I think our kitties are related. Mine is named "TrollBiter", TeeBee for short...
Posted on 01/05/2005 8:38:49 AM PST by HogDog
Brethren Agree to Revive 'Alternative Service' Draft Programs
By Kevin Eckstrom Religion News Service Leaders of the Church of the Brethren say they will follow through on a request from the Selective Service to have "alternative service" programs in place for conscientious objectors if a draft is reinstated.
As one of the historic "peace churches" that shun military service, Brethren officials were "cautious" after an unannounced visit by a draft official to a church center in Maryland last October. Officials were worried that the visit signaled that a draft may be at hand. In follow-up meetings, draft officials urged the church to dust off long-standing "alternative service" programs that allow conscientious objectors to serve in two-year domestic service projects in lieu of military service.
In a meeting Dec. 10, the church's council voted to "maximize our efforts" on alternative service, as well as help "guide our youth in their choice of nonviolent service."
"We don't want to miss the part of providing resources to our youth that will help them understand and embrace the Brethren peace witness," said Chris Bowman, moderator of the church's 2004 conference.
Selective Service officials have insisted there are no plans to reinstate the draft, and said Alternative Service Director Cassandra Costley stopped by the Brethren Service Center simply because she was in the area.
Dick Flahavan, a spokesman for Selective Service, said officials did their best to convince church leaders there is no draft on the horizon. "We answered every one of their questions and they didn't leave with anything hanging," he said. "What we were telling them was what we tell everyone. The story hasn't varied."
Brethren leaders also agreed to meet in March with other Anabaptist churches that oppose military service. The meeting in Elgin, Ill., will bring together six Brethren and Mennonite groups to discuss "how to prepare for alternative service opportunities."
Me either and I'm Air Force. But I have 2 nephews in the Marines
The problem with a draft is that you get the Skells of society---like those that are soon-to-be ZOTted and those who believe that Democratic Underground.
Claim: The U.S. military will be reinstating the draft by Spring 2005.
Status: Probably not.
WTF? Probably? Couldn't come out and say NO during an election year when it could sway some dumb high school and college kids.
I hear that Karl Rove is BEHIND DU, that the GOP actually started the website so as to get personal information on the hard core left as well as their financial information through their regular fundraising efforts.
Plus they have been great for laughs in DUmmies FUnnies, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.
Yep.
I agree with all you say.
But reality is that our nation is not in WW2. We are divided on issues so basic as the war on terror and the Michael Moore’s out there don't help. If you draft young men into the Army today you'll end up with many (not all) who will not want to be there. The heart has to be in the right place. You want someone who accepts the reality that he may kill someone. That he must take orders from a superior and that he will be asked to do things that may be harmful to his own health. In war an Article 15 is not effective anymore. Joe won't care 2 cents about forfeiture of pay or reduction in grade.
Whatever the cost, we need to maintain quality people in our military. Dropping standards is NOT the answer. Instituting a draft is worse yet!
More money, better benefits, more advertising/better advertising, bigger bonuses, more attractive contracts (duty location, MOS reclass etc). That’s how we get and keep good men.
One thing I find STUPID AS HELL is that after 9-11 we made it harder for foreign allied citizens to join our Army. There is potential out there which is untapped. There are good young men who WANT to be in our Army but the green card requirement makes it near impossible. The Green Card is more difficult to get now (9-11) and this is counterproductive. While not that significant (We don’t have large numbers of foreigners) it would make a small difference, and every little bit counts.
Glad you see through the media BS! The media some time ago was going on and on and on about how we were not meeting recruiting goals. They took a specific aspect of recruiting (The National Guard-which you mention) and used that as an example. The active component they ignored. They again had a scandal. Something negative which can be plastered on a newspaper front page. It was as often is the case with media reference the Military or Iraq a 20% accurate picture. While there are issues (undeniable), they are not the way the news (especially the more liberal ones) presented it.
In WW2 we had a good drafted Army because as you stated the people were united. Today as in Vietnam this is not the case. What keeps our Army from degenerating and discipline alive is that those soldiers we have desire to be there. They want to be professional and the military has a code of ethics which is enforced and even sought by those joining. A drafted force will undermine that which we have today.
Red6
Thank you for posting this information.
I had not read the documents themselves.
It is good news to me as well. We could use an infusion of young men and we can raise the physical fitness standards.
From her Helen Von Damme's book (RR's secretary) Reagan was against the peace time draft but characterized it as "a necessity" during wartime. I think we are at war. BTW, it can be safely inferred that he meant drafting women: upon assuming the presidency he put an end to the Carter initiative to have females register for the draft.
Working so well as compared to what? Certainly not compared to the US Army of WW II, Korea or Vietnam.
Zot proof huh
This could be hugh!!!!
You must be from the Austin area.
Sorry I missed this one!
prevert.
ZOT!
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