Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: lukster on November 19, 2006, 03:47:45 PM
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Think the democrats can push this through? I'm thinking it'll bite 'em in the butt, hard, come '08.
Draft (http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyID=2006-11-19T174004Z_01_N19349552_RTRUKOC_0_US-USA-POLITICS-DRAFT.xml&WTmodLoc=PolNewsHome_C1_%5BFeed%5D-8)
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OH HELL NO!
I never thaught about how bad the draft would be until just now when it occured to me that I'd be training basic training draftees.
AAAHHHHHHGGGGG!
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If they do. thjey can say goodbye to 08
Its political suicide
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The Draft as such will never happen. Political suicide like actually trying to fix Social Security in a way that works.
Possibly some form of FEDERAL SERVICE, which I think would be a good thing. Military for 1 year and then a slot in the Reserves or National Guard for a couple more would be one option. Or two years active duty. Or fight forrest fires, teach or work with inner city kids, be on call to support clean up operations in the event of an oil spill or such. There are many community and volunteer efforts that could come under this idea. Some paid, some internships, some volunteer efforts..... Service could be performed all at once, or in increments in some cases. Volunteer efforts would be shorter in length, paid efforts longer. Some could be tied to student loans and grants... like becoming a teacher; fully paid scholarship for two years teaching in a failing school district.
Some form of responsible service I'd see as a good thing for most of todays kids, especially between high school and college when most young folks really do not know what they want to do, or those that can't afford college to get something on their resume before they flip burgers.
Now, if it comes down to military numbers and expanding the military, there is an old idea that dove tails nicely into the current immigration mess.
Formation of an American Foreign Legion. Have a core of American Officers and NCO cadre, themselves taught to speak Spanish, recruit from South and Central America. Soldiers serve six years service, learn English, and are taught a useful military skill or given the option of off-duty training courses while serving. At the end of their enlistment, automatically given U.S. citizenship and VA benefits (probably spouses and children as well). Six years of assured work and income, medical care, education, and citizenship in return for risking military service.
And let's face it.... the American public as a whole will cry less if such Legionares are in harms way than American troops the same way you hear so much less about American contractors in harms way in Iraq now. For American Officer's and NCO's, such deployments would more often than not be the fast track to promotion, so you would get takers from the existing ranks to lead these units.
The best America can hope to grow their military forces, if authorized by Congress, is 10,000 soliders a year in absolute numbers. If Congress authorizes an additional 50,000 soldiers on the roster, it will take 5 years at least. The COSTS of that expansion is in direct relation to active military operations and the strength of the economy.... if at war, or with a good economy, raising those additional 10,000 troops a years costs more in incentives. After the initial expenditure, an American Foreign Legion would take less time and money to increase the overall size of the force.
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""Possibly some form of FEDERAL SERVICE""
some day everyone will work for the govt.
""Formation of an American Foreign Legion. Have a core of American Officers and NCO cadre, themselves taught to speak Spanish,""
in the french legion everyone learns to speak french.
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Possibly some form of FEDERAL SERVICE
Yeah, who cares what us young people WANT to do.
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Yanno LS that just gave me a great idea on how to deal with the illegal immigration problem.
You can stay and become citizens after you have served a 4 year hitch in the armed services
Instead of rounding them up and shipping them back. Or shooting them at the boarder (my first choice)
Slap em in a uniform and ship them to a far away land to fight (literally) for their right to be here.
then they will have earned it
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Originally posted by Gunslinger
OH HELL NO!
I never thaught about how bad the draft would be until just now when it occured to me that I'd be training basic training draftees.
AAAHHHHHHGGGGG!
If they draft me don't worry I can spell my name, and usually get it right. My question is if I get drafted, what am I supposed to do with my daughter?
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You would probably have a difficult time even joining voluntarily if you have a young daughter dmf. Maybe not.
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No, they'll just sit and do nothing about this darned war that Klinton got us into with his shenanigans.
KLINTON WILL BURN FOR HIS TRANSGRESSIONS@!!!!!
