How will YOU react when your son or daughter is DRAFTED?

[mopaul]

i for one will freak out in a major way when my 21 year old son is drafted.

[lovedems]

1. Put me on the psych ward and feed me meds.

Freak would be an understatement.

(I have 4 boys all within one year apart from each other. When one goes the rest won't be far behind).

Edited to add: If the draft comes back, we will be moving. There isn't any way in hell my husband or I would let our kids fight in any of Bush's war. Screw that.

[Sugarbleus]

84. I so relate: "Put me on the psych ward and feed me meds"

I am raising kids AGAIN...have my 16 yr old grandson with me. Drafting him would DEFINATELY put me either in the nuthouse or in prison......:grr:

[Bjornsdotter]

2. I will be buying...

..plane tickets for my kids, sending them to my family.

Cheers,
Kim :toast:

[Name removed]

52. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[reddogbluedog]

3. it will not happen

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Mabus]

16. Do the words "national emergency" mean anything to you?

From page 6 of the annual report at http://www.sss.gov/PDFs/AnRepFY03.pdf:

"Registration facilitates the SSS mission to be ready to furnish manpower to the Department of Defense in the event of a national emergency declared by the Congress or the President."

I guess this means congress doesn't need to pass legislation reinstating the draft. All it will take is a national emergency declared by the president.

This is directed not at nadinbrzezinski but at reddogbluedog.

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. :-) I know

Some people are still in denial

[Q]

108. Bush* declared a state of national emergency...

...on 9-11, 2001.

[Mabus]

137. I understand that

and because of 9/11 people were signing up for service voluntarily. I know, I have a nephew that did. He's now in Baghdad (or at least last I heard) and wasn't happy about being there instead of fighting terrorism.

Now, is different. If there were another national emergency and people don't sign up, there will a draft.

Besides, it wuld have been political suicide for * to have called for a draft. Hence, IMHO, the increased saber rattling at Iran and Syria. Expect it to increase and don't be surprised if he finds a way to escalate it (pre-2006 races).

[Javaman]

133. Nope, can be done by executive order...

[jean]

9. welcome! would you please elaborate and give us some comfort?

:hi:

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. I wish I beleived that

They would not allow for elections to be stolen either

They will not allow for many things that bush is forcing.

As I said, whickets are being crossed... it WILL happen

Denial is not only a river in Egypt.

[jean]

22. and just what will they do to disallow the draft if the GOVERNMENT

re-instates it? It is not a referendum, last time we looked. And there is legislation in the pipeline regarding re-instating a draft.

So again, please stop yelling at me, just how will we not allow for it? I keep hearing people say there will be riots in the streets. Do you think this will happen?

[Piperay]

27. Like what the people want or don't want

makes any difference anymore, HAH. :eyes:

[RoyGBiv]

28. Ya sure ...

The American people wouldn't elect a proto-fascist wannabe dictator either.

:eyes:

[underseasurveyor]

49. Did anyone here ever think that the American People would be so

willing to give up any part of their freedoms, EVER? Freedoms and rights that so many before us gave their lives so that we may continue to enjoy these rights and freedoms?

I sure as Hell didn't ever think so. But it did happen, didn't it! Can you say Patriot Act? Hmmm? :grr:

reddogbluedog, fall back into your trance-like slumber. Nighty-night:boring:

[donheld]

57. "THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL NOT ALLOW FOR A DRAFT"

Wake up and smell the napalm.

[Cat Atomic]

65. Haha- buddy, they've BEGGED for it.

[C.C.D.]

88. Ummhmm. Don't ya know? WAR is a moral value. (nt)

[Longhorn]

125. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Zhade]

103. BYE, Nazi-boy. Go worship the traitor in the White House some more.

[goddess40]

131. They'll drink a little more kool-aid

and then it will be ok - because * didn't have a choice.

[Javaman]

134. Not now, but just wait after another attack in 6 months to a year...

The repukes will be demanding the the democrats hand over their children to the draft. Just wait for it. It's going to happen.

[havocmom]

24. Yes it will. Of course, I expect there will be 'alternative service'

offered where young people can fulfill their 'obligation' via an alternative enlistment working for one of the many companies making a fucking mint off of war. And the companies will probably not have to pay the prevailing wage, but rather the miserly stipend our military get for their sacrifices. You can bet the Corporations will get to double dip in the profiteering: more wars to supply things for and cheap labor from forced servitude for COs.

And it will all be paid for via regressive sales taxes on the working parents of the young people being ground up in the fodder machine.

[donheld]

46. You have no Children?

or now sense of reality?

[SmokingJacket]

66. tell me more, oh great swami! n/t

[St. Jarvitude]

4. How will I react when I am drafted?

Who knows... can they draft me if I'm living out of country?

Will I have to give up my US Citizenship to avoid the draft for a war that I've never supported?

[Jack Schitt]

5. My mom and dad said that if I get drafted,

we're leaving the country.

I'm not going if I get drafted. I don't believe in any war.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. I don't have kids

and the birds cannot be drafted, that said, I fear for my nieces and my "step nephews"

Truth be told though... and this will soudn cruel, we may need this to wake people up to the evil that is george

We are... truly awake, but those who bought whatever he was selling need to have their kids shipped off to basic and Iraq, and all points east and west... maybe then they will get it.

Problem is, it will be too late by then.

And I did send a husband to this insanity... so trust me I know the feelings

Now my advise, it looks like it is going to happen, have them volunteer for the Navy or the Air Force, maybe even teh Coasties, if they are drafted, chances are they will end in the front lines.

[Ducks In A Row]

45. No kids either, but if I did...

I'd have them "come out", whethere they were gay or not.

I would not let bush** killed them.

[Cursive_Knives512]

8. My mother has already said...

That even though going to Canada isn't much of an option for draft dodgers anymore, she will do anything she can to support my 22-year old brother in resisting the draft. If he can get to Canada, she says she'll move there with him, and if he goes to jail, she'll visit him everyday. He's not the type of person who would want to resist the draft by such extreme measures... I just hope he would though. I don't want my big brother going to Iraq... I don't want him killing and maybe dying for a rich man's war...

[NickiWitch]

10. They're ready to serve time...

in prison. They both refuse to be drafted for this war. I have two sons, 16 (17 on May 1st) and 14 (15 on April 8th) and I would do everything in my power to make sure they didn't go if they didn't want to. If our country was under attack, that would be a totally different story.

[PretzelWarrior]

12. burn down the building in which draft board is housed

by shooting a flaming arrow through the window. Then move to canada and take them with me.

the only reason she'd be drafted is if they lifted college student exemption. or she graduates early. She's gonna take her sweet time getting 6 years worth of BS degree and 3 years of masters if there's a draft on.

[buckettgirl]

18. i read that there won't be college deferrments this time..

you finish the semester you are in or if you are a senior, you finish the year.
the problem with that is that i will be a 2 year senior...i won't graduate until 07

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. Count on the college exceptioon being lifted

Also count on WOMEN being drafted

People better start thinking how to deal with it, (start a Conscientious Objector file right now) insteand of hoping for nice things, becuase unless you are very well connected, and RICH, forget it, kids will be drafted.

SO plan for it

I hear divinity school (surprise surprise) may be an excpetion, but don't quote me on it... but not college.

[buckettgirl]

33. i have read a website about being a conscientious objector (sp?)...

it says to write on your selective service card or whatever that you are a conscientious objector and to have it well document with letters from sources and such and your religious beliefs so that you have proof when they draft you...
well the problem i see there is that i am a woman, so i don't have to register with the selective service (obviously) so what can i do??? really what can I do???
what can we expect the requirements to be changed to? will they force women to serve on the front lines, even though that is illegal now? will they allow me to finish nuring school simply because they need nurses???
what kind of physical do you hafta pass??? i couldn't pass a physical...i am too fat (seriously ... my bmi is 38) - my husband says they would draft me anyway and make me work off my excess weight...
everything that i can think of seems to be an intrusion on civil rights and i don't now what i can do to protect myself.
i just wanna get through college, i just hope nothing in our lives change dramatically due to *.
AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
sorry, i had to vent.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

54. conscientious objectors will be drafted and sent into combat zones.......

without a gun....as medics or supply lines

[underseasurveyor]

61. Be a lot of women getting pregnant

one pregnancy after another. What ae they gonna do with pregnant woman? Make em go anyway?

er uh.. probably. Nevermind x(

[PretzelWarrior]

63. probably you should have maternity wards on the front lines

can just raise a whole generation of true military brats that are raised as Government Issue with chips in their head and war culture to fuel the international jihad.

[underseasurveyor]

64. Hey yeah good idea

We can squeeze em out and be back out on the front lines by lunch time ready to kill em all. What a great way to channel those post-delivery baby-blues :evilgrin:





NOT! ;-)

[xpunkisneatx]

85. Women too?

Fuck that. there is no way in hell anyone would get my prissy ass out in the middle of the desert. I actually have a friend who had to leave a year of college (junior year...we are seniors now) to go to Iraq and she drove a big ole tank right through Bagdad...mind you this girl is all of 5' tall and 95 pounds...needless to say, she voted for Kerry. I don't know what I would do...I do have obsessive compulsive disorder...could that get me out of it? ya know...i could go "crazy" or something...increased predisposition to PTSD...

[ohio_liberal]

112. I think its not entirely unlikely...

That the government will prevent draft-eligible people from leaving the country. CO status is possible I guess, but it just means that the CO will be an infantryman without a gun (medic or such).

[MADem]

139. They'll defer you to FINISH DIVINITY school

Then they'll shove your ass in the Chaplain Corps, with a fat kid with a sidearm to protect you. You don't get a weapon, as a servant of God. Whoever is the head guy in each religion providing chaplains assigns a person to "select" people to go into the military, and these poor bastards are sent to MEPS. If they flunk, the ministry is asked to send a healthier specimen (Catholics can be fat, old and crippled, though, because they are scarce as hen's teeth).

[havocmom]

13. Sad, as I think it unlikely I will ever make it to a land down under

to see her again. Her friends in OZ will not let her wear olive drab.

[buckettgirl]

15. i'm more scared of the laws they'll change...

i am scared they will lower requirements, that they will require women to be drafted... that they will ignore that whole households could be destroyed...
i am 23 and my husband is 29... i know that the young 18-20 yr old men will be drafted first... but then what?
my husband already tried to get into the military but they wouldn't take him because, in a nutshell, because he has had too many parts replaced...(steel plate in his hand, kevlar kneecap to name a few)
I believe in serving my country - but i don't believe in this fascist regime... my husband has said that if he would get called, he would go - no questions asked. I said that i would sooner sit in jail than serve the greedy bastards of this administration.
My mom compares this to Vietnam...and said that all of her brothers were either enlisted or drafted and that it was a fact of life - you served your country because it was your duty... well it wasn't right then and it isn't right now...
I don't disagree that there will be a draft, or that maybe there needs to be a draft, if only to relieve the soldiers who deserve to come home instead of being trapped in hell...
I dunno what to make of all this or what to think of all this. I know that i have friends who will likely be drafted before my husband or me. But it worries me none-the-less...

[Abelman]

17. If drafted

I'm not going. I'll go to jail first. They can kiss my ass. I will not support this war, ever.

[buckettgirl]

43. i agree with that too...

that's what i would do... but it is a felony! and i'm going to school for nursing - that means that if i have a felony, i can't be an RN! i'll have my back against the wall...

[Abelman]

97. It's a tough call

And it's easier to be tough on the internets than in real life. In truth, I'd probably just go for the Air Force or something. Of course, I might be lucky and not be healthy enough.

[MADem]

140. If you are in nursing school, you are ALREADY ON THE LIST

Medical will be first called, along with specialty personnel, such as truck drivers, language specialists, etc. The Patriot Act will be used to put everyone in a "category" before they even get to the MEPS for their physical.

They actually wanted to force people to detail special skills when they sent in their draft registration, but people raised cain about it, because they also wanted to make it a crime if you failed to report, say, a talent in speaking Pashtun, or knowledge of oil purification standards and tests. The legislation was drafted, but it has gone nowhere, thus far.

On the bright (???) side, as a newly minted nurse, your first assignment, if you are lucky, might be at a major medical facility--these are all over the world. They don't do much more than triage and patch in a battlefield environment. The hard work of fixing broken servicemembers is done well behind the lines, in places like Japan or Germany or the continental US.

[Mandate My Ass]

21. They hafta get through me first

Me and my son voted for Kerry, we both strenuously protestes the illegal invasion. If they need cannon fodder, let the "mandate" king take them from his loyal serfs.

[nadinbrzezinski]

25. You will enjoy this little exchange with a kid who

voted for bush.


I had still two cheap ticktes from Costco... well we stopped at the boostore where i picked a copy of Thoureu's Civil Disobedience (They no longer have any Ghandi or MLK in stock, they are wondering what the fuck is going on) Anyhow here is a converstion with a kid who claims to be a Demcorat but voted for bush.

kid said, I am registered Democrat but I had to vote for Bush, becuase of the security aspect (Mind you I was minding my own business and she also mentioned many were older folks were picking that book)

I told her, "enjoy your vacation in Fallujah> I hear it is nice this time of the year. remember to pack plenty of sunscreen and bug repellent, oh and keep your rifle clean, yep that is a definite."

She had that look of you have to be kidding me

then she said, he promised no draft

Ok kid, how many more times can Bush run for the Presidency?

I don't know

You know what lame duck is, if not look it up, and you realize he also lied on the way to war... all them mythical WMDs are NOT there.

Friend interrpupts, tried to explain this to her she woudl not listen

I said, don't worry I take it you did not vote for bush... kid shook head, "Ok for you when the draft comes, by June 15th of next year at the latest, I will be sorry, your friend, I DO HOPE she gets called up. Heck I will help her pack."

The look of clear horror was in this kid's eyes... she again said, they are not working on one

Yes, yes they are, the boards are now staffed and now they are making sure the system works

You are lying not in the news.

I know , most people don't read the Federal Register, they are about to spring that surprsie on you when yuo least expect it... have fun in Fallujah, and remember, keep your weapon clean.. M-16s have a terrible habit of jamming in very sandy areas.

Then she said, in defiance, well liberals don't serve

Careful kid, I did my time and my husband just retired from tne Navy... now it is YOUR turn... now ta ta have fun storming the castle.


What burns is that this kid really bought the kool aid, ten times fold... and now people are showing her very little empathy.... you could see it in her eyes... the horror, even buyer's remorse... wanna bet she will do all she can to avoid the draft? She is from a somewhat well to do area of town, and she was wearing expensive brand clothing , hope the BDUs don't chafe her delicatre skin... after all teh designer is not thinking comfort really.

[Crispus Attucks]

47. LMAO about 'have fun storming the castle' from the Princess Bride

One of my all time favorite movies.

"My name is (insert name here) you killed my father, prepare to die."

You might also point out the fact that 'No child left" has provision in it that requires public schools to give info on students to military recruiters. Wonder why they put that in there? Hmmmm.

[Mandate My Ass]

48. From the well-to-do area of town? fuggedaboudit

Bush has already staffed the draft boards with his loyal RW cronies. Only the poor may apply for the inevitable upcoming clusterf***k in Iraq.

According to her, "Liberals don't serve?" Well, Hhhhmmm, Kerry did and Bush* didn't but let's not let facts get in the way of a way cool fantasy.

This clueless, irresponsbile rich girl is as safe as a kitten. She voted for the poor who oppose Bush and his illegal war to take her place in war-torn Iraq. She will sleep like a baby when the lower classes give their very lives for her nationalist unfunded mandate.

She will also vehemently dismiss and degrade anybody who served amd subsequently protests the injustices they saw firsthand by claiming they are insufficently "patriotic."

[Greylyn58]

23. I Don't Have Any Children

Thank God. But my two nephews are 21 and 23 respectively and I can't speak for my brother, but I terrified for both of them.

I know my brother voted for Kerry and even though we were brought up in the military (Dad was in the Marines for 30) he hates this war as I do and might consider taking them out of the country.

I personally am interested in seeing the reaction of all these Bush supporters when they have to offer up their kiddies. Remember Bush said he wouldn't bring back the draft. So this should come as a major shock that their God broke his word.

[mopaul]

26. "read my lips, there'll be no draft"....hope the bush 1 curse kicks in.

[Magic_Cookie]

40. They won't even know

just like now they'll all buy into the new version of the draft.
"Well, you know I really didn't want to do this. I know I gave you all my word but due to circumstances beyond my control I ask that you support your country & join in the Faith for Freedom recruitment..."

[Greylyn58]

77. You're Probably Right

Bushco will call it some stupid name like Faith for Freedom or Let Freedom Ring, or The Liberation Initiative and the sheep will follow.

This war will eventually touch everyone in some way. A friend of mine just emailed me and said that her son-n-law was supposed to be coming home via Kuwait, but she just found out his unit is being sent into Fallujah instead and she's scared to death. As am I for him as he has a toddler at home.

Damn Bush!!!!

:grr: :grr:

[Cleita]

29. No son or daughter to be drafted nor any nieces or nephews

anymore, but I think I would feel like I did when my friends and cousins were drafted to go to Vietnam and the ones who survived to come home were wounded in body, mind and soul forever.

[Patriot Acts]

60. the draft IS coming.....

I think we should write something up, an amendment or something. ALL registered Republitards and anyone and everyone that voted for Bush, and everyone that didn't vote for that matter.... THEY SHOULD BE CALLED UP FIRST!

Who's with me..... I think it would do some of these little Nazis some good. Teach them a lesson.... NEVER EVER EVER WAVE YOUR FLAG AND BLINDLY SUPPORT ANY LEADER. Empty jestures are anything but patriotic.... I would hate to see it happen, but I must admit, I would give a little chuckle when all the Republitards are sending their kids off to the war "they support" so whole heartedly.

I served in the U.S. Army and would gladly serve my country again... But this RICH MANS WAR is not for me!!!

[havocmom]

30. By the way, have you all contacted your kid's schools and jumper thru

the hoops to have their personal contact info kept out of the hands of military recruiters? You have to be pro-active on this. The No Child Left Behind Act really has to do with giving our your kids' personal info so that recruiters can work on them for the 2 years prior to their 18th birthday.

Schools are REQUIRED to turn over all info unless parents fill out all the forms before hand and protect their kids.

The law lets the recruiters talk to the kids from age 16. They do NOT have to tell you parents they are talking to your kids. Think of that! At a time when it is natural for kids to rebel a bit, guys can come and seduce them with lies about how wonderful it will be in the military, away from mom & dad as soon as they turn 18!

If there is a draft, there had better be absolutely no way rich kids get off easier than everybody else or gray panthers will start appearing out of the woodwork :evilgrin: NO MORE TANG PRINCES

[uppityperson]

71. schools are required to give you the form to sign

According to No Child Left Behind, in order to continue to recieve federal funds, schools have to give each parent a form to fill out and sign in order to not be contacted by the military. Either the student, parent or guardian can fill out this form. However, if they do not make the forms available to all parents and all students, they will risk losing federal funds. We recently went through this at our local highschool. Teen peace group held a demonstration at lunch about this since no forms had been sent home. Guess what happened about 2 weeks later-forms in the mail. Go to the principals and school board and let them know they must provide those forms or risk losing money.

[havocmom]

76. Really? EVERY parent I know had to go and INSIST on getting them

and some had quite a fight on their hands.

I am sure the risk of loss of fed $ was if the schools failed to provide the student info the the military unless the parents proactively filed papers to deny access.

[uppityperson]

80. Here is a form and more info

Schools may not know this. Or they may. Either way, public schools that get federal money have to offer them to parents or risk losing the federal funding. Private schools don't. They have to offer them to you, not wait for you to ask.

We found out about this recently through our local peace group. Went in the school and asked for them. They said they didn't have any, no one had asked for them yet and it would take a while to get them made up. 1 week after the school protest, and after many of the kids signed it on their own, they were mailed to the parents. It is, ok to copy, print, sign and use what we used, as a group or individually:

Section 9528 Request, Opt-out Form for Secondary Students

I, ______________, hereby exercise my federal right, granted to me by the Congress of the United States under Section 9528 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, (and any other applicable state, federal or local law or any school policy) and hereby request that the name, address, and telephone listing of _______________ (name of student), a current student at _______________ (name of school), NOT be released to miltary recruiters without prior written parental consent. I do, however, consent to the disclosure of such information to institutions of higher education other than miliary schools.
Signed by (student) (parent) check one
_______________________________signature/date
_______________________________print name
_______________________________address
_______________________________city/state/zip

Note to students/parents: this certificate can be signed either by a student or a parent. A student does not nneed parentnal consent to submit this certificate. Any secondary school student, regardless of age, can sign this certificate and is authorized by law to submit this request. Parents can also sign this certificate for any secondary student. No information about elementary students will be disclosed to miltary recruiters. When completed, submit this form to the school's administration office.

Note to school administrators: You are required by federal law to comply with this request. It is a serious violation of federal law to disregard this request and release the name, address, or telephone listing of this student to any military recruiter without prior, written, parental consent. Sec. 9528(a)(2) of the elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

This form may be downloaded at http://peace.idahogreenparty.org

[havocmom]

106. "Page could not be found" when I used that link

Schools have to comply when parents fill out form. Still don't see that they have to tell the parents about the form. That's a big difference

[uppityperson]

130. do a google search for "9528" and "access"

Here's a couple with Sec. 9528 copied below. (a)(2) "the local educational agency or private school shall notify parents of the option to make a request and shall comply with any request". As another person said, they may still contact you, but we have to try.


http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/hottopics/ht-10-09-02a.html

http://www.wagingpeace.org/articles/2002/12/00_section9528.htm


SEC. 9528. ARMED FORCES RECRUITER ACCESS TO STUDENTS AND STUDENT RECRUITING INFORMATION.

(a) POLICY.—

(1) ACCESS TO STUDENT RECRUITING INFORMATION.—Notwithstanding section 444(a)(5)(B) of the General Education Provisions Act and except as provided in paragraph (2), each local educational agency receiving assistance under this Act shall provide, on a request made by military recruiters or an institution of higher education, access to secondary school students names, addresses, and telephone listings.

(2) CONSENT.—A secondary school student or the parent of the student may request that the student’s name, address, and telephone listing described in paragraph (1) not be released without prior written parental consent, and the local educational agency or private school shall notify parents of the option to make a request and shall comply with any request.

(3) SAME ACCESS TO STUDENTS.—Each local educational agency receiving assistance under this Act shall provide military recruiters the same access to secondary school students as is provided generally to post secondary educational institutions or to prospective employers of those students.

(b) NOTIFICATION.—The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall, not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, notify principals, school administrators, and other educators about the requirements of this section.

(c) EXCEPTION.—The requirements of this section do not apply to a private secondary school that maintains a religious objection to service in the Armed Forces if the objection is verifiable through the corporate or other organizational documents or materials of that school.

(d) SPECIAL RULE.—A local educational agency prohibited by Connecticut State law (either explicitly by statute or through statutory interpretation by the State Supreme Court or State Attorney General) from providing military recruiters with information or access as required by this section shall have until May 31, 2002, to comply with that requirement.

[pop goes the weasel]

31. with shock

but not complete surprise. Bright girl, good shot with a pistol, but physically disabled. Unless they are planning on creating a wheelchair and walker brigade, I think she's safe. But with the Bushies, you never really know.

[Doohickie]

32. I'll take a meat cleaver to his toe

but only if he wants me to.

[PretzelWarrior]

34. ouch. then he'll fight in the famous "nine-toe brigade"

better have a plan B

[mopaul]

36. a buddy of mine shot his foot to avoid nam, but went anyway

true story

[Doohickie]

38. In that case, I guess it's time to edit all the meat cleaver posts I've

already made!

Plan B: Canada, eh?

[deadparrot]

35. I'm draftable.

Under three months until my 18th birthday. Parents told me that if they came after my brother or me, they'd buy us plane tickets ang get the hell out of the country.

My dad's words: "I don't want you fighting that asshole's wars."

[Cleita]

37. Good for your parents.

You should look into studying abroad for a couple of years in a country where they can't come after you.

[deadparrot]

39. Definitely.

I've always wanted to study abroad in Europe, but this election pretty much sealed the deal. I'm spending as little time as possible in this country for the next four (or more) years.

[Cleita]

50. Look into going to Ireland.

Ireland is a neutral country. They refuse to get involved in Tony Blairs little global warmongering. They have some fine universities too. The Irish hate Bush too and they are very progressive these days throwing off the yoke of the Catholic Church.

[deadparrot]

53. A friend of mine

(our parents have been best friends since forever, she's basically a sister to me) is two years older than me, and got a full ride to college. She's going to Ireland to study in January, and staying until June. I'll have to see if she likes it.

I'm quite Irish, and I was an Irish dancer for six years. It could be interesting--anywhere progressive is good.

There's just too many places I want to see.

[Doohickie]

51. A tip:

Several churches have raised serious objections to the Iraq War. Join one of them; they may give your Conscientious Objector status some credibility.

Example from the Presbyterian Church (USA): "From the beginning, it has been the judgment of many church leaders, both in the United States and elsewhere, that an invasion of Iraq has been unwise, immoral, and illegal. The 216th General Assembly (2004) concurs with this judgment."

[Cleita]

41. Have you looked into sending him to Ireland for university?

The Irish hate Bush and I'm sure he will be made very welcome. Since Ireland remains neutral in our little global wars, it could be a safe haven for a lot of Americans although I haven't looked into how they might feel about it. I knew a German kid whose father sat out WWII in Ireland attending Trinity College in Dublin.

[donheld]

42. "How will I react when your son or daughter is DRAFTED?"

I will react with great shock and awe. Being a single, childless, gay male it's hard to imagine they'd want my child. :eyes: i know i'm crazy.
On a more serious note, i have many friends who are draft age. I would do everything in my power to send them to canada, or somewhere safe.

[ithacan]

44. I will pack up and leave the country with them

I really don't want to leave, but if it comes to that, and if that's the only way to prevent them from becoming cannon fodder in the right wing crazies' war, we'll all leave.

[seabeyond]

55. i would be suggesting my boy go to jail before the war

but i dont have to explore that thankfully. i have little kids. we have a while before they are old enough. i couldnt imagine mopaul having a 21 year old son, fighting so hard to get kerry elected and bush stealing it and implementing the draft

[mopaul]

56. another son, 33, daughter, 34

hell they might even be eligible. and even little kids could end up fighting in the middle east if bushkkko has their way.

[seabeyond]

74. i cant see it, i cant see anyone in the u.s.

willing to send their kids to draft on either side. i just see a massive turn on the man. no one except the most extreme thinks this war is for a reason. i dont know, not seeing it. but i wouldnt let one of mine go. i dont know how, but i wouldnt

[Kber]

132. You are worried (with reason) about your kid's in their 30's and

I am worried about my 8 year old. My logic? We were still loosing people in Vietnam in 1973 right? I wonder how worried mothers of 8 year olds were in 1963 - just when some people were starting to see that a bigger committment there was going to be a long, hard, and costly event?

I can certainly see that Iraq could easily be a long, hard, and costly event and, in some ways, am more worried about kids in the 8 to 12 year old age range than young adults now in their 20's. We could be getting really desperate by then.

[underseasurveyor]

58. They can't have mine

It'll be over my dead body :mad:

[A Brand New World]

59. My son (only child) is 23 1/2 and if he is ever drafted our whole family

will be moving someplace. I don't know where, but somewhere. I absolutely refuse to sacrifice him for this hateful, so-called president that we are subjected to. The draft is my #1 fear with * and the next fear is the demise of Social Security.

But back to the draft. I said something to my boss (who voted for *) on the day after the election, that I would refuse to send my son if he was drafted and her response was "You have nothing to say about that, he's an adult." So much for compassionate conservative.

[Sperk]

62. WHEN THEY PRY HIM FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS!!!!!

That's when the Anti-Christ Bush will get MY son.

[underseasurveyor]

67. YES! YES! Sing it LOUD

Your cold dead hands and over my dead body :thumbsup: :mad:

[HeeBGBz]

68. If there is anything I can do to stop it I will.

Do a family exploration of the Canadian hotspots.

[Flammable Materials]

69. Four years from now, I'll be saying ...

... "Come to Amsterdam and try and get her."

[against all enemies]

70. There are ways out, too tall, too fat, bad back, gay(?), You must find

out what works and go with it.

[uppityperson]

72. ADD will work, possibly dyslexic?

or would that be cyslexidc? At any rate, ADD is a possiblity, though then you'd have that diagnosis but so?

[LauraT28]

73. Just look them in the eye and tell them NO..don't run.

Don't be a coward...People THIS IS YOUR COUNTRY!!! Read the constitution!!! These bastards are supposed to be working for you! Get educated...Give them a big middle finger.

[Sin]

75. ughh

I'm 23 i know about = parts people my age that didn't care and did care about this election ones that did care saw there lives on the line for a falsehood the others most of the others are just oblivious.
I'm sure they will perk up as soon as they see a draft.
As for me I have no quads holding my knee cap in place all that well had 1 operation when i was 10 just to tighten them up so i could walk and run with out fear of it popping out every few days. Now it only goes every month or so but i have to watch it one miss step or 2 much weight on it and I'm kissing the ground the hard way. then i get to limp for 3 days to a few weeks depending on how bad it went out and the swelling goes down.
I'm sure this would prevent me from getting drafted but i would rather have it state that I'm CO because if you in any way conscious to whats going on there is probably a lot of objections running though your head I'm just waiting now for the day they start it all up.
Me with no work because I'm in IT networking stuff probably makes me even more of a prime target to get picked.
Another thing i know if you state that your CO do you get fines and or set up the river and what not just wondering don't know all the repercussions that come with it on the legal lv. Just want to know if I will be a political prisoner or not.

[sugar magnolia]

78. I think a lot of people will be coming out of the closet

What will they do about "don't ask, don't tell" then?

My kids will all of a sudden realize they're lesbians. Or we'll load them up in the VW camper van (good ol' Evangeline) and maybe they can stay under the radar. If all else fails, we'll leave the country. No way in hell my kids will fight in a war.

[mark414]

79. you mean when i get drafted?

i'm a couple months away from 20...i'm ripe as hell

my reaction will be one of:

"shit, now i have to sit in a prison cell for awhile."

[strategery blunder]

92. Then try for a medical deferment

Sad to say that you must destroy your health in order to save it.

Gain weight in the next few months, and I ain't talking about muscle.

Before going to the draft board, drink ten or so cans of mountain dew, the object being to cause a temporary spike in blood pressure. Exercise like hell right before reporting. Also, constantly remind yourself how pissed you are at the chimp.

