Will we be sorry for voting Democratic? My Son will be 19!!!!!!!

[babsbunny]

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/19/america/NA_GEN_US_Military_Draft.php

U.S. politician says he will introduce bill to reinstate military draft
The Associated PressPublished: November 19, 2006



WASHINGTON: A senior House Democrat said Sunday he will introduce legislation to reinstate the military draft, asserting that current troop levels are insufficient to sustain possible challenges against Iran, North Korea and Iraq.

"There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq, especially on the flimsy evidence that was presented to the Congress, if indeed we had a draft and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids from their communities would be placed in harm's way," said Rep. Charles Rangel, a New York Democrat.

Rangel, a veteran of the Korean War who has unsuccessfully sponsored legislation on conscription in the past, said he will propose the measure early next year.

At a time when some lawmakers are urging the military to send more troops to Iraq, "I don't see how anyone can support the war and not support the draft," he said.

[More Than A Feeling]

1. Rangel's probably thinking that the American people

will look at the choice as between draft and war, and decide against war. What I predict happening is the American people will reject Rangel's idea out of hand, and consider the possibility of continuing war against Iran, NK, and Iraq separately.

Edit: FYI, I am definitely within draftable range, and I am not concerned.

[pnwmom]

26. They have ALREADY decided against the war. That's why the

Democrats won this election.

So when Americans reject Rangel's idea, they're going to be rejecting the Democratic party, too. They're going to think we're all a bunch of nuts. Or worse.

[NYCGirl]

2. Relax. It has no chance of passing, and Rangel knows that. NT

[annabanana]

3. Like it would pass. Settle down. . . .

(p.s. My boys are 18 & 20)

[babsbunny]

4. Whew!

If you say so.....

[pnwmom]

27. I think it could pass. Bush would love to have a draft

and this bill, sponsored by a Democrat, would give him cover.

Rangel is in a much more powerful position now than he was a month ago. He shouldn't be going around proposing bills under the assumption that they'll never pass.

[Old and In the Way]

5. It's a political conversation that needs to happen.

There is no consensus for a draft...but out of that conversation will come the untenable hypocrisy of using a "volunteer" army to wage wars for the corporate bottom line. This administration and the Republican Party keep telling us how important this war is...just how important will it be if they vote against a draft?

[Ethelk2044]

6. Draft

I saw his interview this morning. He stated if everyone had to spend time in the military, then congress would have not voted for the war because their children would have been at stake. Therefore Bush would have done everything necessary to prevent the war in the first place. He is correct in that regard. If the Senators and House of Representatives children had to fight in this war, we would have never entered Iraq. We have have done everything possible to make sure we would not have gone to war. It was shown with Michael Moore's 911 film the Senator tried to evade the question. Sure, everyone is for war as long as it is not their sons and daughters fighting the war. I am not saying I agree with him as far as the draft. However, I would like to see how many people would be for the war if they actually had to serve a couple of years. Chris Matthews had a town hall meeting at a college campus in (I believe in Iowa about a month ago.) He asked the students if they were for the war and if they backed the President. Of course the majority of the students were repugs. They said yes. Then Chris asked them to raise their hands to see how many were willing to serve in the military to help with the war. Keep in mind the room was full. Only 4 or 5 people stated they were willing to serve. It goes back to say sure support the war as long as it is not me and my family. If the Senate had sons and daughters having to serve in the war, you can bet there would nave never been a war in the first place. Bring our Sons and Daughters Home Now!

[Nite Owl]

7. I have two draft aged sons

who they will take over my dead body. I am not worried about Charlie's bill in the least. He wants to make the point that war means your child going too Mr. President and Mr. Senator. His bill has no exceptions so if the chickenhawks want to send their own they will vote for this. Peace would breaking out so fast Dennis Kucinich would win in a landslide!

[pnwmom]

28. Dream on. Dennis Kucinich would be smeared

as a member of the party that initiated the draft. The party will self-destruct if its leaders are as naively idealistic as many DU'ers seem to be.

[Nite Owl]

41. That's why it won't happen

and people are getting all upset over it for nothing. Rangel is just bringing out the real costs of endless war(s). The answer that McCain and others are proposing calls for more troops, a lot more, to be sent into Iraq. Where are the troops going to come from for Iran or Syria? Before people think that this is an answer they need to address where exactly these troops will come from. If it is their children involved the public will be saying no resoundingly. It's actually people like McCain who are pro draft, Rangel is just calling it like it is.

[sillyparty]

8. Democrats Didn't Start This War

And if you want to blame someone. Blame the Democrat base that thought Gore and Bush were the same, or Kerry wasn't liberal enough.

Go to Iraq and see how they feel about their son's and daughter's in a war they didn't ask for.

Maybe America will sober up.

I agree with Rangel.

Oh BTW. You think keeping Republicans in office means your son won't be drafted when they start the next war.

Give me a frikin break

[ProSense]

33. "Democrat base"?

Something really telling in that!

[niyad]

9. if you think that the repukes didn't intend to reinstate the draft after

this last election, you are living in a dream world of denial.

[pnwmom]

29. Absolutely. And Rangel's just provided them with the cover they need.

He has their back.

[niyad]

10. instead of a draft, I propose a law that states that whenver congress

votes to approve a war, or a police action, or whatever damned euphemism they choose for sending our people into harm's way, whenever the current occupant of the oval office decides to get his rocks off by invading another country, etc., etc., that each and every person who calls for such action, who votes to approve and fund it, is the FIRST to go, along with each and every member of their family (out to at least first cousins) who is of suitable age, and that includes the women. this means, of course, that gin and tonic would have been the first to go in this insanity.