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Originally posted by Urchin
No, they'll just sit and do nothing about this darned war that Klinton got us into with his shenanigans.
KLINTON WILL BURN FOR HIS TRANSGRESSIONS@!!!!!
Well he didnt start any war, but he DID shave the Army by...3 divisions?
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What do you mean he didn't start the war? He trained the friggin Al Quada operatives himself in between BJs.
And I hear that Satan Klinton (oh I mean helaree) was actually FLYING one of the planes, but she jumped out and flew to the ground right as it HIT THE TOWAR!
I SWAER!
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Sarcasm isn't your forte. You should stick with things you know (like financial management).
;)
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Yea ok, that one was pretty bad :(.
I've had some really good ones in the past tho.
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Nope, you haven't.
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Originally posted by Gunslinger
OH HELL NO!
I never thaught about how bad the draft would be until just now when it occured to me that I'd be training basic training draftees.
AAAHHHHHHGGGGG!
You better train them well. I have to fight and work with them...
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Originally posted by dmf
If they draft me don't worry I can spell my name, and usually get it right. My question is if I get drafted, what am I supposed to do with my daughter?
That's a good question.
Active duty single parents have to have some sort of written plan for contingencies.
often they don't even allow single parents into the Military unless the other parent has sole custody.
My biggest question would be, in these days of equality would they draft females as well as males?
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Originally posted by john9001
""Possibly some form of FEDERAL SERVICE""
some day everyone will work for the govt.
""Formation of an American Foreign Legion. Have a core of American Officers and NCO cadre, themselves taught to speak Spanish,""
in the french legion everyone learns to speak french.
O K A Y ...appparrentlyyyy I was not veryyyy clear enough for some readerrrrssss.
The Officers and NCO's cadre would come from United States Army and Marine Units... already American soldiers from active duty service .... who would have a language specialty in spanish, in addition to their duty MOS, in orderrrr to facilitate training and command over recruits to any such American Foreign Legion, who would come from Central and South America, and who incidentally would speak.......wait for it...wait for it........Spanish.
Recruits, from Central and South American countries into any such American Foreign Legion would learn English during their enlistment; which is what I meant when I wrote:
Soldiers serve six years service, learn English, and are taught a useful military skill or given the option of off-duty training courses while serving. At the end of their enlistment, automatically given U.S. citizenship and VA benefits (probably spouses and children as well). Six years of assured work and income, medical care, education, and citizenship in return for risking military service.
Sorry for the confusion and not including pictures to follow along with.
And as to the Federal Service.... I'd prefer Federal or State Service myself, but I seriously don't see the United States Government giving up any control over an issue this big, and that service could and should also be able to take the form of work with various non-profit or aid organizations.
And all of this was in response to the original idea of the draft coming back, which is a political non-starter in it's own right.
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Originally posted by Gunslinger
My biggest question would be, in these days of equality would they draft females as well as males?
Most likely. For all the men in the field you need the people in the back running supplies and what not.
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Rangel said his legislation on the draft would also offer the alternative of a couple of years of public service with educational benefits.
For who, exactly? If everyone chooses public service, it kinda defeats the purpose of a draft with the intent of bolstering troop strength.
(Not that it will actually pass in the first place.)
It *is* kinda surprising to see the nutcases coming forward with their agendas full force so soon after the election.
"Thanks for voting for us, Pedro. You're drafted."
:lol
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Originally posted by lasersailor184
Yeah, who cares what us young people WANT to do.
Sit around all day playing video games and cruising through college with minimal exersion?
:D
Seriously, there are many countries where federal service of some sort is mandatory for most of their citizens at some point in their lifetime. It can take many forms, and considering all the problems across the America that people want their government to miraculously solve (so long as it does not effect them personally in a negative way), and the poor turn out at the election poles among young people in general, I'd support some form of mandatory service for young people to get involved at some level.
