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Johnny Rico

(1,438 posts)

22. Robert A. Heinlein on the draft:

Sun Mar 18, 2012, 12:01 PM

Mar 2012

I also think there are prices too high to pay to save the United States. Conscription is one of them. Conscription is slavery, and I don't think that any people or nation has a right to save itself at the price of slavery for anyone, no matter what name it is called. We have had the draft for twenty years now; I think this is shameful. If a country can't save itself through the volunteer service of its own free people, then I say: Let the damned thing go down the drain!

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Sunday mouthpieces all say too many tours in war zone is bad, but none admit we need a draft. [View all] CK_John Mar 2012 OP

Or you could simply bring the troops home and end the war MadHound Mar 2012 #1

IMO, Any war requires a draft, CK_John Mar 2012 #3

No wars, no draft, no war machine Magoo48 Mar 2012 #23

Fuck the draft. End the war machine. Peace is here if you want it. Warren Stupidity Mar 2012 #2

damn right newfie11 Mar 2012 #16

+1000000 woo me with science Mar 2012 #18

No one wants a draft, Lurks Often Mar 2012 #4

I doubt this one would not have lasted over 10yr with a draft in place. nt CK_John Mar 2012 #6

Why? What would having a draft in place done to stop the current wars? Serious question. uppityperson Mar 2012 #42

People protested back in 2002-2004, then OrwellwasRight Mar 2012 #45

I support a draft but only when tied to a progressive and harsh war tax TheKentuckian Mar 2012 #11

Well put. Thanks. russspeakeasy Mar 2012 #13

There never has been and never will be a "fair and universal" draft. shraby Mar 2012 #5

Society needs to insure a draft is fair. Why would it not? CK_John Mar 2012 #8

To think it possible, is to believe in fairies. The people who shraby Mar 2012 #10

er - because it never has in the history of human civilization and military conscription? Warren Stupidity Mar 2012 #17

Why not ensure that wars are not started or continue for bs reasons instead? uppityperson Mar 2012 #43

I've done a 180 on the draft - I was against it xchrom Mar 2012 #7

A cynic would suggest that after "many, many years" lumberjack_jeff Mar 2012 #19

yes, i think loopholes need to be closed -- if one can't do military service xchrom Mar 2012 #24

In vietnam we had a nearly all draft military Muskypundit Mar 2012 #29

Most of what I am hearing butterfly77 Mar 2012 #9

President Obama has made Afghanistan his war - he owns it. sad sally Mar 2012 #38

One tour is bad. dkf Mar 2012 #12

What if people are only drafted from congressional districts of politicians that voted for the war? Ian David Mar 2012 #14

K&R. It's remarkable that people aren't OK with privatization Ron Green Mar 2012 #15

false dichotomy. Warren Stupidity Mar 2012 #20

I disagree. As long as it's exclusive to those who've been Ron Green Mar 2012 #26

Now you are just conflating privatize with volunteer. Warren Stupidity Mar 2012 #28

Sounds good to me. amandabeech Mar 2012 #46

They are doing it by not creating jobs MiniMe Mar 2012 #21

Robert A. Heinlein on the draft: Johnny Rico Mar 2012 #22

Of course, Heinlein also believed that the franchise should be restricted to those who served. 11 Bravo Mar 2012 #35

That was one book out of dozens, and it was fiction. Johnny Rico Mar 2012 #37

Heinlein spoke at the Naval Academy when my brother was a midshipman (USNA '74). 11 Bravo Mar 2012 #49

I joined in the first generation of the "all-volunteer" force (1982). bluedigger Mar 2012 #25

I am opposed to the draft. Lasher Mar 2012 #27

Your experience actually make my case stronger, Lasher. bluedigger Mar 2012 #33

I took no exception to what you said, up until the last paragraph. Lasher Mar 2012 #47

I was with you right up to "a draft would deter dellicosity". Warren Stupidity Mar 2012 #30

I meant it would discourage, not prevent war. bluedigger Mar 2012 #31

It didn't discourage anything. Warren Stupidity Mar 2012 #32

Plenty of men or women looking to get into the military itsrobert Mar 2012 #34

Aside from manpower, a draft would engage the public much more than now. CK_John Mar 2012 #36

Plus, all those extra drafted privates would ensure no career soldier is forced into retirement. Lasher Mar 2012 #48

We don't need a draft. It always hits the young poor minorities the most. Jennicut Mar 2012 #39

That's because any politician with even a half a brain liberalhistorian Mar 2012 #40

No. We don't. Why would ANYONE assume they would pass a "fair and universal draft"? Why spend uppityperson Mar 2012 #41

Drafts suck and I'm glad there won't be another. JVS Mar 2012 #44

We can't afford a fair draft hack89 Mar 2012 #50

The draft amount can easily be controled via the lottery method which was much CK_John Mar 2012 #51

We have no problem getting 1.5 million volunteers right now. hack89 Mar 2012 #53

I was very young during WWII but some amazing things were done within 2-3 yrs. CK_John Mar 2012 #55

With much higher casualty rates. hack89 Mar 2012 #56

Yes and yes, remember you are dealing with a small percentage of about 5-8% CK_John Mar 2012 #57

A draft in 2012 will have to include both young men and young women. nt Romulox Mar 2012 #52

I agree, but it would be hard to get thru any Congress, but I still think it should be proposed CK_John Mar 2012 #54