Posted on 09/22/2004 1:54:46 PM PDT by Enduring Freedom
McDermott Co-Sponsors Legislation to Reinstate the Draft
January 7, 2003 - For Immediate Release
Washington, DC-- Congressman Jim McDermott (Democrat) has announced his co-sponsorship of Congressman Charles Rangel's (Democrat) legislation to reinstate the military draft and other forms of national service. The bill would require Americans between 18 and 26 to serve two years in the military or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security.
The bill, HR 163, is intended to ensure that the burden of military service is not borne disproportionately by the poor and numbers of minority groups.
Congressman McDermott commented that "I believe that if those who are pushing for war knew that their children might be required to share the burden of that war, there might be a greater willingness to work toward peace and a diplomatic solution. If, despite our best efforts, we end up in armed conflict, then fairness dictates that the sons and daughters of all classes participate."
" I am pleased to be an original co-sponsor of Congressman Rangel's bill, McDermott continued. " If we need to re-instate the draft in order to make the Administration consider the chilling consequences of war, so be it. I hope this will make them realize how important a diplomatic solution really is. "
In underscoring the need for broad public discussion about committing troops to conflict, McDermott reiterated his view that it is time to consider a period of compulsory service for every young person in our country. "The draft ended thirty years ago, and since then the sense of obligation as the price of citizenship has faded," he said. I agree with Congressman Rangel that we need to find ways to share the sacrifices associated with committing our country to war, whether it's a campaign against illiteracy, poverty, hunger, or terrorism."
Congressman McDermott served as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps at the Long Beach Naval Station in California from 1968 to 1970. Congressman Rangel served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1948 to 1952.
My sympathies.
He served in the US Army from 48-52 doesnt say when he was in Korea or what he actually did while there..
And even if it did...I would want to see actually records...& not done in MS fonts either
This is a carefully calculated move on their part. They know that the MSM will carry it on their front pages and make it sound like it's Bush's idea, and the dummies will buy into it. It's all been scripted and is now being executed as part of their "October Surprise."
Send it to dan blather and I'm sure he will do a full 60 Minutes program on this. < /sarcasm>
Excerpts:
The bills are not being pushed. It's quite true that the two bills mentioned would require both men and women aged 18 through 25 to perform a two-year period of "national service," which incidentally could be either military or non-military service. But the bills are sponsored only by Democrats, and there's not the slightest evidence that the Bush administration is pushing for them, quietly or otherwise.
One bill is HR 163 , whose principle sponsor is Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel of New York. It has 14 co-sponsors, all of them Democrats in a Congress controlled by Republicans. The bill was dead on arrival: it sits in a House subcommittee with no hearings or votes scheduled and no action expected.
In fact, Rangel told FactCheck.org through his spokesman Emile Milne that even he isn't pushing for passage, let alone Bush (emphasis added):
Rep. Rangel: I'm not pushing this bill . It's up to the President to come to me when he needs it.
The identical Senate bill, S. 89 , introduced by Democratic Sen. Ernest Hollings, and also was DOA. Not one other senator has co-sponsored it. It also sits in committee with no action scheduled or expected.
Both bills in question were drawn up before the Iraq war started, mostly to make a political point. Rangel said he acted to highlight Democratic objections to use of military force against Saddam Hussein. He wrote , "I truly believe that decision-makers who support war would more readily feel the pain of conflict and appreciate the sacrifice of those on the front lines if their children were there, too."
Hastert should fast track this with immediate hearings and let the 'rats justify it before slam-dunking it.
My idiot congresscritter has emerged from the sludge again!
We need to see some rapid response on this, and quick. Rove has been pretty good anticipating this kind of stuff.
Can anyone get this to the campaign?
They're doing this so it looks like this is happening under Bush's watch. The Press won't report that it's two Dems...they'll just report there's legislation to restore the draft and kids will link that with Bush. That's the plan. And unfortunately, it will work.
It says in the Army ( in ) Korea from 1948 1952.
He probably served a 4 year hitch and I believe he was Artillery and might have only gotten 3 points a month. Infantry got 4. So 9 months 36 points and bug out back to the States. Artillery 3 x12 =36
Actually, I'll do that. Don't hold your breath to hear them report it though.
I hope someone here gets them the message, and fast. This draft garbage needs to be nipped in the bud, but quick.
Yup, there it was, all along.
McDermott - Democrat, Washington
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Campaigning for Kerry before the young Democrats, McDermott continued the anti-war and anti-George W. Bush messages he talked about in the movie.
He told the students that changes in military combat tours is "an unwritten, sneak draft." And he said an official draft could be coming soon.
"Everybody in this room who is 17 years old should know that the likelihood of a draft in a second Bush administration is almost a certainty," McDermott said.
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Thank you for that list!
Good. I think a lot of young folks would benefit by gaining the perspective of serving their country for two years instead of just getting the liberal indoctrination in the schools.
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