As to anyone who protests against being compelled to do anything of the sort in service to their country, their fellow citizens, or to sacrifice some of their time to help others in need along these lines..... me and my 19-1/2 years of U.S. Army, Guard, and Reserve service and 3 tours to combat zones (all called out from part-time status) are completely and totally unmoved.
My vote will be for the youngsters to serve in some compacity early in their lives.... especially if "outs" for rich kids are kept at a minimum, unlike the draft was in the 60's and 70's.
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Just remember come next election which party it was calling for a military draft.
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Sit around all day playing video games and cruising through college with minimal exersion?
I wish. It's tough being in the hardest major ever in one of the toughest engineering schools in the nation. You wouldn't know about this though.
As to anyone who protests against being compelled to do anything of the sort in service to their country, their fellow citizens, or to sacrifice some of their time to help others in need along these lines..... me and my 19-1/2 years of U.S. Army, Guard, and Reserve service and 3 tours to combat zones (all called out from part-time status) are completely and totally unmoved.
Well, hopefully you'll be called out of reserve status again. If the government plans on drafting me, I'll take up arms and dismantle it piece by piece. Running to Canada is so boring.
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Wait, and this whole time I thought you were an econ major?:rofl
Oh yea, and all you army types better look out, too!
That sum***** is INTIMIDATING, lemme tell ya!
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Originally posted by lasersailor184
Well, hopefully you'll be called out of reserve status again. If the government plans on drafting me, I'll take up arms and dismantle it piece by piece. Running to Canada is so boring.
Wow...You should be proud! How can I be more like you! :aok
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Quit sitting in front of your computers and do something FOR your country ya wussies. God forbid someone should give up ONE WHOLE YEAR to earn the rights they've inherited. Did y'all know men during WWII commited suicide when they were turned down for military service? My, my, my how things have changed.
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Not to mention a big intimdating "command voice" that he uses on people who bother him.
I tell you what, I saw a video on Youtube, it was like 15 ninjas against Lasersailor. Now, don't get my wrong, Laser is a pretty intimidating 6'4 275 lbs of pure internet muscle... but even so, against 15 ninjas I was like "oh man, this will get ugly!".
But then, he just put his hands on his hips, and slowly turned in a circle, and looked each ninja in the eye in turn.
And in turn, they fell to their knees, and cut open their OWN BELLYS!
How cool is that? And by cool I mean TOTALLY SWEET!
edit: mis-described Chuck's sensai.
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Originally posted by Urchin
I tell you what, I saw a video on Youtube, it was like 15 ninjas against Lasersailor. Now, don't get my wrong, Laser is a pretty intimidating 6'6 275" of pure internet muscle... but even so, against 15 ninjas I was like "oh man, this will get ugly!".
6'4" actually...
Quit sitting in front of your computers and do something FOR your country ya wussies.
I believe the true downfall of Modern US culture came when some ****** said, And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.
God forbid someone should give up ONE WHOLE YEAR to earn the rights they've inherited.
The only right we have inherited, as well as the only right ANYONE has, is the right to choose. This is what our forefathers gave us. It's sad that some socialists here think we should be conscripted into service of a socialist government.
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JFK is now a "******"
The right to choose was bought and paid for with blood. The least you could do is respect them instead of calling them "******"s
Then again you have the right to do the opposite of that.
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The thought up putting on running shoes must terrify you, Laser. :lol
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Running shoes? That reminds me! I need a new pair. Mine are just about shot.
JFK is now a "******"
Yup, he is. Have you ever researched JFK? I'm thinking not.
On a more serious note, I think it's funny that "buttocks-cranial-clothing" is now bleeped out. Skuzzy is moving in on my vocabulary!
The right to choose was bought and paid for with blood.
And I'll defend that right to choose. A draft or involuntary service is not defending that right to choose.
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Originally posted by USRanger
God forbid someone should give up ONE WHOLE YEAR to earn the rights they've inherited.
Yeah, the freedom to chose one's own destiny and make their way in the world. Not the slavery of being forced to work for the government like some commie peasant.
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7- Members should remember this board is aimed at a general audience. Posting pornographic or generally offensive text, images, links, etc. will not be tolerated. This includes attempts to bypass the profanity filter.
