I'm thinking back to Jimmy Carter's 1980 SOTU address where he talked about reinstating the draft. As far as I can recall, the 1980 election was one of the few that showed 90% of college professors voting for Carter while 90% of their students voted for Reagan.
Hoping for help to verify that there are no draft registration notices floating around. Then, maybe some Freepers could spread the word on college forums, etc.
Come ON!
18 year olds (at least males) have had to register for the draft for YEARS AND YEARS.
You can't even apply for a college loan without showing proof of selective service registration.
This is nothing new.
Whenever a sound sleeper wakes up he or she will be surprised at the fact that there have been things going on without their knowledge.
That seems to be the case here. Imagine!
I'm on my local draft board, and I haven't heard a thing.
It wouldn't necessarily surprise me. All men are required to register for the draft at age 18, and well, if they're in college and accepting financial aid from the government, they're definitely expected to be registered. "Registered" doesn't mean there's going to be a draft at all. Certainly there will be a lot of people who get confused on that point, but it's not like it's not explained well enough in places that describe what draft registration is.
I certainly remember many years ago that I was reminded numerous times on no uncertain terms that I had better get registered or I was going to be in big trouble and would not be able to get financial aid of any form. The warnings were of course wasted on me, since I had gone right down to the post office on my 18th birthday and done it already!
The draft is not cost effective, unless we go back to pre-World War II standards and throw cannon-fodder at our enemies. If we are unable to pull troops out of the UN minutia [we have a lot of tiny detachments scattered all over the world], out of Germany, etc, then we will need to simply expand our volunteer force. That might mean needing to cut certain agencies. It might mean a pay raise for soldiers. Our incentives should be more career oriented and less 'after service' benefits, because proper training costs a fortune.
Susannah, Thank you posting this.
As a military member, I can tell you that there is no plan to re-up the draft.
The only persons speaking about it, congressionally, are Charles Rangle D-N.Y. and John Conyers, D-Mich. They are pushing this because they feel there are a disporpotionate number of African-Americans serving now. A draft would be more equitable in their eyes.
If a draft were to be reinstated, it would be by the Democrats. I do not see a need for it and would oppose it at this point. The majority of the people I work with support the War on Terror and will fight when called upon.
If a Communist sympathizer like Kerry is elected, a draft might be needed due to the mass exodus of the volunteer troops.
Flame away, but that is how I see it.
Males have had to register for years,this is nothing new.
This has been law since the 70's.
Could be a leftist thing to get them in bulk and mail them out in specific states?
When I turned 18, I registered to vote. Just before I turned 18, I registered with the Selective Service. I did not get drafted. In fact I went to college and then voluntarily joined the Air Force.
It sounds like your sister's, boyfriend's, cousin's, room-mate may have not registered with selective service and is getting a kind reminder that he needs to submit his name.
He might want to fill out the card. He is not being drafted. The country just likes to know who is available.
First of all, the SSS will not go beyond what is being done now (registration for males at 18) without legislation signed by the President. Second, if legislation were introduced, we'd all know about it. There would be committee and full chamber debates in both Houses (including (I hope) the subject of drafting women) before anything would be sent to the President. Third, nothing is going to happen before the election.
But, if the deployment tempo continues in to next year and beyond, with all of the associated problems (stop loss, IRR call-ups, delayed retirements, etc.), watch out.
Our troops may be stretched a little thin with the current volunteer military, but talk of re-instating the draft is only talk at this point.
I was born in '59 and didn't have to register for the draft. My brother, who is 4 years younger, did. As I recall, it was the early 80s when the law changed.
Selective Service notice. Duh!
I believe the selective service law still requires 18 year old men to register with the selective service. Rangel has a bill in the hopper to reinstate the draft. Unless the majority in congress loose their minds this will not happen ( probably ever). Quotas for enlistment are being met ( in fact being exceeded) and there seems to be no need for this nonsense. Rumsfeld has in fact said repeatedly that there is no need for it. It is simply the dems effort to have people get mad at the war on terror and so quit supporting it....The all volunteer military has been working just fine thanks and it is beyond unlikely to go back to a draft
Yes, I joined the Navy in 1980 thinking Jimmy Carter was going to start the draft. Nothing happen. I was misdirected by rumors. I signed a contract and spent 6 years in the Navy. Tell your young voters it's our democrats in the house in the senate who want to start the draft. Only 6 Democrats introduced the bill and its literally on the floor. I don't want the draft. An all-volunteer force means better morale, better training and better pay. If the young people want the draft vote for Kerry.
http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/g_three_sections_with_teasers/legislative_home.htm
Check out HR 163 IH and S.89 IS
Don't believe rumor mills. Check the facts, Ma'am!
Every male has to register for the draft at 18. I had to do it, my brothers all had to do it and my son will have to do it. That does not mean that a draft is in the offing.
Here's another helpful site. Lots of information about Selective Service and registration. Show the site to your panicking parents and their children.
Every 18 year old has to registrar but that doesn't mean there will be a draft. To start the draft it has to be an act of congress and then signed by the President to become law.
Be a informed voter.
http://www.sss.gov/must.htm
I just heard Jesse "give me your money" Jackson on Hannity, and he said the draft should be reinstated.