Top Democrat: Bring back the draft

aeroripper · 11-20-2006, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Americans would have to sign up for a new military draft after turning 18 if the incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee has his way.

New York Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel said Sunday he sees his idea as a way to deter politicians from launching wars. He believes a draft would bolster U.S. troop levels that are currently insufficient to cover potential future action in 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," Rangel said.

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

In 2003, he proposed a draft covering people age 18 to 26. This year, he offered a plan to mandate military service for men and women between age 18 and 42. It went nowhere in the Republican-led Congress.

I fail to see how it will deter leaders from starting wars, but its one side of the spectrum to see the argument from, although I think there are far better (and more likely) options than this. It'll probably be needed again in the future to keep troops in 130 countries and still maintain an army that can occupy more than 2 nations at once.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/....ap/index.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15805957/

Lucky Shot · 11-20-2006, 12:19 AM

Yep, Rangel's argument is a stretch.

Lucky Shot

thebleakaffinity · 11-20-2006, 12:36 AM

These kinds of plans always come back to bite the creators in the ass.

**CingularDuality** · 11-20-2006, 02:22 AM

I don't understand this. Perhaps it's because the reporting is trying to be sensational? Or is it because this is slightly redundant legislation?

It's already mandatory for almost every man that lives in the United States, or that is a US Citizen, to register within 30 days of his eighteenth birthday for the Selective Service.

aeroripper · 11-20-2006, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CingularDuality

I don't understand this. Perhaps it's because the reporting is trying to be sensational? Or is it because this is slightly redundant legislation?

It's already mandatory for almost every man that lives in the United States, or that is a US Citizen, to register within 30 days of his eighteenth birthday for the Selective Service.

It is sensational and redundant, especially when you open up cnn and it says in big bold letters:

Rangel: Bring back the draft

It was my understanding that the selective service is there so the infrastructure is readily available during an emergency, but getting the gears churning again for a national draft to support an ongoing war overseas is a different story.

**Switchcraft** · 11-20-2006, 04:56 AM

Cing, the article isn't talking about signing up for selective service. That system is there in case there needs to be a draft.

Rangel is actually trying to push for a draft...that is, to to begin involuntary recruitment in the near future. The legislation is not redundant.

**CingularDuality** · 11-20-2006, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchcraft

Cing, the article isn't talking about signing up for selective service. That system is there in case there needs to be a draft.

Rangel is actually trying to push for a draft...that is, to to begin involuntary recruitment in the near future. The legislation is not redundant.

Every article I've ever read has said that he wants to make "Americans sign up for a new draft after turning 18". I guess that's the ignorant reporters trying to sensationalize things?

I don't know that I'd be that opposed to starting a draft, except if it's not necessary. Aren't all of the branches still coming close to pre-war recruiting goals?

Lucky Shot · 11-20-2006, 01:10 PM

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061120/D8LGK3D00.html

He has a quote in this article that runs along the lines of saying if we had a draft, we never would have gone into Iraq. Rangel also has brought up a draft in 2003, and tried to mandate military service earlier in the year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rangel

"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," Rangel said.

Quote:

He said having a draft would not necessarily mean everyone called to duty would have to serve. Instead, "young people (would) commit themselves to a couple of years in service to this great republic, whether it's our seaports, our airports, in schools, in hospitals," with a promise of educational benefits at the end of service.

Very pie in the sky, and also very out of touch with America.

Lucky Shot

Evo<^|SiNz|^> · 11-20-2006, 03:42 PM

This is already dead in the water, leaders on both sides of the aisle have already opposed it. Rangle proposed something similar in 2003, and he was the only one that voted in favor of it.

Lucky Shot · 11-21-2006, 02:01 AM

Let the infighting begin!

http://today.reuters.com/news/articl...src=rss&rpc=22

Lucky Shot

thebleakaffinity · 11-21-2006, 02:08 AM

Quote:

"We did not include that" in legislative plans for early next year, said Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, who will be House majority leader when the new Congress convenes in January under Democratic control for the first time in 12 years.

...

Instead, Pelosi said Rangel was trying to underscore that the U.S. war effort should be a "shared sacrifice" and his legislation was "a way to make that point."

