The only issue that matters to me is the draft - it's coming.

[Bake]

And I have two children - a son and a daughter - of draft age.

My father, a die-hard labor Democrat his whole life, retired and lost his mind - became a Repuke. We agreed to disagree about politics.

No more. I will give him an ultimatum: if he is willing to sacrifice his grandchildren - my children and my brothers' children - in the desert of Iraq by supporting this quagmire of an Administration, he will never see me or my children again.

It matters that much to me.

Bake

[Technowitch]

1. Can't say I blame you, Bake

Fact is, I have no kids of my own (nor will I, in all likelihood), but should that draft come, there's every chance I'll already be living in Canada.

And ready to provide a welcoming home to any of my nieces or nephews who need refuge.

My spouse so happens to have been active in the antiwar movement in the 60's, and also in the draft resistance / Sancutary movement. She knows how it's done.

We'll win, Bake. We just gotta stay strong, work hard, and don't let the bastards get us down -- and most of all, we can't let them bully us into believing their win is inevitable. Because it isn't.

[Melodybe]

2. Good for you, I hope that it doesn't come to that

but I may have to eventually say it, if Kerry can win I'll never have too.

That is enough to keep me working hard.

Kick to both posts above.

:kick: :dem: :kick:

[TexasBushwhacker]

3. I'm surprised how many people believe Bush on this

He says it's not necessary, and people believe him, even though tours are being extended, they're using the National Guard (which is supposed to keep us safe HERE!) AND the reservists, career military people are being denied retirement, guardsmen are being threatened to re-enlist or be sent to Iraq for sure, etc. etc. It's ridiculous. At this point, the military is so overextended that I'm not sure that Kerry can avoid a draft either, but I know for sure that Bush can't avoid it.

[Kanary]

4. When you say it's the only issue that matters to you, you are playing

right into the whole RW agenda........ stake out your own territory, and to heck with everyone/everything els.

It's these divisions that have weakened us Dems so much. The lack of support for each other is digging us into a big hole.

There are many other people in this country in danger of dying.... yet, they don't even merit a mention.

If people in each group expect others to care about them, then they are going to have to reaize they will also have to care bout others.

Pretty simple equation.

It *USED* to be the foundation of the Democratic Party.

Kanary

[Bake]

8. Do YOU have children of draft age?

Of course other issues matter to me. The Supreme Court, tax breaks for the rich, corporatism, tort reform, etc. They matter. If you've read any of my other 2,000+ posts you'd know that. But not as much as my children. That makes it very damn personal to me. If you can't understand that, you must not have children of your own.

Bake

[Kanary]

10. If you've read any posts of mine, you know that *I'M* one of those who

are facing deadly cuts. I will be just as dead as if killed in a war.

And, it *IS* a war........ war on poor people.

You have cut off your father because he can't understand your own issue.

The same goes for you..... if you can't understand that others are also in the same deadly danger, then don't expect them to keep understanding you. One way roads go nowhere.

And, if you can't understand *that*........ you must not value life very much.

See, there is another side to the story......

You get to choose......... care for others also, or expect more and more divisions until we are reduced to dust.

Kanary

[Bake]

11. Are you crazy??? I'm ON YOUR SIDE!!

You ought to be glad that there are issues - WHATEVER they are - that motivate each of us in our own way to oppose the Bastard Bush!

Bake

[Kanary]

12. Yeah, start calling names........ great way to strengthen our efforts.

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

I responded to your own words....... it's the only issue that matters to you.

I have explained to you why that is upsetting to me, and rather than getting back an understanding reply, and a bit of conciliation, I get an accusation of being crazy. Way to build a strong party. :thumbsdown:

Nuts to ya..... you're on your own. You're "on my side" just as long as I put *YOU* and your concerns first, ahead of my own.

One more division...... good going.......

buhbye.......

Kanary

[Bake]

13. Like I said, I'M ON YOUR SIDE.

What part of that don't you understand? Or are you just offended that YOUR issue, which might be of significance to me, is not as high a priority as the lives of my children? Oh, another division!

If so, in your words, buh-bye.

Bake

[PittLib]

5. I think that both my mother (with 2 children) and my father (with 3

children within the draft age) will vote for Bush. And yes it bothers me tremendously.

[pacalo]

6. I totally understand & share your feelings.

I have two sons, 18 & 20. My sister, two brothers, a born-again Christian cousin (we're close), & my best friend since 4th grade are all Republicans. I've tried to tactfully explain to each of them that I couldn't bear to allow the government to draft my sons for this immoral war or any war planned by this neocon administration.

I can't help feeling resentment toward them for not considering how desperately I feel about the draft. My sister has turned against Dubya, but she told me she isn't going to vote at all this election, rather than voting for someone who will not condemn abortion.

I totally understand your feelings about your father. It's that important to us mothers.

[ausiedownunderground]

15. Tactfully explain this to your sister

Ask your sister why it is that American Republicans are so passionate about the "sanctity" of life before birth, yet are so passionate about "killing" life after birth through War,The Death Penalty,Uncontrolled Gun Ownership,Poverty,Lack of Health Insurance etc etc. To a non American it just seems SOOOOOO Hypercritical!!!

If your lucky she might "see the light" and go out and vote!!!!

[pacalo]

16. Excellent, Ausie!

Those are my feelings, too, except you expressed it perfectly! That's the crux of my frustration with her -- I feel that she's copping out & playing a partisan game: Republicans vs. Democrats. I told her we've never had an election like this one, that it's not a partisan concern this time. It has to do with an inept administration who needs to be replaced before he does more harm in our country's name.

Welcome to DU, Ausie!

[OctOct1]

7. I know how you feel

I am scared to death too.

My father was to old to go to Vietnam, my brother was to young.
I remember how lucky I felt never to have to deal with war & loss.

Now I face the a nightmare that tears me up.
My babies will be the ones to die for this "New world order"

Never, noway, never. nohow

For what?? So this smirky mess of a man who makes jokes about not finding WMD's can take my children for his messed up war.

All these soccer Moms and security moms need to wake up and know that when they pull the level for bush they are selling their children to him too.

[Bake]

9. Sadly, I KNOW some of the names on the Vietnam Wall.

I have no intention of seeing my children's names on some future monument on the Washington Mall. So help me God.

Bake

[FightingIrish]

14. I saw this coming

four years ago. When they gave * the keys to the White House I predicted that we would have an oil war and that my two sons would face the draft. My sons are 18 and 25, the oldest just married and the youngest in his first year of college. What other species on the planet deals with conflict by sacrificing its children? There is no option to winning this election. Kerry says no draft. Bush only says it's not necessary, and that can change tomorrow.