Bringing the draft back ???

fivestring · Apr 19, 2004

And C-Span has changed how many politician's views?
How many watcher's views?

I watched twice and that was all it took for me.
No more than a talk show to me. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

johnday · Apr 19, 2004

Allow me to apoligize about my last post about bringing back the draft. Myself and thousands of other kids were drafted during Viet Nam. Not all, but probably thousands of others seeked college deferments and other ways to simply dodge the draft. They used their socalled intelect and logic on us when we came home on leave, discharged or whatever. Called us baby killers and lot of other nonprintable names.
It seems whenever I am reminded of those dark days of our history, it just brings back feelings of bitterness and anger. I served four years in the regular Navy and another eight and a half in the reserves after I was discharged.
Don't get me wrong, not all kids that went to college instead of war, are self centered morons. Many of them fulfilled their obligations in differnt ways. Some of them went on to be doctors, teachers, and many other serving professions. I'm glad we've got them. But and I'm sure many of you remember or experienced the others. And unfortunately, they are still there.
Our troops, be they Marines,Navy, or whatever deserve our utmost respect and support. Let NOONE let these kids down the way we were.
USA ALL THE WAY.

BIGUN · Apr 19, 2004

( People of privilege will rarely sign up, no matter how much you pay them. And who makes the decision to go to war... people of privilege. It is strictly a class issue. Rich, carreer politicians make the decisions and poor people fight and die based on those decisions. )

I agree with you. Thing is, even a draft won't solve this inequity. Since rich people of privilege have connections in high places, their kids still won’t have to serve, or if they do, it will be “the guard” or some other low risk involvement. Of course some of their kids will serve out of a sense of duty, tradition, or whatever, but it will be their choice.

Junkman · Apr 19, 2004

( I agree with you. Thing is, even a draft won't solve this inequity. Since rich people of privilege have connections in high places, their kids still won’t have to serve, or if they do, it will be “the guard” or some other low risk involvement. Of course some of their kids will serve out of a sense of duty, tradition, or whatever, but it will be their choice. )

Sounds very familiar, like a present contriversary about who did and didn't serve, while being in the National Guard. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MossRoad · Apr 19, 2004

I just want to clarify that I am speaking in general terms, as it has been pointed out that some fine people of great financial status have served without being drafted. I don't want to stereotype anyone. These were just my observations.

Tractors4u · Apr 19, 2004

( or if they do, it will be “the guard” or some other low risk involvement. )

I have stayed out of this as long as I can. Do you realize how many of "The Guard" and Reserve are in Iraq and Afghanistan right now. Do you know how many have died doing some low risk job? How about PFC Whitmer of the Wisconsin National Guard. She has two sisters that are in the process of deciding if they will go back after their sisters death. I think is says volumes about them that they didn't going running to the first reporter they saw to exclaim they wouldn't go back. I guess you think "The Guard" is serving ice cream or cleaning toilets over there or as you put it, "a low risk involvement". No there are Engineers, MP's, and other HIGH RISK duties that the Guard and Reserve are doing over there. I should know next month whether I will be going in November. I hope all the low risk jobs aren't taken. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Tractors4u · Apr 19, 2004

( as it has been pointed out that some fine people of great financial status have served without being drafted )

The actor Jimmy Stewart was one of them. He was a bomber pilot in WWII. If my memory serves me correctly after the war he served in the reserves and retired as a LTC. I knew I liked him for some reason.

OkeeDon · Apr 19, 2004

some fine people of great financial status have served without being drafted. 

John F. Kennedy.
John F. Kerry.

AMP762 · Apr 20, 2004

Just my pennies worth. I think everybody should have to serve active duty then maybe in the future when the military is called upon to defend our freedom again there will be people out there who understand what it is all about. this is not a debate this is for real.
Take care of the problem now, or your children will have to.

MikePA · Apr 20, 2004

everybody should have to serve active duty then maybe in the future when the military is called upon to defend our freedom again there will be people out there who understand what it is all about 
In other words, if the person has not served, they are not qualified to send people into battle and just because they have served, they are? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Define 'active duty'. Does it mean they have to have been on the front lines or would active duty in a staff position count? What about active duty in a support area, does that count? Since when is being more or less reluctant to send people into battle good or bad? What if Lincoln had been less reluctant to send men into battle and the Civil War had not been fought or if FDR had been less reluctant and WWII had not been fought?

I'd rather have someone who is wise enough to see the need, decisive enough to act, dedicated to see it through and smart enough to leave the fighting to the professionals.

muddy · Apr 20, 2004

Mike please practise what you preach: /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 ( Please TBNers, let's not turn this thread into a discussion about the current conflicts the US is ionvolved in, OK? ) 

 ( Don, my comments were not directed at you, but everyone in the thread. Frankly, I don't know why threads like this are started since it's obvious where they will head. Particularly, since there are plenty of other web sites specfically created for the discussion of politics. ) 

 ( I agree with this (AndyM posted a similar sentiment). However, it would be very easy for such threads to dominate TBN and before we know it TBN would morph into PBN! ) 

 ( Roll up the pants, it's too late to save the shoes. ) 

/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

MikePA · Apr 20, 2004

I am. This thread has not gotten ugly so it has not been closed.

muddy · Apr 20, 2004

( since there are plenty of other web sites specfically created for the discussion of politics. ) ????

MikePA · Apr 20, 2004

Based upon the comments of others, I changed my mind. Understand?

Boondox · Apr 20, 2004

Whoa, Muddy! Mike's concern was that in the past topics like this led to flame wars that were very uncharacteristic of TBN. He had some valid concerns, but like any intelligent person he voiced those concerns then sat back and watched before taking action.

I think it speaks volumes about the civility of TBN that we all -- knowing how heated things can get -- have taken such pains to avoid offending our tractoring friends and to avoid the confrontations Mike was so worried about.

Let's all try hard to keep it that way. Remember, we're all in this sandbox together! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Pete

muddy · Apr 20, 2004

No, I don't understand ?????????????????????????

fivestring · Apr 20, 2004

"Remember, we're all in this sandbox together!"

Pete, one of the instrumental songs we do is called
"The Arab Bounce".
We announce it as a tribute to the troops in the big sandbox! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif