[xzins]

Interesting thoughts about statist paternalism.

While I believe there is a time of national emergency when a draft is necessary, I find his ideas of fatherly responsibility to their daughters to be thought provoking.

Jessica Lynch went through what I don't want for my daughter. She was a volunteer.

But, do I have a responsibility to oppose the state when it wants to FORCE my daughter into military service in a way that I would not oppose it when it comes for my son?

[xzins]

Ping.

[AZLiberty]

Government coercion is nasty, whether applied to male or female.

The author misses the point -- it's the draft that's bad, not that it might be applied to females. Otherwise, I might argue that my little girl (now 16) should be "protected" from paying income tax while my son should feel the full brunt.

High-tech warfare is now to the point where conscripts would mainly serve to get in the way. If we need qualified people, spread the burden around, run a deficit, and offer "huge" recruiting bonuses (e.g., no income tax for the rest of your life).

[Nonstatist]

The "state" accords enormous preferences to women across the board; from huge income transfer programs like Social Security (which lopsidedly goes to elderly white women) to medicaid, food stamps,etc which goes mostly to women to biased , predatory ,unconstitutional divorce law and college quota preferences like Title IX and so on .

So.. now we're suppose to say women should get out of national service conscription so they can get their college degrees or work or whatever, while men go to get killed? F&ck that. In for a dime, in for a dollar. Change the rest of it, and then you can change this.

[familyofman]

Are we to love our daughters more than our sons? As the father of 2 sons, no daughters - I have to ask, our my sons less valuable than someone else's daughters? I don't think so.

[Tribune7]

What bill is it? Who submitted it? Who are the co-sponsors? What is the status?

[dwd1]

I will go back before my daughter goes forcefully....

I don't think we are ready as a society to face compulsory military service for our daughters... unless there are strict rules about what combat related duties they will be allowed to engage in... also, who here did not want to have a four figure enemy body count during the rescue of Jessica Lynch

[WilliamWallace1999]

So what's the deal, we are not suppose to have a God-given love for our sons. What crap! The draft would suck for ALL our children. I have four daughters and would fight against the draft until the bitter end, but would never accept that my family was exempt from the risk that others were asked to bear. The family across the street has four boys. Should they be asked to bear more just because of their father's inability to make female spermatozoa? In a true national emergency like WWII, all must be willing to sacrifice for this great nation.

Agree with the comments about no place for conscripts in todays Army, but in the face of a true fight for survival as a nation; they would not be enough. Even old farts like me would have to take up arms against enemies foreign and domestic.

[Happy2BMe]

"Why do American men no longer have a godly affection for their daughters?"

Answer: Because American men no longer have a love for God.

[Protagoras]

The military draft is nothing more than slavery. It is evil.

[joesnuffy]

2 Timothy 3:1-5.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their
own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce,
despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more
than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such
turn away."

[Mr. Bird]

I'm opposed to the draft (I was opposed when I was eligible, so it's only fair that I oppose it now), but if it were reinstated, there are some decent reasons for including women.

First of all, if you draft women and have them working in domestic support positions, that frees up more volunteers for the front. Secondly, women have fought long and hard to receive recognition as comparably valuable citizens. Including them in the draft would not be "payback" for the men that opposed that movement, but rather acknowledgement that women are just as crucial to the existence of this country as anyone else. To ask for an exemption would be to admit that equality is a principle enforceable only if it effects a positive result on women.

That said, I am one hundred percent against women in combat roles. Now or in the future.

[ColdSteelTalon]

We are pilgrims in an unholy land....

[Steely Glint]

Equal rights requires equal responsibilites.

[em2vn]

"This bill would not only allow the government to draft our sons however This bill would not only allow the government to draft our sons however (as bad as that is itself), but it would also allow the government to draft our daughters into the military for two years."
As a Christian father I think it is an outstanding idea. I am in favor of universal service for all eighteen year olds. Two years serving our nation seems a very small price to pay for a life time of living in America.

[First Amendment]

Here's a spinoff thought (not connected with drafting women, but about how screwed up parent+child relationships are now):

I heard on (gack!) NPR (Forgive me , it's the only radio station I can hear out in the woods) that more and more children - as young as 2 years old - are being diagnosed with "mental illness". Everything from the gamut of ADHD and ADD to schizophrenia and depression. And the treatment? Why, drugs, of COURSE! And the genius doctors figure that 10% of kids have serious mental problems. NOT A SINGLE reason was given why. In fact, the news/opinion piece said that the reason they are finding out so many kids "have mental illness" is because so many are being raised in day care, so the "professional care takers" are noticing that the kids are nuts.

One kid was convinced he was Superman and kept trying to jump out of windows, cars, etc. NOT ONE MENTION that maybe the kid was stuck in front of the blue altar too much! Or at day care too much! Or didn't interact with his parents enough (if he was fortunate enough to have a mother and a father!)

So the conclusion was that kids need drugs, being mentally ill at 2 or 8 years old is a normal thing, and that daycare for infants is a good thing.

To me this is crystal clear evidence (as if I needed any more) of the complete breakdown of the natural family, and the civilization which is dependent on stable natural families.

[Apa6]

If any situation becomes serious enough to institute a draft then our country is in big trouble.

We NEED women to stay here and make babies to replace the thousands who will die in a major conflict. If not from political or religious origin, it is a basic need of human survival. Kill the men and women of a certain age group in war and we are doomed.

[tm22721]

You're fighting the wrong battle.

If we repeal the 19th amendment (women's right to vote), everything else will return to 'normal'.

BUMP

[mtbopfuyn]

Does the bill address who's to keep the home fires burning if both parents are drafted? Who will raise the children? Who will care for ailing grandparents? Who will maintain the family's business affairs? Who will care for the mundane duties of keeping the house safe and in order, the bills paid, the cars running, the pets fed, etc?

[Possenti]

My godfather once said that the greatest sin in our country is not abortion, but the way we now treat our women.

Abortion is only a symptom.

I think he's right...

[Old Sarge]

Let me start with this simple truth:

THERE IS NO DRAFT.

That being said, I am deeply disappointed by FRiends on this thread. Mainly in their belief in Chuck Rangel, who is mistakenly feeding the sheep the idea that there is conscription in America right now - maybe on the campuses to join the DNC, but that's for another thread.

Then of course, let us not forget that THERE IS NO DRAFT.

Welcome to the 21st Century, where we are fighting such a thing as assymetrical warfare. There is no more "in the rear with the gear". There are no more REMF's to gripe about in the trenches. We are fighting this one in a series of armed perimeters, where there will be "Gooks on the wire" everywhere you look.

Now did I use enough Vietnam slanguage for everyone who believes that quagmire thing, and forgets that THERE IS NO DRAFT.