Buzzflash: No more student deferments or Canada when DRAFT returns in 2005

[Dems Will Win]

Starting to look very likely that Bush is planning to re-instate the draft in 2005. From Maureen Farrell:

<snip>

As most point out, however, any mention of conscription would be ill-advised before the 2004 election. "A number of analysts said yesterday that while any public suggestion of a draft would be politically suicidal for U.S. President George W. Bush in an election year, he could find himself with few other options if he is returned for a second term and the fighting in Iraq is still raging," the Toronto Star recently reported. "I don't think a presidential candidate would seriously propose a draft," the Cato Institute's Charles Pena added. "But an incumbent, safely in for a second term -- that might be a different story."

Moreover, though a recent Newsweek poll should that only 44 percent of American voters would like to see a second Bush term (vs. fifty percent who would not), as concerns over voter roll-scrubbing, black box voting irregularities and other election oddities raise questions about our democracy, it’s naïve to imagine that next year’s presidential election won't involve some of the same shenanigans we saw in 2000. And given the radical direction the Bush administration has taken this country since barreling into power, can you imagine what four years of Bush would be like if reelection wasn't a consideration?

And so, folks could do a lot worse than to wager that a GOP victory in 2004 would mean a return to conscription. They would, however, run into trouble gambling on ways US citizens might successfully dodge the draft. Many Americans, remembering the Vietnam-era loopholes, still erroneously believe that college and Canada are options, without understanding the differences between then and now. They are:

1) No college deferments:

In the 1960s, a young man could procure a deferment, provided he was a full-time student and was making satisfactory progress towards earning a degree. Reforms aimed at making the draft more equitable, which were enacted in 1971, are still in effect -- and should the draft be reinstated, students would not be allowed to defer service for four or more years. Underclassmen would now only be able to postpone service until the end of their current semester, while seniors would have until the end of the academic year.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

<snip>

http://www.buzzflash.com/farrell/03/11/far03001.html

[Nlighten1]

1. It is like he knows he will be "re-elected" in 2004

so they are putting it off until after the "elections"

[Dems Will Win]

3. They've been very careful to get all the high school names

Aren't women eleigible and will be drafted as well this time. Anybody know?

[Clark Can WIN]

27. No girls, only boys

Or my family would be making plans to become Mexican beach bums right NOW.

[Walt Starr]

2. Had a chat with my brother in-law about the draft last night

He's a fairly moderate to liberal Democrat.

He refuses to recognize the draft will come back in 2005. He won't believe it, says there is no way it would work if they reinstated it because there is not enough prison space in America to handle those who would simply refuse to comply.

Basically, we have to jettison this issue. Nobody will take it seriously because everybody will be in denial about the reality.

[Dems Will Win]

7. Walt, it is coming, Bush has no choice

There are not enough troops in Iraqmire by 2005. Don't forget 1/2 are not re-enlisting in the services or the Guard. Bush has killed the volunteer army in essence and will have to go back to the draft. And the Pentagon has already advertised for draft Board members.

Ask your brother why they would do that? Here's the text itself from the official DOD Web site:

<snip>

Serve Your Community and the Nation
Become a Selective Service System Local Board Member

The Selective Service System wants to hear from men and women in the community who might be willing to serve as members of a local draft board.

Prospective Board Members must be citizens of the United States, at least 18 years old, and registered with the Selective Service (if male). Prospective Board Members may not be an employee of any law enforcement occupation, not be an active or retired member of the Armed Forces, and not have been convicted of any criminal offense.

Once identified as qualified candidates for appointment, prospective Board Members are recommended by the Governor and appointed by the Director of Selective Service, who acts on behalf of the President in making appointments. Each new member receives 12 hours of initial training after appointment, followed by 4 hours of annual training for as long as he or she remains in the position. They may serve as Board Members for up to 20 years, if desired.