[No Exit]

43. Hear, hear!! Seriously!!!

[fuzzyball]

11. Look at the positive side, the Army will make a "man" out of your son in a

hurry. You will not regret his morphosis.

[babsbunny]

12. He is not military material!

Some just aren't! My other Son was in the 111th airborne.

[fuzzyball]

23. The chances of a draft are slim to none....so doncha worry

the military gets more than enough volunteers and
they claim that the quality of people joining is
better than the draftees. So I can't see a draft coming.

[pnwmom]

30. You forgot your sarcasm smilie.

But just in case your post was serious, tell that to Cindy Sheehan or the other parents of the dead and injured.

[fuzzyball]

42. pnwmom...you make me forget a lot of things....

LOL but seriously,
military service is a good thing for most young people.
I have many realtives in the military including my brother
who is career air force. And 95% of parents are proud of the
service their kids are performing.

But I am not in favor of sending our young men and women to
fight civil wars in other countries. Once Osama was put on
the run into the mountain caves and Saddam was toppled, Bush
& Cheney & Rummy should have had better plans for exit strategy
from Iraq and prevented the deaths of 2800 American soldiers.
They screwed up.

The sunni & shia have been at odds for 1300 years. It is not
or job to reconcile their differences.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

13. There. Is. Not. Going. To. Be. A. Draft.

Can we please stop with the hysteria?

[pnwmom]

32. You have no way to prove that except for sheer, blind faith.

Which I do not share.

[Beacho]

14. Your son Will be on his way to being 21

Before a draft will be up and running....


Think about all your republican neighbors, with teenage sons, that will 'all of a sudden' be concerned about being involved with war.

Rangel is calling a bluff and initiating a debate that needs to happen to have an honest debate about sending our troops to overseas adventures

[pnwmom]

34. That won't matter. Under the lottery system, older men and women

will be taken in the first year.

I don't believe in playing poker with kids' lives. Rangel could call Bush's bluff and Bush could play out his cards.

[LWolf]

15. I have 2 sons in their 20s.

They are no politician's cannon fodder. Nobody will ever train them to kill, or send them out to kill on someone else's order, as long as I am drawing breath.

[AlCzervik]

16. If this were to pass which it won't it will be moms ending the war.

[Ninja Jordan]

17. Rangel is a moron.

[AlCzervik]

18. no he's not.

[Ninja Jordan]

19. Anyone who thinks this isn't idiotic politically needs to check their head.

Rangel lives in a dream world. How does he think this affects dem politicians in the midwest and other areas who have to explain away this crap to their constituents (who basically voted to draw down the war, not institute a draft)?

[TankLV]

20. It's fucking brillian politics.

That's what it is.

NO chickenhawk repuke will vote for it - EVER!

He wants to PERSONALIZE this war the way it should be.

Those pushing this fucking ILLEGAL war of CHOICE based on LIES better put up or shut up and BRING THE TROOPS HOME - NOW!

THAT is what should be "obvious" to everyone but IDIOTS...

[AlCzervik]

21. Thank you.

:toast: :hi:

[fuzzyball]

24. Nope, the democratic majority in congress will vote against the draft

by atleast 2 to 1. Actually more like 4 to 1. I will
take bets on it.

[caledesi]

25. Well said TLV. I "get it." I cannot understand the hysteria nor

the lack of understanding ol' Charlie. I guess many haven't seen him talk about Iraq. He is "givng it" to the thugs. Yes, he is a brilliant politician.

[ima_sinnic]

40. thank you for the cogent explanation--seems it cannot be overstated

[pnwmom]

36. Then he's a self-absorbed grandstander.

[Renew Deal]

39. You would know?

:shrug:

[sillyparty]

22. So Your Ok With Others Dying

So you are ok with others dying for these lies.

But not my son.

Isn't America great.

[ProSense]

35. No one should be dying! n/t

[pnwmom]

37. Why do you think any of us are okay with ANYONE's dying in Iraq?

I'm not okay with our soldiers dying over there, and I'm not okay with 600,000 Iraqis dying, either. I've been protesting this war since months before it began and I'm through with this party if it tries to send my children to that hell-hole. I worked for and gave money to this party to get us out of Iraq -- not to lay the foundation for Bush to expand even further.

[carlydenise]

31. Honestly, can you imagine if Rangel ever got his way........

1960's protests would be playground stuff compared to today's protesters, back then it was students and mostly young people, they would have students, young people, moms, dads, grandparents, aunts uncles teachers dogs and cats, it would be a solid riot all the time, they know this, and this is why this will not pass, as the social uprising would be large, chaotic and with no social order to speak of.
Carly

[pnwmom]

38. Yes, and the protests would be directed at the Democrats.

This would be the kiss of death for the party.

[CANDO]

44. Service to our country is an honorable thing.

And it's why most politicians who have served are Democrats in case you haven't noticed. I understand not wanting your son under the command of Geedubya, but I fully support Charlie Rangel on this issue. The rich as well as the poor and middle classes should all be required two years of service to country, no exceptions. I proudly served five years in the US Navy and I'm a better person for it. There's to damned many lazy ass kids addicted to their PS2's and Nintendos who just want to skate off into college party life and let protection of our country up to the poor and working classes.