That's my plan anyway, as I can't afford to move out of the country and I missed my chance to write CO on my SS registration. Doesn't seem like CO will help much anyway. But they would be really desperate if they took someone with observed blood pressure of 200/160. If 5 deferments are good enough for the dick, they're good enough for me.:evilgrin:

[mark414]

98. maybe i'll just hit on the draft board

as my mother said, "if a draft comes, i have 3 gay sons"

(my brothers and i range 18-24)

[MADem]

122. Start documenting MEDICAL ISSUES NOW

Bad back--have a doctor diagnose it, send the kid regularly to a chiropractor, get prescription meds (flexeril, e.g., do not have to actually take them), make sure your GP DOCUMENTS chronic back problems--a sure 4F.

RITALIN--If they are on it, get it documented.

ALLERGIES--Get them on regular meds, they do not have to actually TAKE them, just get the prescription, refill it regularly, and make sure the examinee says he/she CANNOT survive without the pills. This one can be a winner if it is seasonal allergies OR FOOD ALLERGIES (eggs are great--half of the vaccinations have egg in them). Pills in boot camp are a non-starter.

FLAT FEET--Get out of jail free.

Knee or joint surgery--document it, and ensure that the person complains that they do not have "full movement" of the limb. Same with a broken arm or leg--the examinee should complain of pain, severe pain, in the affected region. Range of motion limitations are disqualifying, always (limited exceptions for medical doctors, nurses, and chaplains, if needs of the service apply and the Service Secretary's office will grant a waiver for the disability). Virtually anything in the "orthopedic" sphere is a red flag for a MEPS doctor doing recruit examinations. If there is no medical documentation in existence, they will send the examinee to a "consult" at a specialist. What you want is compelling evidence from YOUR doctor ahead of the "consult." Doctors do not like to second-guess other doctors, so the consult MD will probably agree with your doctor.

Mental challenges, emotional difficulties, psychiatric or psychologists appointments--GOLDEN. You can spin those so you get off the hook. If you sometimes see things that aren't there, or if your dead relatives appear to you, or you are afraid of polyesther placemats, you are staying home.

The most important thing is documentation--make sure the potential recruit takes copies with them to the MEPS--IGNORE WHAT THE RECRUITER SAYS, have the kid take the stuff anyway.

Other causes for disqualification include excessive illegal drug use (marijuana>experimental; cocaine>+3x, for example--not up to speed on ecstasy or club drug usage, but I suspect it would slow down the process of acceptance), alcoholism, or anything that can be termed a chronic addicition.

Any recurring medical condition (ear infections, skin rashes, e.g.).

Do NOT count on WEIGHT as a disqualifier. Weight is what is called in the parlance a "force shaping tool." They enforce the rules WRT physical readiness when they want to reduce the total end strength. If they need people, they'll take Fatty Friken Arbuckle and run the flab off him. You can be clinically obese and they will take you--they sure as hell did during Nam. Don't think weight is the answer--you'll be disappointed, and the poor kid who packed on the pounds will have the added stress of carrying all that flab on his runs and marches in boot camp.

Also, flunking the ASVAB is not helpful. It ensures you will be given a gun and sent out as cannon fodder. You stand a better chance of getting a safer job if you do well on the test. Conscientious objectors, if smart enough, often end up as Corpsmen/Medics, which means they are on the field of battle with a load of bandages and no way to defend themselves. They can't count on doing their tour emptying bedpans--a lot of that work has been civilianized. If a CO gets LUCKY, they get sent to mortuary services, and there isn't much worse than that in terms of an assignment you can expect to live through. Your body will survive, but your soul will be decimated.

This info is just off the top of my head--there are more ways to beat the system, but for those of you with kids with any of these issues, overwhelming documentation is the key, and will save their bacon if it comes to a draft.

[strategery blunder]

136. I have flat feet, but I don't trust that it'll be enough...

I'm on allergy meds. I'm allergic to DUST for Christsakes.

I was on Ritalin years and years ago...is past documentation of this enough to instill doubt in the draft board? Or do I need to go to a psychaitrist and say, "I have ADD and OCD (I fold paper compusively), give me meds?

But in regards to illegal drugs, not willing to do it. I would lose my financial aid, which I desperately need. :grr: Not to mention the unnecessary expense.

[MADem]

138. As long as your allergist

...sees you regularly, sees that you suffer, you take medications regularly, and you renew the prescriptions, you are pretty safe. If World War Three breaks out, they'll take you if you're missing fingers (actually, missing fingers are not always disqualifying, believe it or not), but not for a limited war like Nam, or IRAN. Hell, they will drag my ass back if it comes to that, and if they start looking at language skills, even now my goose could be cooked.

As for your old OCD issues, bring them up at your next phsyical or MD visit, and have them documented. Perhaps the doctor can suggest non-medical interventions as a start, and document that. Push comes to shove, and the interventions "aren't working" then you can get some drugs.

As for the ritalin documentation, round it up. Make copies--keep the originals, bring the copies to MEPS, if it comes to that.

Between the flat feet, the allergies, the ritalin, and the OCD, you are not a prime candidate. However, it is important that you bring up these issues when you are filling out the initial medical screening forms. You need to let them know that they are issues that continue to impact your life (whether they do or not, if you know what I mean).

Flat feet can cause back strain--if you ever throw your back out, get your ass to the doc for a prescription of flexeril. Let the doc know this isn't the first time this has happened. You don't actually have to TAKE the drugs, but hang on to the bottle and document it. SAVE ALL MEDICAL RECORDS. They just may save you one day.

I don't recommend that people falsify drug use or sexual orientation--but if the truth can help you, and you have no problem speaking up, use it. If things get bad enough they'll find a way to waive these disqualifiers. But medical shortcomings are the last thing they'll waive. So medical is the way to go!

[desert_owl]

81. Stand firm, stand tall.

There is no way that I am allowing myself or any other person to be forced to fight against their will. I will stand firm in this belief and proudly accept any punishment that I may receive. There is a time in everyone's life when they have to rise above themselves and make a selless stand regardless of the consequences in order to defend what they think is right. For me, this would be my time. I am hopeful that others would stand shoulder to shoulder with me in oppossing a reinstatement of the draft.