Wow, them's fighting words.

Lucky Shot · 11-21-2006, 02:19 AM

Avalanches start with a snowball...

Lucky Shot

thebleakaffinity · 11-21-2006, 02:36 AM

I'd consider it a sign of healthy debate and disagreement among party members. Better this than all of them towing the same line constantly.

Evo<^|SiNz|^> · 11-21-2006, 09:48 AM

I wouldn't call that "infighting". It's more like a resounding "no" from party leaders.

**section-8** · 11-21-2006, 05:41 PM

meh...I kinda like being in a volunteer-only type thing...less bitching...not no bitching...but less,I think... unless we get in some major stuff, i dont think this will ever come to fruition...(not that that statement is anything prophetic, tho)

11-20-2006, 12:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lucky Shot Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,636	Re: Top Democrat: Bring back the draft Yep, Rangel's argument is a stretch. Lucky Shot Last edited by Lucky Shot; 11-20-2006 at 12:40 AM.

11-20-2006, 12:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
thebleakaffinity Banned Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Boulder, Colorado Age: 20 Posts: 1,133	Re: Top Democrat: Bring back the draft These kinds of plans always come back to bite the creators in the ass.

11-20-2006, 02:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
CingularDuality Join Date: May 2003 Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth area of Texas, USA Age: 33 Posts: 16,637	Re: Top Democrat: Bring back the draft I don't understand this. Perhaps it's because the reporting is trying to be sensational? Or is it because this is slightly redundant legislation? It's already mandatory for almost every man that lives in the United States, or that is a US Citizen, to register within 30 days of his eighteenth birthday for the Selective Service. __________________ Become a supporting member! -- Shop at the Tactical Market! Take the world's smallest political quiz! "I was touched by His Noodly Appendage." TacticalGamer TX LAN/BBQ Veteran:

11-20-2006, 04:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
Switchcraft Join Date: May 2003 Location: New York, NY Age: 30 Posts: 904	Re: Top Democrat: Bring back the draft Cing, the article isn't talking about signing up for selective service. That system is there in case there needs to be a draft. Rangel is actually trying to push for a draft...that is, to to begin involuntary recruitment in the near future. The legislation is not redundant.

11-20-2006, 03:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
Evo<^\|SiNz\|^> Join Date: May 2006 Location: Alexandria, VA Age: 27 Posts: 1,141	Re: Top Democrat: Bring back the draft This is already dead in the water, leaders on both sides of the aisle have already opposed it. Rangle proposed something similar in 2003, and he was the only one that voted in favor of it. __________________ "No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country." - Attributed to General George Patton, Jr.

11-21-2006, 02:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
Lucky Shot Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,636	Re: Top Democrat: Bring back the draft Let the infighting begin! http://today.reuters.com/news/articl...src=rss&rpc=22 Lucky Shot

11-21-2006, 02:19 AM	#12 (permalink)
Lucky Shot Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,636	Re: Top Democrat: Bring back the draft Avalanches start with a snowball... Lucky Shot

11-21-2006, 02:36 AM	#13 (permalink)
thebleakaffinity Banned Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Boulder, Colorado Age: 20 Posts: 1,133	Re: Top Democrat: Bring back the draft I'd consider it a sign of healthy debate and disagreement among party members. Better this than all of them towing the same line constantly.

11-21-2006, 09:48 AM	#14 (permalink)
Evo<^\|SiNz\|^> Join Date: May 2006 Location: Alexandria, VA Age: 27 Posts: 1,141	Re: Top Democrat: Bring back the draft I wouldn't call that "infighting". It's more like a resounding "no" from party leaders. __________________ "No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country." - Attributed to General George Patton, Jr.

11-21-2006, 05:41 PM	#15 (permalink)
section-8 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Okinawa Age: 25 Posts: 1,306	Re: Top Democrat: Bring back the draft meh...I kinda like being in a volunteer-only type thing...less bitching...not no bitching...but less,I think... unless we get in some major stuff, i dont think this will ever come to fruition...(not that that statement is anything prophetic, tho) __________________

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