Wayne Besen - Author, Activist, Columnist, Public Speaker

Monday, November 20, 2006

Charles Rangel, the incoming Democratic chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee said yesterday that he will push to renew the military draft.

"There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq, especially on the flimsy evidence that was presented to the Congress, if indeed we had a draft and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids from their communities would be placed in harm's way," said Rangel, a Korean War veteran. "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."

I happen to agree with Rangel for two reasons. The first, he articulated quite eloquently. Bush might not have been so cavalier with the lives of our servicemen and women if the Bush twins were on their way to the desert.

The second reason is that the American armed forces should look like America. We should have a military staffed with liberals and conservatives, rich and poor. Right now the military relies too heavily on poor white conservative Christian southerners. This makes me very uneasy and it is unhealthy for a diverse nation.

It is time to bring back the draft.

14 Comments:

Those are two excellent reasons. I believe there is a third: The military is currently stretched to the breaking point. If the US is going to persist in these endless wars of choice, we need more troops, the all-volunteer Army isn't enough. Of course, forcing people to serve is going to fundamentally change the character of the military and make it something far less disciplined.
posted by Sam, at 11/20/2006 10:18 AM

It also relies too heavily on the 'poverty draft', i.e., poor blacks and Hispanics who see no other avenue of advancement except the military. Deferments ought to be few and far between. But conscientious objection ought to be an option for those who object to a particular war; not just to all war.

Finally, 'don't ask, don't tell' will have to scrapped. If the Israelis and the British can do it, so can we.
posted by Anonymous, at 11/20/2006 10:32 AM

"The second reason is that the American armed forces should look like America."

Gee, and I always thought the military should be designed for winning wars and for defending our nation.

Silly me.

P.S. The physically disabled are "part of America" too -- should they also be drafted?
posted by KipEsquire, at 11/20/2006 10:41 AM

Well the military is made up of Americans who have limited opportunities because of economics and finances. It has always been a good way to keep off poverty and death. After all, you get food , shelter and medical treatment. It's not just dumb white southerners. My cousin is in the army. His mom did not want him in the house and so he joined up. And if you'll notice the percentage of children in the military to statesmen is very, very low.
posted by Anonymous, at 11/20/2006 12:22 PM

I agree Regan. Illegal aliens have come to this country (invaded) and are now demanding our rights!!!
Silly me. And black americans have shown great honor and nobility in defending this nation and making it a place they can also call home!! But these illegal aliens - hispanic, chinese, irish - do not care where they are from - are not contributing.
posted by Anonymous, at 11/20/2006 12:27 PM

If this war is really about our national security and protecting US citizens from terrorism, then the population should have been mobilized in a draft from the very beginning. I can't believe Americans were stupid enough to accept that a global war (which is what a "war on terrorism" amounts to) could or should be fought on the backs of Army reservists and National Guard recruits. What happens if we need those troops to defend the homefront, and they're on the other side of the world? Oh yeah, I forgot . . . engaging terrorism in Iraq means that we'll never, ever have to worry about fighting terrorists on our own shores, right?
posted by DC HAMPTON JACOBS, at 11/20/2006 2:02 PM

I totally disagree with bringing back the draft for many reasons. Lets not forget that gays and lesbians were not allowed to serve openly during the Vietnam war when we had conscription and still can't in that abominable war in Iraq, so what makes people think by bringing back the draft would mean an eradication of don't ask don't tell? I don't see it happening.

Robert, NYC.
posted by Anonymous, at 11/20/2006 2:30 PM

a military draft will take care of the illegal immigrant problem instantly.....donal
posted by Anonymous, at 11/20/2006 3:44 PM

I really doubt that having the draft would much sway the supporters of the war. Those who are idealogically disposed to support the war in Iraq probably would think of their children as heros first and casulaties second. There's a reason that there are "military families".

However I do think the draft would have an interesting impact on don't-ask-don't-tell. In the 70's anti-gay sentiments (even among "liberals" and anti-war activists) was pretty strong. It was such a stigma to be thought of as gay that straight guys would rather go to Canada than use the gay excuse to avoid going to Viet Nam.

I think that stigma is less prevalent now. I don't think many guys would hesitate to tell their friends, "Dude, I just told them I'm gay and they let me go" rather than go die in Iraq (Canada is no longer an option).

I'm pretty sure that if I were a 17 year old facing the draft and the prospect of going to Iraq (or Iran or Syria) to fight this global "War on Terror", I'd be quick to join my local gay-straight alliance. It would come in handy when signing up for the draft the following year.
posted by Timothy Kincaid, at 11/20/2006 3:48 PM

"The second reason is that the American armed forces should look like America." That's a really great reason. Maybe the army should make a point out of forcing obese people to join - that will make the armed forces look a whole lot more like America.
posted by Anonymous, at 11/21/2006 12:49 AM

The question of there being a military draft has become moot now that Nancy Pelosi has stated it's "off the table" as a Democratic initiative. However, if the Hamilton/Baker commission recommends troop increases in Iraq, and there's to be no draft to facilitate that troop increase, they'll have no choice but to look at increasing the number of allied forces. That'll be a tough sell to our allies. While the USA tries to convince other countries to take up the slack in an unpopular conflict, retaining troops becomes more important than ever before, and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" makes less sense than ever before. It may be our best opportunity yet to do away with that absurd policy. ILGA and other Gay organizations could slam home the point that the US military can't ask other nations to fill the gap for them when they're busy widening it by discharging capable American soldiers for unjustifiable reasons.
posted by DC HAMPTON JACOBS, at 11/21/2006 11:25 AM

off topic: good aricle that someone sent me on religion and homosex.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2006-11-19-forum-religion_x.htm
posted by Anonymous, at 11/22/2006 9:12 AM

No. None of you remember the draft. And given the nature of this President, and his desire the hasten the second coming of God, and his belief that America is a Christian nation, and that all patriots go to heaven...why should we go to war all over the planet? We don't need more war. We need less war. GWB got sucked into Iraq by Iran's backroom chess game. Since our President doesn't know chess aned since he's playing with the people who invented the game, why should we, as gay people, support any policies that include war? I hate terrorists just as much as anybody, but we didn't go after terrorists. GWB went after Saddam because he plotted to kill GHWB, daddy. Draft? You don't remember the problems we had in this country with a draft. Bull.
No draft. Period. Let the poor and rich white Southerners die for their country. Until we some equality around here, screw the policies of the US and The President of the US...and any Congressman who is a stupid as Rangel. What was good for Korea, which he fought in, is not good for the US now!!!
posted by Anonymous, at 11/23/2006 3:44 AM

I agree with you, Jane. I don't want my kids to be drafted.
posted by jekelhyde, at 11/30/2006 8:45 PM