[proud patriot]

82. My son will not be drafted

he is the only male in my family to carry on the family
name .

[strategery blunder]

94. I'm also the only male to carry on the family name

However, I've heard rumors that they're getting rid of that exemption, too.x(

[Mandate My Ass]

104. Mine too, and he's my only child

I remember reading the last son exemption doesn't count in war time, which makes no sense at all because that's when it's needed. Can anybody tell me if I'm right or wrong about this? I hope I'm wrong.

[Longhorn]

126. I'm afraid that's not true according to Snopes.

See http://www.snopes.com/military/onlyson.htm

[Left Is Write]

83. My oldest daughter will be 18 in June...

I do worry about it; whether that is a realistic worry remains to be seen, but I worry nevertheless.

My younger two are almost 5 and almost 3. I actually worry a little about them too, with the path this government is taking the country on.

[sr_pacifica]

86. Hopefully at that time draft resister offices will be up and running again

I'd refer my kid to it.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

87. Well, if there is a draft, I could always move to Japan and

encourage my nieces and nephews to come study at one of the international universities there.

[MADem]

127. They'll be told to report to Yokota AFB for their physical

...and they'd be better off trying to game the system at a MEPS.

Being out of the country won't get them off the hook. If you are ordered to report for induction, you have to report, or make arrangements for the exam at the nearest military medical facility. Personally, I'd rather have a kid take his or her chances at a cattle call managed by retired civilian doctors, where it is easier for one of those geezer doctors to toss a kid to the side, than at a military hospital, where there are fewer distractions and the doctor will more likely be a military physician.

[C.C.D.]

89. I think my child will be ineligible (m)

unless they just start sending anyone and everyone, that is, and they may well do that.

I say illegals and prisioners to war first, fwiw.

[C.C.D.]

96. Heh, well after reading up on the new ideas, looks like *I* should be (m)

worrying about myself!! Up to 34 and women too?? Oh my...

[Hubert Flottz]

90. The same way my Dad reacted!

That was the first time I'd ever seen him do what he did!

The second time I saw him do it, was when Reagan was president! He was in the hospital dying from cancer and he got turned down for his social security disability! The doctors social security set him to said he was fit to work! He lived six more weeks! I despise Ronald Reagan, just as my Dad despised Nixon for drafting me! Pop was a vet too! Today is my sister's birthday so I always remember Veteran's Day! Today we spoke to each other on the phone about what my Dad might think of the country today and we also cried!

[Zgrrl]

91. My sons are only toddlers...

But if Bush* installs himself as dictator, they could very well be drafted 16/17 years from now. However, they are dual citizens (German/USA), and we have already planned to send them to Germany if it came to that. I'd rather have them serve the mandatory 1-year in the German military than fight Halliburton's wars. At least the German army isn't part of the coalition of the stupid.

[Neoma]

93. www.Enjoythedraft.com

/sigh,theirs some info in there,the people that will 'come out of the closet' may get drafted anyways,but just get gay bashed allot.

on edit: i'd rather shoot myself or go to jail then serve.

[Kellanved]

99. the German draft probably won't continue for more than one or two years

It is nine months at the moment, with the option to do alternative service on conscience grounds. That alternative service even can be done in countries other than Germany, although it takes some serious battling with bureaucracy.

[DemBones DemBones]

95. INFO on CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION (CO)

It's been many, many years since I knew all the rules about conscientious objection but this site is good; it's the home of the Central Committee on Conscientious Objection (CCCO). Has a section on how to fill out a CO application, which is very important.

http://www.objector.org/

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) has a page on CO but doesn't seem to have draft counseling online. Of course, right now, there is no draft and COs are people who have joined the military and then realized they don't want to kill, and/or people whose recruiters assured them when they joined that they'd never have to kill in the job they would work in.

http://www.afsc.org

Local Friends' Meetings will usually have a draft counseling committee, usually including men who were COs in previous wars. Look in your local phone book under "Friends." You don't have to become a Quaker to get counseling but you may have to go to their Meetinghouse on a Sunday to contact them -- small Meetings may not have anyone answering the phone during the week.

Here's a site for the draft counseling site of a local Friends' Meeting

http://www.quaker.org/visalia/CO/

Here you'll find info, including URLs, on the War Resisters League and the Fellowship of Reconciliation, and much more.

They also link to the Selective Service page on CO. I tried to copy and paste some of that info but the formatting is very strange.

If you or a family member is draft age (which apparently will be 20-35), now is the time to explore your options. It has never been easy to get CO status but anyone who believes that he (or, perhaps, she) is a conscientious objector should definitely get more information now.

Added on Edit: What you do NOW will affect whether or not you can get CO status LATER, so get busy reading.

Peace be with you all.

[mopaul]

100. woo woo!...number one hundred!

[Zhade]

101. Amazed, because that'll mean we've been at war for 13 years.

(He's five 1/2.)

But seriously, uh, freaked. My two best friends are 22.

[mopaul]

102. i've heard a dozen generals say it could take decades

to bring 'freedom' to the middle east. i hope not.

[Kber]

135. How long were we in Vietnam?

[laylah]

105. I have two daughters...

One is a very healthy 24-year old journalist, the other, a legally deaf college student. Both have been instructed to check out CO requirements as well as to take foreign languages. My older one is taking French and Spanish, the other, Spanish, and they both have their passports. If ANY of those war-mongering MOTHER CHENEY'S try to get MY daughters, they WILL have to roll over me.

As an aside, I believe it needs to be a REQUIREMENT that the children of the idiots that voted for these facists, get the "honor" of being first in line for any draft that will come about!

Jenn

[DebJ]

107. My two adult children in their twenties can't be drafted. My son

is bipolar and almost 7' tall and morbidly obese from his medications which added over 150 lbs to his frame.

My daughter works for the Treasury Dept, is considered a 'critical govt employee', and she tells me she would not be drafted. She is one of the terrorist watchers, so to speak.

But this would not stop my pain or outrage, which I already feel at the war itself.

I will be demonstrating today, in fact, on the streets in York Pa in front of Todd Platts office.

Any child lost, is MY child lost.

[donhakman]

109. graphic

[fasttense]

110. I HAVE STARTED A SAVINGS ACCOUNT TO SEND MY SON

Overseas. They have to find him first. The repubs will not draft women. Women belong in the kitchen pushing out babies.

I have spent 20 years in the military and most of it in Recruiting (by the way I am a woman). Guess what, all Bushy needs to do to start a draft is sign an executive order. The system is in place to start a draft. All Bushy has got to do is use it.

But let me warn you, Bushy will not call it a draft. He'll call it homeland security police force or some such nonsense. He'll have all the media repeating the new spin on the draft and he'll make exceptions for the rich and powerful. Just like he avoided Vietnam.

[movie_girl99]

111. i will send my child to the UK or Canada to live with relatives

no matter what, my kids will not fight this ridiculous farce of a war or in any other.

[Neecy]

113. unfortunately...

Almost every country that's been mentioned here has an extradition treaty with the United States - and don't think that the Bush administration won't ruthlessly hunt down and extradite any draft resisters overseas. Even Canada is no longer a safe haven, as a new agreement (I believe circa 2002) will mandate draft resisters are sent back to the US for prosecution.

We need to find a country that doesn't have an extradition treaty with the US, and I don't think there are many of those.

[Midlodemocrat]

114. We will be on our way to France

...already scoping out properties. There is no way my child is going to fight for a war for that man. No way.

[proud_Kucitizen]

115. I have 3 sons

but only the youngest 11 would probably even qualify.

It sucks to be thankful that your oldest son 24 is so grossly overweight that he can't be drafted and my second who is 13 has Pervasive Development Disorder(mild autism) and ironically probably my most intelligent child probably can't be drafted either.

Just the eleven year old so hopefully most of these wars will either be over or I will be able to get him conscientous objector status though we are not exactly very religious. Does anyone know of any other ways to establish conscientous objector status besides through religious offiliations. Any suggestions would be much appreciated as I am sure there are others in similar situations.

[DemBones DemBones]

128. See my post #95 above for info on CO status. nt

[ArkDem]

116. Not gonna happen

[ScreamingMeemie]

117. They will have to pry them from my cold, dead arms...

unless they wanted to go, which then, I couldn't stop them. :cry:

[SammyWinstonJack]

118. Freaked out will not even begin to describe my mental state if that

happens to my 27 year old son.

[BiggJawn]

119. "Don't bump into anybody swimming North..."

"...when you're swimming South across the Rio...Need a raft?"

She gets a "Greeting!" letter, she's OUTTAHERE!

Send the Tequila Twins to die for their daddy...

[fortyfeetunder]

120. Come on kid, let's go see the Butchart Gardens

A trip to Victoria followed by an international flight out of Canada. What draft? I don't feel a draft....

[JHB]

121. Surprised, but cynical about government record keeping...

...as I have neither. I do sweat a bit for my nephew, though, and he's only 8. I have a bad feeling * will dig a deep enough hole we won't be out of it by the time he's eligible.

[Debbi801]

123. Luckily enough, my kids are a long way away from worrying about a draft...

But, I am truly concerned with my siblings--22, almost 21, and 17.

My siblings voted for Kerry. Unfortunately, my father voted for the shrub. I never understood that because he was a huge Clinton supporter and voted Gore in 2000. 9-11 totally brainwashed him, and now he may have to accept the fact that he helped send his kids into a war that we have no business being in.

Heaven help us all if it comes to this.
Debbi

[H2O Man]

124. This is an interesting post/thread

First: I will at any time pay to set up either/both of my sons in another country of their choice. My wife and daughters have mixed feelings about leaving; it may happen sooner, rather than later. We had come within inches of moving to Ireland in the late 1990s. My physical disability does not make a cold damp climate sound as attractive as Belize. A few of us are investigating that option. An ex- coworker recently moved there and loves it. A friend just went there about 8 months ago, and brought back information on it.

Second, although my first choice would be to stay with my family, I am torn by the belief that I may need to stay for the sake of what I believe about America. I love this country, and love the Constitution. The thought of spending time in public displays of reading the Constitution appeals to me, even knowing I could end up in jail and denied the medications that make my life somewhat tolerable.

I am saddened by the ignorance -- well-meaning, but foolish -- that is expressed on this thread. The idea of using the means that were available in 1967 to avoid the draft that will occure in 2005 will simply not be an option. Only son, etc are jokes. It's just that it is not funny. There really is no excuse for the level of ignorance expressed by people on here. Their children, their nephews, and other kids in their community will pay a heavy price for this level of stupidity.

[Corgigal]

129. What a topic

I take this topic very seriously. My son is 17 years old and I have requested that he be tested for a auditory disorder. I am going to use the school first and if that doesn't work then I will go outside.
It would be an issue with him discriminating sound and I just hope that is enough. His little brother is already diagnosed with it and I know the audiologist. I wouldn't even request for any of this testing if I didn't have the nagging feel in the back of my head.
I want to start the process now before it becomes to apparent and the system gets flooded.

My husband has a doctor who he has been seeing for years. He is Navy reserve and hates Bush and has been to Baghdad. He tells us what really is going on over there. If everything else falls through then I will ask for his suggestions.

My former foreign exchange student is in Novi Sad, Serbia. If it push comes to shove then I would send him there.

Last, we will all move somewhere. This family is lucky because my husband's money moves with him. Would be a hard choice but so is picking out a casket.

[MADem]

141. DO IT!

And any other thing (as noted above, allergies, etc.). When he goes to the MEPS, make sure he talks with a noticeable impediment, even if he doesn't actually manifest one. Do be aware that he will receive a hearing test as part of the induction physical, along with full dental xrays, and a full course of poking and prodding. It really is a very undignified experience, of course, if they do draft, what will follow is far worse.

[random_girl]

142. an excellent topic, indeed. here's a real-life example:

how will any of us react, when confronted with this reality?
here's an example: the reaction of one very vocal Republican blogger, to the news of her father being drafted:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/irishprincess24/229814.html

i think this says it all.

[Conmander in Cheat]

143. I know what I'll do...

Call a Fatwa on any of my country's politicians (likely every Fiberal and CONservative) opposed to letting American draft dodgers escape here.

[UpsideDownFlag]

144. im of draft age myself, but fortunately i have a medical problem

which would bar me from serving.

otherwise, i'd turn into a FLAMING homosexual pretty durned quick.