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."
SERVE UP A BIG OL' BOWL OF ZOTULANCE!!!
*sniff*
Yep.
Here kitty, kitty.
Where are the Kitties?
sorry, put you down by mistake!
The President has said many times there will be NO draft.
Is there a reason for this post beyond the obvious?
I guess you peacenik humps just need a hollow log to bang on.
Do you like the draft that is the question?
Aren't you late for your NAMBLA meeting, troll?
Do you mean the draft from the trap door that just opened up?
or just to bang...
Presidents say a lot of things...
I suppose this could be discussed in the abstract, but, since there will not be a draft, it seems like a waste of time, no?
Is the President lying?
I doubt the draft will return in any form even remotely similar to previous instances. Our all-volunteer military (despite whiners to the contrary, stop-loss IS part of the contract, as is recall for IRR) would not integrate well with draftees. The draftees wouldn't want to be there, and would by their actions endanger the volunteers (who then wouldn't want the draftees there either).
Plus, you need to spend a huge amount of money to train soldiers now, and probably more for draftees (who, again, wouldn't want to be there, and would thus "learn" slower).
For that money, you can increase the recruiting targets (higher budget for the services for troop strength), and boost signing bonuses and bennies (not to mention salaries), which would go much further in bringing up troop strength than selective service.
nevermind, loser!
Go crying home, but make sure your selective service card is filled out, the jack booted thugs will be coming for you any day now.
Why do you hate your dad?
You may be a fromer Marine, but that does not leave you out from being stupid! You are about to fecieve a massive incomming ZOT!
To quote a line from a movie;
Hello....and
GOODBY!
Freeper Arty BN;
LOCK & LOAD FOR A MASSIVE ZOT!
I like the draft. . . 16 ounces at a time.
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