to take over Iraq now, so let's go to war". He knew this, so he lied about the WMD's, about Hussein being tied to AlQaeda, lied about whatever it took to get 50%+ of Americans to back him.

If this gets much much nastier (like OBL's #2 threatened recently), then people will acquiesce to the draft.

Or, Bush just has to lie convincingly to get Americans to believe that something horrendous has just happened. And I don't mean just one big fat lie, but lots of little ones that turn people's faces toward the action, and away from the "magic" hands.

Then Americans will acquiesce to the draft. They might not revolt because the drafted youngsters would be told they were going to serve in the U.S., to build dams, fix roads and whatnot. That sounds good & safe, don't it??

So the question is: What new lies are we being fed now? Do you really think you are capable of spotting b.s. when it's spewed? How well did you do two years ago? This is rhetorical, and for each of us to answer ourselves. But count on it- the lies are still coming. We know that here at DU.

[bananas]

24. 1) start with special skills draft; 2) Peace Corps as alternative

Don't forget step one is the "special skills" draft,
which will start with doctors and nurses,
then move on to include anyone who can drive or wash dishes.

There's alse been some news about allowing people to serve their term in the Peace Corps, something the Peace Corps isn't happy about.
From DemocracyNow:

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/08/03/1420205

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2005
War and Peace Corps: Are Pentagon Ties Endangering Volunteers?

Peace Corps volunteers are raising alarm bells about legislation that allows the U.S. military to recruit young people by holding out the option of a two-year stint in the Peace Corps to fulfill service obligations. We speak with the National Peace Corps Association, a Washington Post reporter, the U.S. Army Recruiting Command, and a Peace Corps parent.

<more>

[mtnester]

32. Special Skills would be more than doctors and nurses

special skills covers them, and Firefighters/Paramedics/EMT's and cops, and computer operators, and mechanics, and heavy equipment operators and tradespeople of all kinds (plumbers, electricians, carpenters, pipefitters, etc)

Doctors and nurses would not be too far into heavy combat zones, but the rest of you (egads, that would include myself) would get the call and the front line assignment.

And forget about being too old, if you can walk and are in half assed health, you would go first, since a lot of you are troublemakers anyway.:P Us fortysomethings, with our vast life and skills experience, will get to go well in front of the young repubs. Oh, and all you other ladies/moms/GRANDMAS out there beside myself? You go to.

[husbandofaromanian]

13. The draft is indeed coming

They will go to their database of 18-25 year olds that signed up for selective service at the post office (as required by law) and they will draft them for 2 years.

They will change the rules so that homosexuals can serve but they will keep it against the law to perform a homosexual act while in active duty.

This is probably inevitable since an Iran invasion is slowly appearing to be a reality.

Those who refuse to serve will spend 2 years behind bars instead staining them with a criminal record. Making it Almost impossible to get a passport or buy a firearm.

[RagAss]

17. Who will track down the millions to take them to prison???

They'd need a draft of draft dodger hunters first.

[wli]

20. This is part of what Rex 84 camps are for

Rex 84 was a program to erect a vast system of concentration camps (such as are used for POW's) all over the US. During the Bush administration, these were used for the first time (that I'm aware of) for mass arrests of WTO protesters.

The capacity of the Rex 84 system of concentration camps is at least 20 million, and probably larger. There are furthermore plans to use slave labor en masse for military purposes.

In any event, it's rather probable that the concentration camps would be deployed to imprison those who refused to be drafted (assuming it's done in numbers so large as to exceed the prison system's normal capacity) and force them to work for the military as slaves anyway.

[RagAss]

29. Perhaps for some

I'll have squeezed my trigger for the last time before this shit starts.....

[wli]

22. they've already violated Posse Comitatus rather badly as it stands

Furthermore, they can be tracked down "in series," that is, one after the other. It wouldn't necessarily have to be a large force so long as resistance remains unorganized.

It is possible to imprison far more people than are controlling the prisoners. Prisoner:guard ratios of 100:1 or more are fully possible with sufficient numbers of restraints and caging arrangements.

Add in Rex 84 and the slave labor program, and Bushler is well-prepared for "resistance" to drafts or other policies (e.g. declaring himself a dictator).

[newyawker99]

28. Hi husbandofaromanian!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Broken_Hero]

16. There will be an uproar.

With more than half the nation dissaproving of Bush's handling of the war, if they inact a draft, this country will be in an upheavel, and thats a fact. If there is a draft, and they draft me, for this idiots war, i will become a proud citizen of Canada, go Blue Jays. I feel that the country would literaly split, damn, its damn near split now, with a draft, i think that would be what pushes people over the edges.

As far as what they could do to make the numbers go up? Damn, pull out of iraq, and stop combat, i bet people would be joining, if they knew they weren't going to a meat grinder in Iraq. Or they can up the benefits and what nots, but again, is money worth your life? WEll, my life is more important to me, than money...i think a lot of other people would think the same....

[LaPera]

25. Kick!

:kick:

[Carni]

18. Only thing that would get them to enlist: a TOTAL economic depression

It worked in Germany...bankrupt the country (which *it* is doing)

Throw in a measure of totally desperate people that cannot put a roof over their heads, or buy food (never mind college why go to college when there aren't any jobs) and you have the makings of some very willing enlisters.

Or conversely maybe they will just offer contract work in Iraq that pays like 8 bucks an hour for the desperate "have nots" here in the US?

Always remember the innovative concepts that this bush admin is capable of introducing for *job creation* in this country.

[CrackpotAmerica]

19. Consider This:

The question of reinstating the draft could quite possibly be the event that rips the very fabric of American stability.

We have witnessed clearly this administration's utter contempt for the poor and racially diverse on countless occasions. Should they attempt to bring back the draft, I guarantee that the results will be devastating.

People are much wiser today about the inner workings of mandatory service. And the very people who would once again fall victim to a draft would not sit back and take it. I believe that the revolt to a policy such as a new draft would be exponentially more potent than what happened in the days of Marcus Garvey, Abby Hoffman, and Dr. King. The only difference will be that these potential draftees have overwhelming respect and gratitude to our troops. Couple that with the growing resentment that these men and women in uniform are feeling toward this administration and you've got a serious problem.

_________

On an unrelated issue, a word about the President:

As this man's poll numbers drop, we must all remember that we have a much louder voice. People like Mr. Mehlman are now scouring blogs and forums to find any wrench to throw into the machine and stop the moderate and objective republican base from waking up from the spell that has been cast upon them.

For years, Mr. Mehlman, Mr. Rove, and the like have taken advantage of what seemed to be blind support from the Republicans in the house, senate, all the way down to the individual voter. This is why I believe they were able to commit felonious acts on several occasions without reprise. However, today's climate is much more difficult for these despots as the American people, in spite of their chosen party, have begun to see the consequences and face the realities of this scourge on our national dignity.

And so, It is time for us as citizens. All of us, both (R) and (D), to raise our voices in total opposition to the President and his constituency.

They are in trouble and are now left to grab at straws in an attempt to reverse our perception of reality. For example, Mr. Mehlman has an article by Mindy Finn on the GOP blog. It can be found here: http://www.gop.com/Blog/BlogPost.aspx?BlogPostID=935
Might I suggest that they have little ammunition left to keep their various cover ups alive?

If all of us can keep this beautiful tone, I believe that we will begin to see justice come knocking on the doors of the White House thanks to all of you who have raised your voices.

Keep it up!

[DistressedAmerican]

21. I Hope Just Like These Little Guys!

[w8liftinglady]

30. LOL..good one..

[DistressedAmerican]

33. Wow! Great To See A Shot! Always One Of The First I Think Of.

After all our chats I always think of you two when I hear the sotries. Tell him to keep his head down and be faor and we will see him when he gets back stateside!

:pals: :patriot:

[LaPera]

23. No draft, means no accountability, that's the way BushCo prefers it.

People would be in the streets going crazy over these illegal invasions and the sacrifice of our soldiers for profit if they had a draft. They don't want or need that.

Better to keep the people home screaming on their computers instead.

Don't wait for a draft to get you fired up, because it's NOT coming.

[kestrel91316]

26. Het Achterhuis

Hide the draftees.

[Ms. K]

27. Well, I can only tell you how my mother and I will respond

And keep in mind, my mother is a conservative Christian Republican.

My brother is 26 years old. I am not kidding when I tell you that Mom and I would take a baseball bat to his knees, or shoot him in the foot, to keep him from having to be drafted to fight an unjust war.

There's not much that's going to get anyone to enlist right about now. There's no college benefit if you come home in a box, the pay sucks, the uniforms leave much to be desired, and let's not forget, there's a nasty war going on. :sarcasm:

Sorry, this is a topic my mother and I have discussed. And neither one of us supports this bullshit war.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

31. My very conservative father told me that my boys better not enlist,

& to make themselves difficult to draft. This is surprising, 'cause my dad is retired military, & has always encouraged the males in our family to consider the military.

[July]

34. Don't look at the war hawks.

My Bush-loving cousin, a helicopter pilot in Viet Nam, has discouraged his son from enlisting, though the kid wanted to.

But, according to cuz, Kerry's a "traitor."

I can't even stand to look at people like him, people I've known and loved all my life. I see blood on their hands, and it's OP blood.