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Originally posted by Thrawn
Yeah, the freedom to chose one's own destiny and make their way in the world. Not the slavery of being forced to work for the government like some commie peasant.
"I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live." - MLK
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How about dying for yourself?
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Originally posted by cav58d
"I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live." - MLK
"Some say Cuecumbers taste batter pickled" Dave Chapell
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It's Rangel. He's been calling for a draft for years.
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Originally posted by Sandman
It's Rangel. He's been calling for a draft for years.
now the question is, will his party support him? Probably not, the democrats don't have a clue but they aint that dumb.
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Originally posted by cav58d
"I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live." - MLK
Exactly, and most people decide like MLK that a bunch of corrupt, thieving politicians and bureaucrats aren't worth dying for, or even working for. But in fact are worth fighting against. Ya know like the US's founding fathers did.
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OH HELL NO!
I never thaught about how bad the draft would be until just now when it occured to me that I'd be training basic training draftees.
AAAHHHHHHGGGGG!
Gunslinger, here's a spooky thought. Laszersailor, the Yuppie poster child, could be one of your trainees.:eek:
You could be then envy of the AH community.
Well it was a thought, I dont think he would last long enough and be able to finish basic. He probably knows that to.
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Originally posted by USRanger
Quit sitting in front of your computers and do something FOR your country ya wussies. God forbid someone should give up ONE WHOLE YEAR to earn the rights they've inherited. Did y'all know men during WWII commited suicide when they were turned down for military service? My, my, my how things have changed.
You should change your location to:
"anywhere in the world in 18 hours thanks to the American taxpayer".
It puts things into slightly better perspective on who does what and for how long for the rights they've inherited.
As for the men committing suicide during WWII, maybe they would have gotten in if they weren't mentally unstable.
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Originally posted by lasersailor184
I wish. It's tough being in the hardest major ever in one of the toughest engineering schools in the nation...
3rd best in you state (maybe)
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People are against the draft, since our government caused the needless deaths of 58,000 of our men in Vietnam. Draftee death rates were 2x as high as volunteers.
People have a pretty good handle on when our country is in a legitimate war, and when its not. Thats why there was such an influx of volunteers after 9-11. And thats why the army is struggling for recruits right now.
Plus, we all have our roles in society. Some are warriors, others workers, others intellectuals. If a mandatory government service allowed people a WIDE range of jobs (military/human services/wildlife conservation/etc), I would be for it. But forcing everyone to join the military? Nah, America is built on freedom, not forced conscription. Let me contribute in my own way.
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When our enemies are in the proportions Israel's are today, we will have mandatory military service for all just as Israel does today or we will not exist as the superpower we are today ....
Sadly, that day is swiftly approaching ...
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Please point out where I talk **** on the soldiers. You believe that my choosing not to join is talking bad about them, it is not. I respect the armed forces. It's a great way to get something for yourself at the risk of your life.
"I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live." - MLK
If you were paying attention, you would see that I've already stated that I'm willing to fight for my freedom to choose. While I'd rather not die, it could happen.
the Yuppie poster child,
Those assumptions are killers.
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The problem is that the non draft army is not vocal enough... they are way too loyal and don't do enough drugs or protest enough.
democrats want to fix that so that we know how bad war is... without the soldiers whining about how bad it is (like kerrie in vietnam) and about the "monsters" we will never get the kind of anti war protests going that were so much fun and so popular in their youth.
lazs
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Well, im safe! I turned 38 back in August AND im an only child (i do have 2 step brothers and 1 step sister)
so if there is a draft ill be one of the many protesting the govt and demanding they let you guys come home! And dont worry, ill look out for ya'lls ladies:t
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Originally posted by cav58d
I would end your life for the preservation of my beliefs...
I just hope you're not religious, cause if you are, its kinda scary for an athiest to hear that...
cause I gots no beliefs...
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Originally posted by Gunslinger
That's a good question.
Active duty single parents have to have some sort of written plan for contingencies.
often they don't even allow single parents into the Military unless the other parent has sole custody.
My biggest question would be, in these days of equality would they draft females as well as males?
Well then I guess I'll never be drafted then, because I'll be damned if my ex husband EVER gets ANY kind of custody of my daughter.
I think that in these days of equality women would be drafted, unless they found a way out of it, like getting pregnant. I don't suggest drafting women unless you want a dramatic increase of unwed mothers, some of which won't even know who the father of their child is, sad yes, but true.
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Originally posted by dmf
I don't suggest drafting women unless you want a dramatic increase of unwed mothers, some of which won't even know who the father of their child is, sad yes, but true.
You're right. Even after volunteering for service, you should see the lines of new expectant mothers at the clinic if someone says "deployment".
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I know, I live in a Navy town.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061120/ap_on_go_co/military_draft
Rangel, a veteran of the Korean War who has unsuccessfully sponsored legislation on conscription in the past, has said the all-volunteer military disproportionately puts the burden of war on minorities and lower-income families.
Looks like class warfare is a big motivator for this guy.
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Since when does a all volunteer military care about income? ok Yea people might volunteer so they can have a job, but is anybody twisting their arm to join? They chose to join and defend this country.
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Originally posted by dmf
I know, I live in a Navy town.
Navy town.... that's one of those towns where the sailors come home after a six month cruise to find their wives three months pregnant, right?
Thought I recognized the term.
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Originally posted by dmf
Since when does a all volunteer military care about income? ok Yea people might volunteer so they can have a job, but is anybody twisting their arm to join? They chose to join and defend this country.
Since the military will pay for your college. That's when.
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if your country needs you to survive, and you need your country to survive, then fight.
yes, that can be read a number of ways, pick the one that suits you.
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Originally posted by VOR
[url]Rangel, a veteran of the Korean War who has unsuccessfully sponsored legislation on conscription in the past, has said the all-volunteer military disproportionately puts the burden of war on minorities and lower-income families.
Looks like class warfare is a big motivator for this guy. [/B]
Rangel's just race baiting. He's made this claim over and over again and it's just BS. Officer's have always died at a higher rate than Enlisted and, given the percentage makeup of the military by minorities, minorities are actually dying at a lower rate than whites. His whole goal is to reignite the campus riots of the 60's.
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Originally posted by tedrbr
Navy town.... that's one of those towns where the sailors come home after a six month cruise to find their wives three months pregnant, right?
Thought I recognized the term.
Not always, sometimes their 4 months pregnant. But we have a term here for those women.
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Originally posted by lasersailor184
Since the military will pay for your college. That's when.
They actually really do that? I thought it was just another military recruiting lie.
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Just playing devil's advocate here, but it is possible to read Rangel as saying that a draft requires the whole country to understand the sacrifice and commitment required for war - and still be in favor of it. Maybe, with a draft, those who were for it before they were against it would have taken a second look before being for it in the first place.
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Originally posted by lasersailor184
6'4" actually...
I believe the true downfall of Modern US culture came when some ****** said,
At least he served his country. With yer watermelon attitude, you'll be lucky to get a career in your "Field of study". Penn State is small potatoes, not to mention your "exaggerated internet bravado which is masked by an ego, that could fit inside of a thimble".
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Originally posted by dhaus
Just playing devil's advocate here, but it is possible to read Rangel as saying that a draft requires the whole country to understand the sacrifice and commitment required for war - and still be in favor of it. Maybe, with a draft, those who were for it before they were against it would have taken a second look before being for it in the first place.
That would be the "high road" but I don't buy it from Rangel. He has continually passed on lie after lie regarding the "undue burden on minorities and low-income families" to be credible. You're interpretation is a fair and thoughtful idea but it isn't Rangel's motivation and it doesn't really bear out in reality. The large majority of the US population was "for" the Vietnam War while a tiny percentage were the ones taking to the streets. Even if 1 million protesters hit the streets that's still only around 1/3 of 1 percent of the total population. Of the protesters, a large percentage were worried about being drafted even if the probability of actually being drafted were small. In other words the self-interest of the potential draftees was an exceptionally strong motivation to protest. Even a very large protest isn't statistically significant in measuring the population's views as a whole but this is what drove many of the Vietnam War decisions. Contrast that with the all-volunteer military where the people who are serving are there because they want to be there and draftees are neither desired or required. I still think Rangel is far more interested in motivating protest than in any moral fairness.
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I respectfully disagree with your comment on the extent of the American population in favor of the Vietnam War. It was not merely the draftees, wacked out "students", or peaceniks. That is a topic for another thread. Rangel has been in favor of a draft for a long time, and does claim that the rich kids avoid military service while their fathers are all in favor of war. Just because it is class warfare, and it sounds like it, does it make it untrue? How many in Congress or the administration had sons or daughters serving? Or, like Cheney, did they have other priorities?
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5- Flamebaiting, trolling, or posting to incite or annoy is not allowed.
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How do you meaure your "betterness" to an individual?
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Originally posted by dhaus
I respectfully disagree with your comment on the extent of the American population in favor of the Vietnam War. It was not merely the draftees, wacked out "students", or peaceniks. That is a topic for another thread. Rangel has been in favor of a draft for a long time, and does claim that the rich kids avoid military service while their fathers are all in favor of war. Just because it is class warfare, and it sounds like it, does it make it untrue? How many in Congress or the administration had sons or daughters serving? Or, like Cheney, did they have other priorities?
Actually it's exceptionally untrue that politician's families are not represented in the services. Despite the propaganda promoted by Rangel and others like Michael Moore there were actually a greater percentage of "public servants" that have sons and daughters in the military than the general population. In other words it's more likely that a Congressman or Senator has a child in the military than you do. Besides, what makes you think rich kids wouldn't be able to avoid a draft? They did in Vietnam.
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4- Members should post in a way that is respectful of other users and HTC. Flaming or abusing users is not tolerated.
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It's amazing how someone can boil down all the things I wanted to say in many paragraphs into 3 simple words.
Thanks, Mace.
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i don't really get this. why the hell do we need a draft???? i mean with all the technology you'd think this should be easy. but you know it was the peoples choice for putting the dems in the house. i guess now they know why i don't vote for them. lol but seriously we have f22s and freaking super sonic bombers and picture spy planes and bombs that can go through a chimney. wtf do we need more troops for????
y'all can answer me. i really don't know
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Originally posted by ujustdied
i don't really get this. why the hell do we need a draft???? i mean with all the technology you'd think this should be easy. but you know it was the peoples choice for putting the dems in the house. i guess now they know why i don't vote for them. lol but seriously we have f22s and freaking super sonic bombers and picture spy planes and bombs that can go through a chimney. wtf do we need more troops for????
y'all can answer me. i really don't know
Eventually, you're going to have to put boots on the ground.
It's not cost effective to put a multi-million dollar weapon into a hut... and ultimately that's what war boils down to... economics.
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Originally posted by ujustdied
i don't really get this. why the hell do we need a draft???? i mean with all the technology you'd think this should be easy. but you know it was the peoples choice for putting the dems in the house. i guess now they know why i don't vote for them. lol but seriously we have f22s and freaking super sonic bombers and picture spy planes and bombs that can go through a chimney. wtf do we need more troops for????
y'all can answer me. i really don't know
I'll second the boots on the ground. Enemies of America learned from the Gulf War (the 2nd Gulf War to those from that region), and the fighting in the Balkans, that the best way to counter American technological superiority and air power is to take the fighting into the cities among the civilian population.
Among heavy populations, insurgents can hide in the open. We've got satellite imagery, aerial patrols, scouting helicopters, derigible platforms, and UAV's all operating over Baghdad and Iraq, yet insurgents can still emplace IED's to attack passing convoys every day. Munitions are transported in donkey carts and taxis and hidden within loads of produce like tomatos and watermellon.
Insurgents will nail a pipe to a tree, drop in an arty round or mortar round, set it off into a compound, then bug out. Counter-battery will return fire... killing the family in the house next to the tree. Not very good press.
Technology cannot easily spot low tech operations in heavily populated environments like these. Part of the problem we're in now was too much reliance on technology to justify keeping the initial force size low when we first went into Iraq. But jets in the sky could not stop looting on the ground after their government collapsed.
Even if you discover the location of an enemy cell, if it is next to a Mosque, or within an apartment complex, or adjacent to a school.... do you hit it with a 1,000 lb JDAM? Western powers do not believe much in carpet bombing, arc light, incediary raids, and the like any more, since WWII really and places like Dresden. They are not big on large numbers of casualties through collateral damage as an intentional act. In other words, we can't even use those high tech weapon's platforms in many cases.
Furthermore, the U.S. ordanance inventory is not all that large, when compared to WWII or Korea, or Vietnam's days. For example, Pres Clinton used up a sizable portion of the conventionaly armed cruise missiles during his two terms, to the point that nuclear-tipped cruise missiles have been rearmed with conventional warheads to make up for shortages.
You want to see what I mean? Get a few of your friends to wander around a city in AHII on the ground on foot. You circle overhead with icons turned off and try to find them. Now imagine a million other figures running around in the city among your friends. Add a few thousand vehicles. Designate two or three as VBIED's and try finding them. Take up a couple 1,000 pound bombs... hit the church in a town, but don't damage any other buildings.
And, as I stated in above, a draft is the wrong way to go, and political suicide as well, but mandated service to the country in one form or another I could support, as well as the idea of an American Foreign Legion. But to fight the "Long War", which is what the War of Terrorism is called in military circles.... rightly so.... , at a tempo that it requires also requires more troops to be used.
Using NATO troops as a suppliment does not work well. The various restrictions NATO members have placed on their troops use have hamstrung NATO efforts in Afghanistan. We've never had enough troops in Iraq to suppress the insurgency, and sending in more troops now, instead of two years ago, just reinforces claims about colonialism on our part by critics in the region. If we had to commit troops to another front or operation anywhere in the world, we will be really juggling troop numbers to come up with bodies needed.
Roughly 24% of America's GDP went into WWI, 38% to 150% of U.S. GDP (depending which numbers you use) went into WWII. About 4% of GDP goes into American defense spending now.
11.2 million servicemen fought in WWII. Over 407,000 U.S. servicemembers died in WWII. The U.S. total population at that time was 132,000,000 citizens.
Rough numbers put our current military at 2,685,000 total force numbers of which Active troops = 1,426,000 and the rest are Guard and Reserve. The nation's population is over 300,000,000 now.
America has been fighting the War on Terror longer than it fought World War II.
We, as a nation, are really not all the serious about fighting this "War on Terror" all things considered.
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Originally posted by Mace2004
4- Members should post in a way that is respectful of other users and HTC. Flaming or abusing users is not tolerated.
Hey admin, with all due respect, I disagree I was either flaming or abusing Lasersailor, I was merely refering to him as an "idiot" in it's historical Greek context:
"Idiot" was originally used in ancient Greek city-states to refer to people who were overly concerned with their own self-interest and ignored the needs of the community. Declining to take part in public life, such as (semi-)democratic government of the polis (city state), such as the Athenian democracy, was considered dishonorable. "Idiots" were seen as having bad judgment in public and political matters.
:aok :aok :aok :aok
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Gotta agree with tdrbr. Lots and lots of folks complain about the "cost" of the war but it's actually pretty cheap, cheaper than having to deal with a few more 9/11. If the government would get off it's duff and plus up the military budget (to a percentage far more approprate to the significance of the fight) we could grow the military to a sufficient size to deal with this properly wuthout a draft.
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I don't consider insults to me as flaming. I opened myself up to it.
Anyway, I was going to qualify who I was and my school to Mash, but then I realized as there was no purpose to it. Nothing would have been accomplished but to make him angry.