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was this guy NOT paying attention?
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 7:29 pm
by Mister Bushice
Didn't the american people just hand the republicans their asses on a plate, primarily because of Iraq?
Didn't his party gain a majority in the house and senate, primarily because of iraq?
And now he, a democrat, wants to fuel the war machine?
They really are this stupid.....
Senior Democrat renews call for military draft
By Jackie Frank 1 hour, 45 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An influential Democratic lawmaker on Sunday called for reinstatement of the draft as a way to boost U.S. troop levels and draw a broader section of the population into the military or public service.
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U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (news, bio, voting record), the incoming chairman of the House of Representatives' tax-writing committee, said he would introduce legislation to reinstate the draft as soon as the new, Democratic-controlled Congress convenes in January.
Asked on CBS' "Face the Nation" if he was still serious about the proposal for a universal draft he raised a couple of years ago, he said, "You bet your life. Underscore serious."
"If we're going to challenge
Iran and challenge
North Korea and then, as some people have asked, to send more troops to
Iraq, we can't do that without a draft," he said.
Rangel, who opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, also said he did not think the United States would have invaded Iraq if the children of members of Congress were sent to fight. He has said the U.S. fighting force is comprised disproportionately of people from low-income families and minorities.
"I don't see how anyone can support the war and not support the draft. I think to do so is hypocritical," he said.
The New York Democrat had introduced legislation to reinstate the draft in January 2003 before the Iraq invasion. The
Pentagon has said the all-volunteer army is working well and there is no need for a draft, and the idea had no traction in the Republican-led Congress.
Democrats gained control of both the House and Senate for the first time in 12 years in the November 7 election, and a wholesale change in the leadership of Congress is to be made in January. Rangel is to head the House Ways and Means Committee, which is charged with U.S. tax and trade legislation.
The draft was in place from 1948 to 1973, when the United States converted to an all-volunteer army. But almost all men living in the United States - including most male noncitizens - are required to register with the Selective Service upon reaching 18, and federal benefits, including financial aid for college studies, are contingent on registration.
Rangel said his legislation on the draft would also offer the alternative of a couple of years of public service with educational benefits.
Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 8:22 pm
by Dinsdale
Remember how The Union won the Civil War?
How could anyone possibly even fathom a draft, when there's perfectly able-bodied mexicans trying to get citizenship?
After all, they do do the work our black people won't, and all.
Put your money where your mouth is, beaners.
Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 12:18 am
by Shlomart Ben Yisrael
Here's an interview from 'Electronic Politics' with Dr. Andrew J. Bacevich, former military.
In the last fifteen minutes of this rather long interview, he gives his reason why the draft should be re-instated, and the reason is
not the typical "Waaaah... Rich, white Republicans should go to war too!".
I won't ruin the surprise, but his explanation will shock you. BTW, although the interviewer is certainly a hand-wringing liberal,
Andrew J. Bacevich most emphatically
is not.
Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 3:21 am
by Dr_Phibes
Actually, that was good - I always just assumed that Rangel was aiming for some sense of public grand irony.
Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 5:16 pm
by Cuda
There are many good reasons to reinstate the draft, just as there are significant drawbacks to the all-volunteer military.
Chimpy should have called for reinstating the draft on 9/12/01.
It's probably the only thing I'd ever agree with Rangel about
Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 9:19 pm
by Goober McTuber
Might be your best shot at gainful employment.
Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 2:08 am
by BSmack
Dr_Phibes wrote:
Actually, that was good - I always just assumed that Rangel was aiming for some sense of public grand irony.
No, Rangel is looking to energize the base. He figures that if young, traditionally more liberal non-voters are threatened with being sent into the meat grinder, that they will get off their asses and vote for Democrats. IMO, his theory is fatally flawed. But that’s his reasoning.
Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 3:43 am
by Dr_Phibes
BSmack wrote: IMO, his theory is fatally flawed. But that’s his reasoning.
I'll take your word for it - good thing I kept my mouth shut.
I thought Mr. Bushice just didn't get it.
Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006 2:40 pm
by Truman
What B said. Chuckles has an axe to grind....
Overall, the wartime recruits are more similar than dissimilar to their civilian counterparts. The all-volunteer force displays near proportional representation of income backgrounds. Whites serve in approximate proportion to their population, although representation of minority groups varies. Recruits must meet educational standards, and the military provides resources for furthering education to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend four-year colleges. Although rural representation is disproportional, the military offers the opportunity to gain new skills and enter industries that are not available in rural areas.
With regard to income, education, race, and regional background, the all-volunteer force is representative of our nation and meets standards set by Congress and the Department of Defense. In contrast to the patronizing slanders of antiwar critics, recruit quality is increasing as the war in Iraq continues. Although recent recruiting goals have been difficult to meet, reenlistment is strong and recruit quality remains high. No evidence supports arguments for reinstating the draft or altering recruiting policies to achieve more equitable representation.
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Nation ... a06-09.cfm
Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 4:32 am
by Diogenes
Basicly the worthless POS thinks the majority of those in uniform are a bunch of losers who couldn't get a job otherwise. But he has a point, Machivellian as it is. The Vietnam era protests rose with the advent of large scale drafting, and disintigrated when Nixon abolished the draft.
And of course, anything that is bad for America is good for the POP.
Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 11:18 am
by Shlomart Ben Yisrael
" In contrast to the patronizing slanders of antiwar critics, recruit quality is increasing as the war in Iraq continues."
I laughed.
I hear they're now allowing chronic bed-wetters and guys who like to play with matches.
Seriously, who'd want to sign up to get their legs blown off in a bullshit war that
even Bush doesn't seem too keen about anymore?