Local Board Members are uncompensated volunteers who play an important community role closely connected with our Nation's defense. If a military draft becomes necessary, approximately 2,000 Local and Appeal Boards throughout America would decide which young men, who submit a claim, receive deferments, postponements or exemptions from military service, based on Federal guidelines.
Positions are available in many communities across the Nation. If you believe you meet the standards for Selective Service Board Membership, and wish to be considered for appointment please visit our web site at: http://www.sss.gov/fslocal.htm

<snip>

Maybe your brother thinks this won't happen because they soon scrubbed this off the DOD site--because they made a mistake and didn't intend to start the Draft Boards up again.(?!?!?!?!!)

http://www.thememoryhole.org/mil/draft-boards.htm

[Nazgul35]

20. which is why I sent for the forms...

Ask me what my criteria will be for deciding whose children go first!!!!

:evilgrin:

No more Dick Cheneys and GWs!!!!!

I'm getting my ass on those boards and am going to make sure if there is a draft....everybody's kids go!!!!!

[haele]

24. Interesting - no Armed Forces retirees need apply?

Hmmm...and just when I was thinking of applying to see how many young folks I could 4-F or assign to CO status before they kicked me out...

:evilgrin:

I'm not sure if they're gearing up, but if the DOD had taken to advertising for positions and mentioning numbers they'd need in case of a draft on top of the normal blurb off the SSS site - even if that particular mention was scrubbed - it indicates someone in the DOD is thinking about a new policy implementation.

I'll keep an eye on fed log and see if there's any bids out for additional SSB processing centers over the next year or two. They'll want to get the logistics (read, kickbacks for corporate sponsers)of an entire draft process - which would include medical evaluation, training, transportation and associated supplies in place at least 6 - 8 months before they declare it.

Haele

[atreides1]

10. Ask Your Brother-In-Law

When did lack of space in the prisons, stop the government from sending people to prison. Have him ask those who are in jail for non-violent drug charges, if the lack of space has prevented them from
being jailed.

Also, there is nothing to stop the government from building temporary facilities on military bases to house those who refuse to report for
induction. The government can always use the formula that Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County in Arizona uses. Tent cities to house those that refuse to go.

That's the problem, to many are in denial, and that will result in Bush being re-elected. Get your heads out of your asses people, we are about to enter a battle that we cannot afford to lose.

And if we lose it because those like your brother-in-law want to live in fantasy land, then they are no better then those who we must battle.


"BETTER TO DIE ON YOUR FEET, THEN TO LIVE ON YOUR KNEES"

EMILIANO ZAPATA

[Walt Starr]

17. I made all of the arguments you and the post above you suggest

He's in denial and refuses to believe it's even a possibility.

[Dems Will Win]

18. They could easily open up old Army barracks on the old bases

and use them for draft-evaders. Besides in the whole Vietnam War, I think only a few hundred actually went to jail, no?

[BiggJawn]

16. "Prison Space" what a LAFF!

Have your Bro-in-Law look into how England did it 200 years ago. They're not gonna be sitting in US prisons, they're gonna be in the front lines!

Have hime google "press gang" for an eye-opener...

"prisons".....LOL!!!!!!!

[LoneStarLiberal]

33. It Really Filled 'Em Up Back In The Vietnam Days...

Yep, objection and arrest really overcrowded all those prisons back in the Vietnam era.

It didn't work then. It won't work now.

[bryant69]

4. Well

Some of this is stuff we might support--I mean college deferrments during Vietnam meant that the army sent to the jungles were predominently working class and minority. The wealthy did a bit better at staying out of the war.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Atman]

12. Maybe if you put a letter under a big pile of garbage

Thanksgiving IS coming, you know!

Maybe they'll send you to the "group W" bench!

[monkeyboy]

34. With the father rapers?

And the father stabbers?

[Atman]

35. Thank you...that took a very long time!

Is the DU audience that young?

[camero]

13. They will again

Do you honestly think that Bush will have his buddie's kids go?

[PapaClay]

26. You got it.

They will use the "National Service" as their scam. And plush paper-pushing jobs will be created for them. Paper cuts are all they'll have to fear.

[Raenelle]

5. The military does not want gays, however. If I were draftable age,

I would start putting some homosexual something or other on my resume.

[Kusala]

6. I've been joking

that you could just use the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy to get out of the draft, but someone told me they thought Bush would scrap the policy if there was a draft. That would be interesting. Conservatives: "We don't want gays in the military...unless of course as cannon fodder for iraq". And yes, I know don't as don't tell was Clinton's.

[Serenades]

8. my goodness

The pukes are sick. I actually HATE these people now. After all of this stealing the election, starting numerous wars, looting our surplus, stealing our rights to privacy, etc. What is next? I do not understand how the American public can think Bush is a great and intelligent man. We went to war for absolutely no reason at all! Are people this brain dead? No one cares that we're killing people for no reason but they'll rebut by saying "Sadaam was a bad guy." Well, hell, there are hundreds of ruthless dictatorships, are we gonna go around the world and overthrow them all????!!!!

[democratreformed]

23. More to the point

and this is the way I have felt all along.

There are "bad guys" all over my community and probably yours too. I couldn't get away with going and wiping them out. Why should it be different for a country?

[alfredo]

9. His whole mode of operation is to remove options other than

what he wants done. He removes taxes from the rich, forcing us to cut needed programs. He gets us into a never ending war, forcing us to pump money into industries that he wants to reward. His tax cuts and the war is starving the beast. The beast is environmental concerns, health, education, and vital infrastructure.

[Atman]

11. USE THIS, dammit, dems!

STOP BEING PUSSIES! Come right out and say it! Tell America, tell the Wal Mart Nation that George W Bush is coming for their kids to clean up his ugly mess and line Dick Cheney's pockets.

SAY IT, dammit! Because it is TRUE, and that is why they admit to waiting until after the election...so lets admit to using it BEFORE the election to beat them at their own game.

I am not talking out my ass...I have to take my first-born to register for the draft this week. I am NOT happy.

[Goldmund]

14. Does anybody know...

...what the current age limits to the potential draft are? I know that you can theoretically get drafted until something like 55, but I think there are several levels... You're more likely to get drafted young than you are when you're old.

Anybody know what the age/cutoff structure of different draft levels is?

[Dems Will Win]

21. Used to be 37 or 38

In Vietnam it was something like that, although they probably have a law that lets them up it if they want to. Like if Bush is re-elected and can then follow PNAC's plan for world domination.

No draft, no PNAC plan for world domination--it's that simple. They need about 3 - 4 million people under arms to take the countries they plan to conquer.

It will happen in 2005 unless we stop Bush in '04

[Dems Will Win]

22. Used to be 37 or 38

In Vietnam it was something like that, although they probably have a law that lets them up it if they want to. Like if Bush is re-elected and can then follow PNAC's plan for world domination.

No draft, no PNAC plan for world domination--it's that simple. They need about 3 - 4 million people under arms to take the countries they plan to conquer.

It will happen in 2005 unless we stop Bush in '04

[Johnyawl]

15. It may not matter to Bush in 2005...

...but it will matter like hell to the Senators and Representatives that have to run for reelection in 2006.

If that twit gets reelected in 2004, and brings a draft back in 2005 the Dems will have control of congress in 2006.

There will be riots in the street ala the 1960's, and this Vietnam veteran with two draft age sons will be right there.

[Dems Will Win]

19. This is going to be something on the campuses alright

[Zolok]

25. It's almost worth it...

for all those Kampus Konservative Krusaders to get dragged off to Camp Swampie...
"Gosh Sergeant Firebat, I was on the bus with the other inductees and I heard guys crying for their mothers and talking like democrats..."
"Pretty awful huh? Can I put them in the stockade <blush> I was at the Dartmouth Review you know..."
"DROP AND GIVE ME FIFTY YOU CANDY ASS MUTHA-F*******! I WILL BEAT EVERYTHING OUT OF YOU AND SHOVE THE ARMY SO FAR UP THERE YER EYES WILL TURN GREEN!!!!!"
Like I said almost worth it...hell it's definitely worth recording on video "A campus conservative gets drafted"....
:)

[Dems Will Win]

28. Every high school is forced to supply the names still right?

[tritsofme]

29. What if the lame duck Bush admin launches simultaneous war?

of agression against possibly Syria Iran and N Korea?

The new Democratic administration just wouldnt be able to pull out of the middle of conflict, they would have to finish the wars.

This is a great fear of mine.

[Dems Will Win]

30. They can't, that's why they need the draft. They COULD take Syria but

Putin just put nuclear-tipped mobile missles into Syria, a clear threat to Sharon to not bomb Syrian territory any more. That will stop Bush from threatening Syria militarily, and after they did that, Bush switched to talk of mere sanctions. Iran would be a bigger nightmare than Iraq. Plus Rove said to the Repub meeting: "No War in '04", Which means in 2005, no young man left behind.

As I said before, they need to draft 3 or so million men if they want to follow the PNAC plan to take the Central Asian oil. So if Bush is re-elected in 2004, there will be a draft and it will be HUGE. No more student deferments, no more CANADA, it will be you and the Draft Board doctor standing between you and Iraqmire if you are under the age of WHATEVER AGE IT IS THEY DECIDE THEY NEED TO DRAFT TO TAKE CENTRAL ASIA.

Putin also moved the mobile nukes right near one of our bases there and clearly intends to put up a fight. He's even coordinated with the Chinese who reinforced a base of theirs near the area. Bush will need at least 3 million, maybe 6 million if we have to fight the Chines too--who of course also have their eyes on the oil.

[Dems Will Win]

36. Bush needs the draft to counter the moves of Putin and the Chinese

that is the main argument as to why he will draft so many. A semi- Cold War will start again.

[JVS]

31. Since when can you not pull out of combat?

That is how combat ends. Someone pulls out.

[Scott Lee]

32. Well isn't Cheney lucky!

I wonder if would be soldiers can opt out with the other Cheney excuse...."I have other priorities than military service."?

[frank frankly]

37. pass it on, pass it on

that will change a few opinions, I'm sure, on college campuses...

[Sting]

38. if there were ever a draft...

I will refuse to serve. I am against all war and all forms of fighting (except when someone wants to kick my ass). Other than that, if it's a tiff between two world leaders, I want no part of it whatsoever. I'll go up to Canada. I have recon skills. I won't get caught. :)

Sting

On edit: Anyone who thinks that's a coward way to go is full of $h!t. Also, why in hell would any of you want to see the draft come back? I don't care how bad it'll make Bush look, I don't want to see the draft ever come back.

[Dems Will Win]

41. I got Conscientious Objector Status during Vietnam. We don't want the

draft to come back, even if it will hurt Bush. I'm saying they have already planned to bring it back in 2005. That's why the DOD started advertising for DB members already in 2003. They didn't scrub their Selective Service site because it was a mistake, believe me. Bush and Cheney have already set this in motion and it will be a certainty in 2005.

ELECT A DEMOCRAT AND NO DRAFT IN 2005! TELL THAT TO EVERY YOUNG PERSON YOU MEET AND SPREAD THE WORD ON THIS LIKE NOTHING ELSE.

Oh and Canada will just return you when they catch you under the new agreements in all likelihood...

[Isome]

39. They can't draft me... but they can draft my son.

He's 16 now, will be 17 in July of next year. I hope they announce their intentions one way or the other soon. If they do, I have tentative plans to emigrate to Canada with him while he's still a minor. I don't know if it'll mean renouncing U.S. citizenship.

Whatever it takes, I don't want my son to fight and possibly die to democratize other nations. It can't be done by force, by definition democracy is a non-violent political endeavor. It's just a load of crap!!

[Hippo_Tron]

40. What if everybody who was drafted said that they were gay...

Bush might have a bit of a problem.

[elperromagico]

42. I'm so sick of hearing about the G.D. draft

I just wish they'd hurry up and draft me so I can kill people and get away with it. </cynicism>

"I killed 15 of those buggers! Now at home, they'd hang me, here they'll give me a fucking medal, sir." - Eric Idle, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life

[Kinkistyle]

43. A conscription army is slavery.

Forcing people to kill and risk their lives for their country without choice is immoral and unethical. It is equivalent to state-sponsored slavery. Slavery is wrong in all forms.