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Anti-war activists fear revival of selective service

By MIKE BILLINGTON / The News Journal

02/17/2005

There may come a day when Uncle Sam wants Wayne Flenniken for the U.S. Army.

In many ways, he's an ideal candidate for military service. At 15, he already has finished high school and is enrolled at Delaware Technical & Community College studying Spanish and English. There is a problem, however. Wayne doesn't want any part of Uncle Sam's Army - or anyone else's, for that matter.

"I don't believe in war and I don't like the military in any way, shape or form," he said. "I don't think anyone should be forced to die prematurely."

That's why he went to a draft resistance training session Friday in his hometown of Newark. It's why Wayne has begun building his case as a conscientious objector.

The United States no longer has a military draft and hasn't since 1973, when it converted to an all-volunteer military.

But some anti-war activists say it's only a matter of time before the Bush administration and the Republican-controlled Congress bring it back. Meanwhile, conservatives and moderates outside the administration have taken a hard look at America's military commitments and are urging Congress to beef up the Army and Marines.

Many elected officials say there is no way the draft will be brought back any time soon.

"Our current all-volunteer force is highly effective, well-trained, well-disciplined and capable of handling our global and national security commitments," said Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del. "[Defense] Secretary [Donald] Rumsfeld and the Joint Chiefs of Staff have continuously stated their opposition to reviving the draft and the House of Representatives overwhelmingly rejected such a proposal last year. I personally oppose it."

Others aren't so certain.

"I don't see the need for a draft, but we need to prepare now in order to avoid having one forced on us in the future," said Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del. "We can reduce the stress we are placing on our armed forces by increasing the number of ground troops in the Army and Marine Corps and bringing the size of our military in line with our expanded responsibilities in a post-9/11 world," he said.

More: http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjourn ... milit.html

If I were the PM in Britain, I would call up all those aged 16 and over to do at least five year army & naval service.

capt_buzzard wrote: If I were the PM in Britain, I would call up all those aged 16 and over to do at least five year army & naval service.


If you did that, would there be civil unrest?

I think as PM,I could handle that. Its called putting the boot in someplace:D

"Let me introduce you to your new PM and his big size 12!"

I took notes from Maggie T. Whatever happened to National Service?

There's a lot to be said for that.

few things i dislike more than goody-two-shoes hand-wringing about that which doesn't exist.

'inevitable'. mmm. whatever.

As shaggy would say "Zoiks, Scoob!"

I've been kinda worried about that. Actually, since I'm in the inactive reserves, I should really be worried.

But I'd hate to see my son called up, he's got two daughters.

Personally, I guess I'm for military service for young men. It certainly straightened my head out and gave me some self discipline. Self-confidence too. After you've been through boot camp (or field training camp as the USAF calls it) you can always tell yourself, "Well, I did that!"

But dying for your country should always be the very, very last resort. I understood Afghanistan they had the bloody Taliban, but somehow I felt that Saudi Arabia was the worse culprit for 9/11.

(I actually trained some of the Iraqi pilots that were shot down by the American pilots I also trained. Ironic, eh?)

anastrophe wrote: few things i dislike more than goody-two-shoes hand-wringing about that which doesn't exist.

'inevitable'. mmm. whatever.


"Read My Lips, No New Taxes." George Sr.

"There Will Be No Draft." George Jr.

Waiting for "like father, like son."

NO Draft, I go along with that. But the kids need some discipline. I done my five years service and I loved every day of it. It gives a youth self confidence and self respect.