Mandatory Millitary Service bill..

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A Democratic lawmaker said Sunday he will introduce a bill in the next session of Congress to make military service mandatory.

 

Rep. Charles Rangel, D-New York, said such legislation could make members of Congress more reluctant to authorize military action.

 

"I'm going to introduce legislation to have universal military service to let everyone have an opportunity to defend the Free World against the threats coming to us," Rangel said on CNN's "Late Edition."

 

"I'm talking about mandatory service."

 

The Korean War veteran has accused the Bush administration and some fellow lawmakers of being too willing to go to war with Iraq.

 

In October, he voted against a joint resolution authorizing military action against Iraq. It passed 296-133 in the House and 77-23 in the Senate.

 

"When you talk about a war, you're talking about ground troops, you're talking about enlisted people, and they don't come from the kids and members of Congress," he said.

 

"I think, if we went home and found out that there were families concerned about their kids going off to war, there would be more cautiousness and a more willingness to work with the international community than to say, 'Our way or the highway.'"

 

Rangel did not provide specifics of his proposal.

 

The logic behind this is baffling..

 

I smell the draft making a return..

[Guest MrRant]

It's called playing the political game. Just another case of a Democrat (or Republican) being an ass because whomever is in charge is in another party.

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

Yeah, and you know it won't get passed, but it still is quite baffling that they would go as far as to say that they want the draft back to stop the war..

[Guest NoCalMike]

I see his minute angle on this, and where he is coming from, however there are better ways to argue this than to introduce a bill. Hell, just go listen to CCR's "Fortunate Son" for starters.

[Guest Samurai_Goat]

You know, if they really are worried about everybody being war-happy, why not make a law that says that, if there's war, all of congress must be front line infantry? Then, I don't have to go anywhere, and I get to laugh at the idea of congress in basic.

[Guest red_file]

Hell, just go listen to CCR's "Fortunate Son" for starters.

I've always wondered why Fogerty didn't catch more flack for the hypocrisy of that song. I mean, in the end, he did end up as a fortunate son.

 

Anyway, as for the original point, I can't see how an actual draft would even be passed, let alone a mandatory military service bill. America has determined that the only type of war it is willing to wage is one in which America lives are not lost (comprising mostly of bombing raids), so it doesn't seem likely that any member of Congress would want to piss off the American public by voting for such a thing.

 

Meaningless political posturing.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

I think Fogerty was in the Army. He was done before he had to go to Vietnam.

[Guest red_file]

I think Fogerty was in the Army. He was done before he had to go to Vietnam.

No. He was drafted into the army during the height of Viet Nam and was more than likely going to be shipped out to die. His wife somehow convinced a ranking official to change his enlistment from army to national guard so that he wouldn't have to go. So, much like the "millionaire sons," he was a fortunate one. Granted, it's not entirely the same situation, but when you've written a protest song about how the poor are cannon fodder, it's more than a little hypocritical that you yourself wormed your way out of that fate. I'm not saying he was wrong (hell, I'd've shown up for enlistment in drag if it'd get me out of it), just that it's always struck me as strange that he never got any flack for it.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

No way the draft's coming back. It's not necessary.

[Guest bob_barron]

I hate Charles Rangel- he's like Al Sharpton and Jessie except that he has an actual congressional seat

[Guest DrTom]

This isn't the draft he's talking about. It's mandatory military service, probably of 2-4 years, much like Israel has. Quite obviously, this is something that isn't going to pass, and looks like more political posturing. The draft won't return because we simply have no need for it.

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

This is merely a political move made by that politician who wants to get the other senators to think twice before engaging in military action. It has no real support and likely wont get any votes other than his own.

[Guest Retro Rob]

No way the draft's coming back. It's not necessary.

Exactly. This is just more political bullshit.

[EL DANDY~! 0]

We have like what...5 Million people in our military service? I mean, shit. We could like GIVE another country a million people and they still couldn't do it. No draft is necessary. 9/11 gave people more than enough reason to join.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

This isn't the draft he's talking about. It's mandatory military service

 

Uh, what's the difference? Either way, I shouldn't be forced into some barracks with a bunch of other conscripts, taking time away from college, work, etc.

[Guest hardyz1]

"I ain't fighting"

The wise words of modern day philosopher Chris Rock.

[Guest Eagan469]

I'm 17 *cries*

[Guest AnnieEclectic]

I'm quite liberal, and agree usually with the Democratic party. That said:

 

what a stupid fuck.

 

That bill is the reason this next phrase exists:

 

"Cutting off our nose to spite our face"

 

 

Although it seems like the plan for the bill isn't even to get -passed-. Which should be scarier because if it's not meant to pass, it will.

 

-Annie

[Guest DrTom]

Uh, what's the difference?

The difference is that the draft is only enacted in times of need, while mandatory military service requires that all men serve a certain number of years in the military, regardless of need. The interruption of things like college will be one of the primary reasons this monumentally stupid idea never sees the light of day. Israel needs mandatory military service: they're surrounded by people who would love to destroy them, and they're forced to fight an internecine war over lands they own. America has no such concerns.

[Guest Ace309]

If, through some twisted logic and gunpoint votebuying, this bill got passed...

 

well, let's just put it this way. I'd leave the University at Buffalo and probably end up three hours north in the University of Guelph.

[Guest EricMM]

Holy shit, is this like my Roman Military post from days of yore?

 

I wasn't serious!!! Someone get F K Teale to send this senator something like only F K Teale can