DarrylS

From GWB's Hometown newspaper, remember folks this is a test only a test.. and if it becomes reality to find enough troops to staff this war, then maybe middle america will realize that this is about kids dying not video games or investments in companies that make weapons of war.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/4419980.html

WASHINGTON — The Selective Service System is planning a test run of the military draft machinery for the first time since 1998.

As part of the exercise, the agency is expected to conduct a mock draft and convene an "appeals board" to handle draftees who claim status as conscientious objectors.

The test announcement comes as President Bush and Congress take up plans to expand the overall size of the Army and Marine Corps and train thousands more additional forces. Both services have been stretched thin by extended deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, though President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert Gates have said they oppose bringing back the draft.

Meanwhile, the secretary for Veterans Affairs said Thursday that "society would benefit" if the U.S. were to bring back the draft and that it shouldn't have any loopholes. VA Secretary Jim Nicholson later issued a statement saying he does not support reinstituting a draft.

The draft ended in 1973 as the American commitment in Vietnam waned, beginning the era of the all-volunteer force. Registration for the draft was suspended in 1975 but was resumed in 1980 by President Carter after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. About 13.5 million men, ages 18 to 25, currently are registered with the agency.

The Arlington, Va.-based Selective Service System updated guidance manuals for local draft boards and appeals boards around the country. The agency now is exploring public service options for any draftees who would claim conscientious objector status. The agency has opened discussions with the U.S. Public Health Service, the Corporation for Community and National Service and religious and charitable organizations with the goal of finding non-military positions for conscientious objectors.

__________________
"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

sdaniels7114

I think that an extra 150,000 soldiers would be a gigantic shot in the military's arm. That's just a hair over 1% of the candidates that are registered with the selective service. I can't believe we'd have to go to a draft to get a little more than 1% of those people to sign up. The vast majority of them are currently employed in the worst, most lowest-paying job they'll ever have and they are as least likely to have kids at home as they'll ever be. Increase the pay and bump up the GI Bill's benefits (I bet it hasn't increased to match the crazy inflation that's gone on at colleges across the country) and we'll get the increase that's needed without the gigantic political firestorm that the draft will bring. At this point a new draft will affect the political landscape in the US the to the same degree that the civil rights acts of the 60's did. It could kill the Republican party for a generation or more.

Then again maybe a draft is exactly what those slackers need to whip them into shape

Harry Boy

Liberal Democrats would love a draft, they want to completely destroy our Military, a real Liberal despises the military, Clinton even admitted he did.

Can you just imagine these Baggy Pant Tatooed A$s Holes giving their "Homey Signs" walking around in an Army Uniform, as soon as they are issued a gun they will start shooting each other.

The Liberals big dream during this war is to have another "Viet Nam War Protest" THEY WOULD LOVE TO SEE A GOOD OLD FASHIONED "RIOT" IN THE STREETS.

Starting the draft will start another war right here in America, thats what that f-cking Racist Rat Bastard Rangle wants.

It could be a good thing though, if a Democrat wins in 2008 he will a have a Draft and Riots in the streets to deal with.

__________________
Harry Boy (Genius)

In The Absence Of Law And Order Society Will Surely Destroy Itself

Real World

Give it a rest already. THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A DRAFT. PERIOD.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


"The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him."
Leo Tolstoy, 1897