I agree although my reasoning is different from yours. However, since we are off topic anyway, let me propose a hypothetical question. With the unpopularity of the current war and the current administration, let's imagine that the military could not even recruit enough qualified personel to maintain even the bare minimum to mount a defense in the event of an attack. What would be your solution?

 

Well, first, I think that we need to figure out a way to get out of Iraq, with the resources we already have committed there. I'm not saying just suddenly pull out, but somehow shift the focus (which I believe is what we are currently trying to do).

 

Secondly, there shouldn't be a need to rely on a draft, as although one soldier's life is too much, IMO, there aren't massive casualties on par with what we saw in VietNam.

 

Thirdly, there is no way, ever, in a bazillion years, I would support the re-institution of a compulsary draft in the United States.

I don't have a problem with Ali's draft evasion IF he had served his time in prison. As far as I know, he never served a day of his 5 year sentence.

Well, first, I think that we need to figure out a way to get out of Iraq, with the resources we already have committed there. I'm not saying just suddenly pull out, but somehow shift the focus (which I believe is what we are currently trying to do).

 

Secondly, there shouldn't be a need to rely on a draft, as although one soldier's life is too much, IMO, there aren't massive casualties on par with what we saw in VietNam.

 

Thirdly, there is no way, ever, in a bazillion years, I would support the re-institution of a compulsary draft in the United States.

 

Good answer, but it's my scenario and in it none of the above applies. The question remains, and it's open to anyone not just RM, if the situation arises where we can no longer field an effective volunteer military, should we reinstate the draft or just hope for the best?

 

Of course, I expect the answer to be reinstate the draft. I'm actually being a bit facitious here to make a point about just how important those who do choose to serve are to our way of life.

 

By the way, I think Ali is a great man but for what he brought to his sport, not his political views.

I can agree with part of that.

 

Given time Sadam Hussien would've been in Bin Laden's pocket.

There was documented proof that Alq. was meeting with one of Sadam's right hand men. They had been frequenting in and out of Iraq for sometime.

 

But I guess we all have a different take on all of this-

 

I do agree with Rockmom that we have spent too much time in Iraq.

This is taking too long. It started out impressive. I don't like having troops

on the ground over there fighting people that can't even be identified as an Iraqi or a terrorist.

 

I am sure Hillary will come up with a better stradegy?

I am a Christian and I think I would be a conscientious objector. My Jesus teaches me to love my enemy and to pray for those who persecute me.

Good answer, but it's my scenario and in it none of the above applies. The question remains, and it's open to anyone not just RM, if the situation arises where we can no longer field an effective volunteer military, should we reinstate the draft or just hope for the best?

I guess I can't see that ever being the case in the United States. We do well with our all-volunteer method of military.

 

Of course, I expect the answer to be reinstate the draft. I'm actually being a bit facitious here to make a point about just how important those who do choose to serve are to our way of life.

 

I in no way disagree with the importance of those who serve. However, I do not diminish the importance of those who choose not to serve, for whatever reason. This country was founded on some very basic principles, principles that were and are unique. This country values personal freedom, religious freedom, freedome from persecution. To me, calling someone a coward because they avoided the draft by filing CO is dangerously close to a basic level of persecution. It's not overt persecution, but Ali, as an example, suffered 3 years loss of his career in his prime. We can agree to disagree on whether or not his CO objection was legitimate. But, I can't think of any other person who was banned from his job because he registered as CO. I also wonder if those who object to Ali's pursuit of CO exemption also feel all who registered CO or enrolled in college, or had daddy pull political strings are cowards as well?

 

By the way, I think Ali is a great man but for what he brought to his sport, not his political views.

 

Fair enough.

So, how do you feel about people who choose not to join the military now that there's no longer a draft?

 

In the end, IMO, the institution of a draft was, is, and always a bad idea. These days, no one is called a coward or accused of shirking their duty because they don't join the military and go to fight in Iraq. Those who have their reasons not to are simply not known. No one should be forced to fight in any war, much less one to which they feel morally opposed. I simply can't fathom why there are still people who feel that those who didn't want to fight in Viet Nam, for whatever reason, were some sort of traitors. If hindsight has taught us that the draft was not a good idea, shouldn't it stand to reason that those who opposed the draft were not anything more than Americans fighting for their own rights?

No, but a draft is not necessary today. There have been, and I am sure there will be again, conflicts in our history that require conscription. I will believe whole heartedly that anyone who shirks their duty under such circumstances is a coward. I also believe that the day in which a greater number of our society choose to do things such as CO during war time will be the day that we lose our place of power within the world. Of course, what do I have as an example? Just every other great society that has fallen throughout world history once their citizens have become to lazy to fight due to an over emphasized sense of personal entitlement.

Personally, I think every 18 year old should be subject to some kind of government service. Either military or somethng along the lines of the Peace Corps work.

No, but a draft is not necessary today. There have been, and I am sure there will be again, conflicts in our history that require conscription. I will believe whole heartedly that anyone who shirks their duty under such circumstances is a coward. I also believe that the day in which a greater number of our society choose to do things such as CO during war time will be the day that we lose our place of power within the world. Of course, what do I have as an example? Just every other great society that has fallen throughout world history once their citizens have become to lazy to fight due to an over emphasized sense of personal entitlement.

 

First, I agree in part, with your last statement. Historically speaking, societal corruption has ended all the great societies. It wasn't just the lack of fighting.

 

Secondly, to make sure I'm clear...you are essentially of the mind that if a draft becomes necessary, there is no reason whatsoever that someone should be excluded?

 

I have other questions, but they kind of stem on what your answer to my question is.

For those who are truly COs, would a viable option be medical personel, corpsmen, clerks, or any of a number of non combat jobs? Is the objection really to fighting or the military in general? Would it be against there beliefs to act in support of those who do combat?

For those who are truly COs, would a viable option be medical personel, corpsmen, clerks, or any of a number of non combat jobs? Is the objection really to fighting or the military in general? Would it be against there beliefs to act in support of those who do combat?

 

That's a good question, and a reasonable compromise, IMO.

Personally, I think every 18 year old should be subject to some kind of government service. Either military or somethng along the lines of the Peace Corps work.

 

HHS, I absolutely have no problem with the Peace Corps solution.

 

IMO, a lot of misconceptions about life, and a genuine appreciation for the American way of life will open a lot of young people's eyes to the reality that as bad as they may think they have it, it's not even close to the worst in the world.

That's a good question, and a reasonable compromise, IMO.

 

 

Even with the understanding that although they would not be asked to do battle, they would still be deployed to combat zones and thus subject to dangerous situations? I suspect it would separate the true COs from the cowards immediately.

I also wonder if those who object to Ali's pursuit of CO exemption also feel all who registered CO or enrolled in college, or had daddy pull political strings are cowards as well?

 

An excellent, excellent question! :thumb:

An excellent, excellent question! :thumb:

 

Why, thank you!

 

I wonder if it'll get answered? :sssh: