http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20478293/site/newsweek/

I just finished writing a short analysis on this article for a class.

I think Corporal Finelli has some serious misconceptions about the actual data available on past drafts, and I don't know why he thinks there were no deferments in WWII.

Anyway discuss and so forth.

Draft=lose. If it DOES have to come back, keep combat occupational specialties all volunteer, draft college students and men with established families as reservists/guard, and include women for a shorter contract obligation.

How many people do you guys have in prison for drug charges? Just draft all of them; solve 2 problems at once.

If we ever get engaged in another epic scale war then a draft is necessary but short of that a draft would only serve to drag down the quality of the military.

Sure, if you hate the military.

Yeah, that'll work.

They better start building more prisons for people who refuse to go...

[Edit - This guy has a weird view about putting the "brightest" on the front line]

[Edit 2 - And why can't anti-war protests be just anti-war protests without being anti-draft? This current war in Iraq has had very low support from quite a few Americans, even before the draft talk. If we want these "jihadists" (hahaha) to stop wanting to kill us, sending joe-shmo to Iraq isn't going to help that.]

I support the draft in America tomorrow. That way the dishonesties and horrific truths about this entire administration, and worse the people who voted in this administration will come to the front. Government has conveniently balanced all of the issues so that it doesn't affect enough people to be challenged. They point us at each other while they do whatever they want. A draft would give us a common grounds that crosses reds and blues and let us all agree to fight the stupidity.

Okay so I made that post half-jokingly, and I definitely see why in this case it's a stupid idea, because the guy in the article is saying that the draft is needed because it will indirectly ensure better equipment for the soldiers. But, if it were a case of having a manpower shortage, why not first take people from prisons? I'm not talking about mass murderers of course, but maybe the guy who got arrested for posession of marijuana or something. Make the punishment for non-violent crimes be a term of service in Iraq. You say it will degrade the quality of the military, but let's face it, as Roach said, it's not exactly the smartest people who are fighting the war in any case.

Actually on second thought; take all the people convicted for gun crimes too. Less training needed!

EDIT: I should clarify that I'm not trying to make a blanket statement about all servicemen; I know there's lots of smart people on the front lines. But military service is quite often a last resort of the dropped-out-of-high-school-and-can't-get-a-job-at-McDonalds crew.

No. High School diplomas are almost always required to enlist. Over 90% of us have high school diplomas. The general public is at about 70%. At least in the Marine Corps, education concurrent with your military training is required, and as a consequence, few Marines EAS without some college education.

That's a bizarre misconception that is only true for a minority of people.

However, the stereotype that only idiots join the infantry is true. I got a 90 on the ASVAB and I picked dismounted infantry. I could have been a track scout, but nooooo I wanted to be an 0311...

****ing spook.

EDIT:I get your drift of the rest of your post, and I know you're not making a blanket statement, but really, some of the nation's smartest people are in the military. They're just usually the conservative smart people so most people think they are dumb.

Okay, I didn't realize that you needed a highschool diploma. Makes sense.

Even better than a draft, pull out. I sure as heck don't care about a bunch of crazy violent idiots in a dessert half way around the world to lay down my life for them.

.

If I recall correctly, it's over 85% now.

I happened to run into a Navy recruiter recently..he said they're having a difficult time finding qualified people, and have had to turn a significant number down for one reason or another.

That is true. Also remember that you actually have to pass a test to join the military. Most people who are interested in serving in the military are turned down because they can't pass the test or they have disqualifying law violations.

You know, if they would just let us do our ****ing job over here, there wouldn't be a need for a draft.

I thought this thread was going to be about beer.

I think people get that stereotype from the Army.

But I'll tell ya, I'm attatched to the "Scout Troop" for our Battalion. It's basically a company sized element of Cavalry Scouts. They make 11B's look smart. Some of the things they do I'm just like ".... *Facepalm*

Also, should've been a 0861

is the administration trying to force a democratic presidency?

a move like this could shoot them in the foot.

also, if the draft is reinstated, do i still have to take the test? if so, someone slip me the answers so i can get half of them wrong.

I am filing this for whenever something bad next happens to you and you come to the internet for sympathy

It's not really that we're "laying down our lives" for them. I'm putting my life on hold in service of my country, and if that means that I have to come over here and fight an unpopular war, then so be it. I signed up for it, so I'm going to do it.

The way I see it, and stop me if you think I'm trying to justify this war, is that we're preventing this place from becoming a bigger international hub for terrorism.

A country is just a set of borders and is a completely outdated notion. This is why I think doing anything in the name of your country is foolish. Doing something in the name of a set of ideals is something I can support.

He doesn't need internet for sympathy.

He just goes to his mama for that.

Wow, how humanitarian of you.



Probably, I know the Army is relaxing it's qualifications somewhat. Facepalm is my favorite gesture at drill. ****ing reservists.



I agree, but I think that in common usage, "fighting for your country" has less and less to do with land and more and more to do with myspace.

A draft will NEVER happen, ever. If there is actually one thing that could unify the people here regardless of political affiliation, it would be the draft, and I can guarantee bad **** would happen if a draft somehow passed Congress.. Not to mention that even a politician mentioning one is political suicide, let alone actually voting on one.

*waits for the inevitable OMG BUSH ADMINISTRATION WOULD DO IT HAR HAR HAR!*

Will NEVER happen logic is slightly retarded.

For the Iraq "war."

Probably not.


Beyond that, it could happen.

If theres a draft I'm gonna kill people.

No you won't.

Having been to many anti war protests myself, most of them have little to nothing to do with a draft. (I see maybe 1-2% even talking about a draft, and most of those are about back-door drafting)

Isn't that the point >.>

Are you implying that the terrorists would own my hippy ***?

I'm implying that you aren't going to kill people if you get drafted.

You'll roll over and comply. And go change tires for the next 4 years because the only other thing fat people are good for is ducking behind.

I would hope so considering they have been beating ours.

???

Man has a point.

If there's a draft, I'm going to Canada.

Actually, I'd just join the coast guard.

That's what I said I'd do if Bush got reelected. I'm still here...

Coast Guardsmen have been deployed to Iraq.

Just FYI.

Also yes, running from a draft makes you a pussy *****. Filing as a conscientious objector does not make you a pussy ***** (despite what many military members may say).

Since when is someone a pussy *******[?] for refusing to kill people in senseless wars? Whether or not they choose to comply with the prevailing bureaucracies?