General Discussion

Lasher

(29,576 posts)

27. I am opposed to the draft.

Sun Mar 18, 2012, 02:40 PM

Mar 2012

I was drafted in 1969. The average draftee who stayed on to become a lifer was not one of the sharpest knives in the drawer. On the other hand, the '2 years and out' crowd had less time to develop skills. Further, we were less committed to the job of soldiering. If you have ever seen a veterinarian give a pill to a cat, you can imagine how I related to military life.

Drafting people to discourage war is like fucking to promote virginity. The Vietnam Era draft did none of the positive things you say it would do today.

You say the poor and minorities are less able to avoid the draft than other segments of our society. But you don't think it unfairly targets them? The inconvenience and aggravation of getting a deferment is not equal to two years of slavery as an enlisted person.

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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