No Draft! See Post

College Confidential Community
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<p>I got this from the AP wire and the Star telegram quoting the Austin American -Statesman: (texas newspaper)</p>

<p>Oct. 11</p>

<p>Austin American-Statesman on the politics behind draft bill:</p>

<p>Sometimes the partisans in Congress deserve one another.</p>

<p>U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., introduced a bill sometime back that called for restoring the military draft. He didn't really want to reinstate the draft, he wanted to make a political point. The legislation which never had a chance never died officially.</p>

<p>Because it didn't die, the bill stirred Internet fears that there was a secret plan to revive the draft if President Bush is re-elected Nov. 2. The Alliance for Security, a Washington-based project that aims to establish a dialogue about national security, reported recent survey results which showed more than half of those polled voiced concern that the United States could be headed for a draft "in the near future."</p>

<p>Rock the Vote, a group dedicated to motivating apathetic young voters, recently sent e-mails to 640,000 college-aged people featuring a fake conscription card emblazoned with the words: "You have been drafted."</p>

<p>The draft rumor suited Democrats just fine, so they were dismayed when House Republicans brought the bill up for a vote and killed it. The Republicans did not kill it because it was what Texas Legislative types call "a bad ol' bill." The motivation wasn't the hapless 18-year-olds who would be caught in a draft, but the 57-year-old fellow who now lives in the White House. The Internet rumors were perceived to be a threat to Bush's re-election prospects.</p>

<p>So, House Republicans brought up for a vote a bill they had ignored for months with little notice. Democrats crabbed that the bill came up with no hearings and no discussion. Neither made much mention of the fate of American youth.</p>

<p>Actually, there is a serious discussion to be had here about mandatory national service, but Rangel's bill wasn't the vehicle for it. Anyone who expected serious discourse on such a sensitive topic this close to an election should send us post cards from that alternate universe they inhabit.</p>

<p>Speaking of alternate universes, Rangel sputtered his outrage about the GOP parliamentary maneuver even as he urged his colleagues to vote against his own bill. "It is so darn hypocritical for the Congress to come forward and put a (controversial) bill on the suspension calendar. It's a shame that . . . this legislative body is being used as a political tool on the eve of elections."</p>

<p>This from the fellow who introduced a bill not because he wanted to reinstate the draft, but to send a message about the disproportionate number of minorities serving in the armed forces.</p>

<p>Serious issues, all right, but they are not going to get a serious discussion in this atmosphere. Good riddance to Rangel's draft bill.</p>

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<p>Captain Logic says it is not logical to believe the President intends to implement a draft when the only bills suggesting this were offered by Democrats. Those who believe the President wants a draft should be forced to walk the plank. </p>

<p>Captured by aliens -- forced to eat Wild Duck.</p>

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<p>"U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., introduced a bill sometime back that called for restoring the military draft. He didn't really want to reinstate the draft, he wanted to make a political point."</p>

<p><em>Sigh</em> CaptainLogic, I wish you would read the above article carefully. The Democrats don't want a draft any more than the Republicans do. But with this reckless Republican we have as president, it's not surprising that troops are spread thin and so few want to re-enlist.</p>

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<p>Captain Logic believes it is not logical to attempt to implement legislation that you oppose. This would be like the Captain making a crewman walk the plank when the Captain did not wish the crewman to die. Democrats have not behaved logically. The Republicans behaved logically by voting down the bill and making Rangel look like a fool and a loser (not to mention a whiner). </p>

<p>nlkrueger believes "troops are spread thin and so few want to re-enlist." Kerry wishes to add two new divisions, if he is President. If what nlkrueger says is true, it would be logical to believe Kerry intends to implement a draft. Captain Logic believes that it would be logical for the Republicans to oppose an attempt by Kerry to implement the draft. </p>

<p>Captain Logic wishes nlkrueger would apply logic.</p>

<p>Captured by aliens -- forced to eat Wild Duck.</p>

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<p>don't forget that kerry wants to go POOF! and double the size of the special forces too</p>

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<p>Songman, just one thing and a link to add to your post. The bill was introduced 21 months ago according to the link.You are correct that it was introduced for political reasons but it was done way before the election season and more as a response to the war. It is a site dedicated to find the facts or lack thereof in rumors and urban legends. The first thing the link shows is the misinformation, followed by the facts. <a href="http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/draft.asp%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/draft.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>"nlkrueger believes 'troops are spread thin and so few want to re-enlist.'"
Right.</p>

<p>"Kerry wishes to add two new divisions, if he is President."
Yes.</p>

<p>"If what nlkrueger says is true, it would be logical to believe Kerry intends to implement a draft."
I disagree. Kerry intends to increase troops through recruitment, not a draft. It wouldn't be logical for Kerry to openly state his opposition to a draft and then make a promises that could only be fulfilled through a draft. Flip-flop jokes aside, Kerry isn't that dumb.</p>

<p>"Captain Logic believes that it would be logical for the Republicans to oppose an attempt by Kerry to implement the draft."
Indeed it would. That's why I've previously stated that it would be best to have Kerry in the White House with a Republican Congress. The disagreements of the parties would severely decrease the chance of a draft being implemented.</p>

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<p>Uhhhhh I have no idea what you're talking about, Captain "Logic". It all sounds like partisan ranting to me.</p>

<p>Seriously.</p>

<p>The bill's purpose was NOT to actually get a draft going - Rangel's intent was to sober the Congress and let them realize what the ultimate result of going to war could be. Just to make them think about it a little harder.</p>

<p>That's all.</p>

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<p>"Uhhhhh I have no idea what you're talking about, Captain "Logic". It all sounds like partisan ranting to me."</p>

<p>Almost everything in the Cafe is partisan ranting, in case you didn't know before</p>

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<p>"Rangel's intent was to sober the Congress and let them realize what the ultimate result of going to war could be. Just to make them think about it a little harder."</p>

<p>how could u be so nieve. this bill was introduced to make it look like bush and other republicans want a draft to occur. people are still claiming that bush will reinstate a draft. if bush reinstated a draft, popular support for war in iraq would plung, bush and other republicans would be in political shambles, and i wouldnt be suprised if they tried to impeach bush. The only way i can see a draft anytime soon would be big problems in the axis of evil.</p>

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<p>I highly doubt Bush would enact a draft either, unless we end up going to war with Iran or North Korea, which in itself is highly unlikely.</p>

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<p>Captain Logic believes Kerry will seek to implement a draft in order to add two new divisions as he promised. Kerry thinks Bush will need to implement a draft because Bush has too few troops. But Bush has no intention to adding two more divisions. If Bush has no intention of adding two divisions, but Kerry thinks Bush will need to draft, it is not logical for Kerry to believe he can add two divisions without a draft. Thus, Kerry will implement the draft to keep his promise to add two divisions.</p>

<p><a href="http://apnews.myway.com/article/20041015/D85O5T5G0.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://apnews.myway.com/article/20041015/D85O5T5G0.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Captured by aliens -- forced to eat Wild Duck.</p>

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<p>I'm not feeling this third person talking.</p>

<p>All I have to say is that I am damn glad I am female, because the draft is just another form of slavery (if you want to get extreme about it).</p>

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<p>Soldiers angered by 'unfair' Iraq call-ups---the back door draft</p>

<p><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3600934.stm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3600934.stm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>Myway, the draft bill was for males and females.</p>