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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (46750)	9/24/2002 8:35:22 PM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

It is supposed to "Improve their Character," I guess. What nonsense! I did wonder why the article advocated reinstating the draft. Rumsfeld is adamantly opposed to the draft. He is one of the original promoters of the all voluntary military. My husband works for the feds, and it's not a bad gig. The pay isn't as good as private industry, but the benefits are good. Job security, good retirement, paid holidays, paid vacations. Why should the military be any different? We sure don't need the draft for Iraq. Maybe (probably) for World War III. I guess it's hard to treat career civil servants as if they were cannon fodder, but is that so bad?

To: LindyBill who wrote (46750)	9/24/2002 9:17:50 PM
From: jcky	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Unfair question, jcky. Do I want to send MY child into a war? Of course not, no honest parent would say yes. We have a volunteer Military. They know what they signed up for. What is so unfair about asking a tough question? Sending young American men and women into potential harm for questionable benefits to this country is just one of the many relevant questions which should be addressed. There is way too much chest thumping and not enough reflective thinking in this country right now. Yes, we do have a volunteer military who have signed up knowing very well the risks they are taking. But this does not detract from the fact that these brave and honorable men and women in uniform should represent our country well and fight a just war. The volunteer militia is also composed of sons and daughters of Americans, not Israelis. They are not replaceable machine parts. Since you printed Smith's article, I guess you are in favor of getting back into a "Slave" situation, where people are forced to work for the Government. It is supposed to "Improve their Character," I guess. What nonsense! So I guess you would consider the mandatory draft of Israeli conscripts a "slave" situation and such nonsense.

To: LindyBill who wrote (46750)	9/24/2002 10:03:53 PM
From: Neenny	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 281500

Are Americans willing to send their children into Iraq for combat? *Unfair question, jcky. Do I want to send MY child into a war? Of course not, no honest parent would say yes.* JCKY, and Bill, I think that question is totally fair. But I don't agree with Bill's feelings that no honest parent would want to send their child. I believe there are some parents that may not "want" to send their child, but are willing to accept the need for their child to go. <Meaning that I think the word "want" is the wrong word,> I am willing to bet that there might be a stronger sentiment towards that feeling in Military household, where duty and honor to country go hand in hand. In homes where the value of American freedom known, the cost is also known, but honor and duty stand above that. I grew up in a household where Military service was an honor. My dad was a Marine, he served in WWII. Though he was not on any type of active duty while I was growing up. One of his brothers served in that same war in the Navy, another of his brothers was in the Air Force. Do I think their parents wanted to send them off to war. NO, but did they recognize the call to duty?? Yes. Did they think of thier sons as slaves to the U.S. government?? NO. Last summer, I came to an awaking regarding the value of the men and women who have served in the U.S. Military. Last summer (2001), nearly 50 years after his tour of duty was over, I witness my father-in-law receiving his military honors, including a purple heart. He witnessed a lot of death on his tour of duty. But as I watched his 7 medal's of Honor being pinned on his sport coat, receive, I could tell it was a very proud moment in his life. If one looked closely, you could see the tears in his eyes. Talking with him last summer, about a subject that he has always been closed mouth about, made me realize how much we take our freedom for granted. Do I think that those who have already fought for this nation, now want to see us shy away from the duty of protecting this nations rights and freedom's?? NO WAY. These men and women of previous wars paid a price, some with their lives. They know what kind of hell it is to fight a war, but most would agree that the freedom's we take for granted are worth it.