Selective Service visits church to talk about draft alternative (!!!!)

[rainbow4321]

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/158/story_15893_1.html

Brethren Agree to Revive 'Alternative Service' Draft Programs

Leaders of the Church of the Brethren say they will follow through on a request from the Selective Service to have "alternative service" programs in place for conscientious objectors if a draft is reinstated.

As one of the historic "peace churches" that shun military service, Brethren officials were "cautious" after an unannounced visit by a draft official to a church center in Maryland last October. Officials were worried that the visit signaled that a draft may be at hand.

In follow-up meetings, draft officials urged the church to dust off long-standing "alternative service" programs that allow conscientious objectors to serve in two-year domestic service projects in lieu of military service.

In a meeting Dec. 10, the church's council voted to "maximize our efforts" on alternative service, as well as help "guide our youth in their choice of nonviolent service." Selective Service officials have insisted there are no plans to reinstate the draft, and said Alternative Service Director Cassandra Costley stopped by the Brethren Service Center simply because she was in the area.

[Pam-Moby]

1. No we do not accept this 'Alternative Service' Draft Programs

We need to bring our men home.

[Downtown Hound]

2. Right, they're exploring alternative draft propositions because...

there's not going to be a draft! They must think we're really, really stupid.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. It's a good thing for the Church of the Brethren

to have this in place when the time comes, because OF COURSE there's going to be a draft. It's just a matter of time. I was raised in this church, and they take their pacifism very seriously. During the Vietnam years, my mom and dad would always have the boys doing alternative service with Church World Service in Houston over for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, so we could be their surrogate family away from home. I always thought they were so fortunate to have been raised in a pacifist church so that they could "legitimately" claim conscientious objector status rather than having to flee to Canada. You moms of teenagers (and even younger), maybe you'd better take your families and go become Quakers, Mennonites or Brethren right now so you have your ducks all in a row when the time comes. Better to be working in a warehouse packing charity boxes for needy people overseas than killing innocents in Iraq.

[imenja]

4. A draft has to be passed in the congress

My understanding is that Bush cannot implement a draft without congressional approval.

[mtnester]

5. They will find a way...maybe call it something else

they currently can invade a country without Congress...of course they will find a way to "draft" without Congress, if necessary.

[E-Z-B]

7. I'm guessing they'll call it "Mandatory Service"

instead of "the draft"

[DemBones DemBones]

6. Bush** gets Congressional approval for what he wants, doesn't he?

When has Congress ever denied him anything?

We need to lean on all Democrats and sensible Republicans to SAY NO to Bush** on his plan to privatize Social Security. That will come up soon.

If Bush** will screw with Social Security, he'll screw with anything. A draft? Sure, why not?!

[imenja]

8. not always, no

Actually no. The energy bill is one example of legislation that was defeated. His social security bill is another that will likely go down. He has also not been able to get ten of his judge appointees approved.
It certainly is possible they will find a way to implement gradual provisions leading to a draft. Congressman, however, do have to approve it. And I'm certain they are well aware that it would be tremendously unpopular among all constituents. The Republicans who so strongly support Bush's war do not want their own children going.
I'm not saying we don't have to worry about it, but to say it is inevitable is to ignore the political realities of electoral politics and the potential we have to influence any such policy.