| Subject: Whoa - Ray AND Dave?!?!?!?!? |
Author:
Rob Dog Bastard
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Date Posted: 21:06:57 07/21/04 Wed
In reply to:
Dave
's message, "Re: The Draft" on 13:24:22 07/21/04 Wed
You know you've touched a nerve when two long-time no-shows join the ol' debate!!
Actually, you shouldn't be surprised by my post. I am a strong believer in the draft, but the same as you I believe that it should only be used in time of distinct need. Unfortunately, there is a possibility that the time is coming.
Right now our troops are pushing their limits of deployment - the problem with China involves Taiwan, and depending on the current political situation in the US when China finally decides to stop letting the Taiwanese toy with independence there is a good chance that at least some movement will occur in that area. China's potential for conflict doesn't end with Taiwan, however.
North Korea's recent posturing also brings up issues of old alliances between N. Korea, China, and even Russia. That coupled with the current percieved weakness of the US in global political circles makes things very complicated out there. Luckily, the current administration has had the good sense to move some troops OUT of S. Korea recently, since those troops were well recognized as a mere "speed bump" to any North Korean action (especially after tactical nukes were removed from the region in 1994 in an attempt to appease the North). The potential for conflict in the region, however, remains very high. Not the least concerning of which is the increasing willingness of Japan to use military force in a time when N. Korea is very willing to test it's medium range missiles over Japanese waters.
Furthermore, there is the off chance for further conflict in Europe these days what with the European Union Constitutional draft drudging up an alarming number of old rivalries and deep-seeded national rivalries in the region.
Sprinkle in the ever-present problem of Iran flipping the bird to the UN nuclear weapons inspectors while sending troops into Iraq to support the insurgency efforts, Israel stirring the Middle East pot with it's all too obvious attempt to imitate the Berlin Wall, and areas such as the Sudan where genocide is the word of the day and it's easy to see where the US runs out of troops.
Hopefully none of this happens, but it certainly may happen. Already we are seeing increased willingness for nations to come back to the table and offer their hand to assist the US with our international efforts. Also, I fully agree that a full-fledged attempt at increasing the volunteer force is the first and most reasonable way of filling that current and future need. But if we do need the draft . . .
. . . first of all, I do not believe that it should, nor do I believe that it WOULD happen merely to support global policing efforts. Remember that the draft is political suicide for whoever enacts it. Outside of General McCain I doubt any politician in the US feels so strongly about efforts in the Sudan, South Korea, Afghanistan or even Iraq enough to attempt to reinstate the draft.
As for Ray's comments about having a choice in the matter. Well . . . Ray, I love you, but you and I will never come together on this one. The draft is the draft and I don't care the least bit what your life decisions have been up to this point, but if your number comes up that's it. This has nothing to do with school, social status or anything else. I am not currently enrolled in school. This has everything to do with my life decisions up to this point, but if you can honestly tell me that in a worst-case scenario that I should go and you should be able to opt out then I think your wires are crossed on this issue.
I don't believe there should be an opt-out. That is akin to class warfare and when reality is sprinkled into the equation it often equates to sexual and racial warfare as well. That was the primary problem with troop morale in Vietnam amongst the drafted. I am an uneducated black man chosen to fight and die to defend the ideal of an educated white man at home? I don't think so.
I will write more later if you guys respond to these points. I did, however, JUST get home from a 15 hour work day and right now I am going to bed.
COME BACK TO THE BOARD GUYS!!! HAVE FUN!!! L8R!!!!
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