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Not just another word for nothing left to lose
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Also by Joelle Parks:
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Students around the country will soon return to campus and begin the invigorating schedule of classes, jobs and partying. Many assume that this schedule will continue for four years, sometimes more, and be the “best time of their life.” Freedom is redefined in college; it is the first time that many are living on their own and picking up new responsibilities. Major worries may include doing laundry for the first time, making new friends, sharing a bathroom and even getting homesick, which are all a part of this freedom.
Through all of these worries it is hard to remember many people the same age are in a different land protecting the very freedom we take for granted. With the war in Iraq escalating and more American deaths occurring everyday, inevitably very few students will voluntarily enlist in order to preserve this lifestyle for future citizens. So the question is: will there be no other option than to reinstate the draft?
Though not explicitly outlined in the Constitution, Article 1, Section 8, Clause 12 does state Congress has the power “To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years.” This has been interpreted to give Congress the power to enforce a draft.
Although the United States does not have an active draft today, the Selective Service is responsible for enlisting young men ages eighteen to twenty-five. The fine for failing to enlist is $250,000 and ineligibility from several federal programs, including student aid. Jack Martin, the former head of the Selective Service, has indicated that he feels it would be unlikely that there would be lengthy deferments for college, and that it is possible that both men and women could be drafted.
The Army and even the Marines are doing everything in their power to prevent men and women form being called up. The Alliance for Security asserts these organizations have implemented every possible way to ensure their requirements are met, including extended overseas deployments, heavy reliance on the National Guard and Reserves, call-ups of Individual Ready Reservists and Retired Reservists, stop-loss orders, significant re-enlistment bonuses and shifting of troops to complete understaffed units. President Bush even wants to train more Iraqi troops so that they can eventually take over for American soldiers.
In this period of advanced technology, the military must have a force of highly skilled and intelligent individuals. If the draft were to be reinstated, it would take the newcomers nearly their entire deployment time, two years, just to learn how to operate new advancements. This would be impossible; meaning their ability and their level of commitment would be poor. According to the Alliance for Security’s website, “the Army is already stretched to the breaking point and now faces the prospect of a crisis in retention and recruitment. If the Army can’t get enough volunteers to meet the demands it faces, then a draft will not be a matter of choice.”
Support for the war against terrorism is rising with our allies, especially after the recent bombings in London and other attempted terrorist attacks. Hopefully, their reinforcements will further delay the draft. If not, the draft will have to be reinstated.
No one wants this to happen, but if it does occur, it is the only way possible to preserve the way of life that Americans have become accustomed to and provide that opportunity to others. The military is on a mission to enhance the lives of those who do not know the definition of freedom.
Freedom is the ideal upon which this country was founded. Consider those who are protecting it; they are doing so by choice. It is their duty to protect the United States. Soon new classes will begin, along with new friendships, new jobs, new residences, and a new life. Take advantage of freedom as it is today, because as quickly as it was given, it can be taken away.
Joelle Parks (jparks@badgerherald.com) is a sophomore intending to major in journalism.
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"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
-- Thomas Jefferson
ps. The liberal yobs had better hope that the USA wins WW IV, the Islamofascists execute blasphemers, apostates and atheists (but then, atypically for conservative Republicans, I am all of these - which is why I support the war).
pps. Saddam is a tyrant - Bush is not.
"I am all of these"
So you're a liberal yob, an Islamofascist, a blasphemer, an apostate, an atheist, and a conservative Republican?
Apparently you're also a self-hating, suicidal schizophrenic who couldn't complete a well-structured sentence if your life depended on it.
Nope, just a blasphemer, an apostate, an atheist, and a conservative Republican.
You apparently are the yob.
I hope we don't have a draft either. I'd rather see the rest of the free world pitch in and help drag in these terrorists psychos. Freedom is everyone's responsibility. Those who aren't willing to fight for it whenever necessary deserve to lose it.
I think it's rather absurd, though, that all these liberals are against fighting terrorism, but they wouldn't hesitate to firebomb an SUV or a recruiting office. I guess they'd rather be part of the problem than part of the solution. Oh well...
Oh stop it already with the "draft" scare so far it ain't gonna happen we do not allow Gays to serve, still boot out those who can't pass a simple Physical Fitness test, still allow folks to retire after 20 years, still allow folks to ETS when there tour is up etc. Now don't you think we would stop doing all of this before we even started thinking of a draft???? So quit scaring these know nothing of the military college students into an "oh my God we will be drafted" mindset before you yourself understand the military system a little better
Remember that ONLY Democrats have supported bringing back the draft.
If you don't want a draft, vote Republican. Republicans believe in the market, i.e. pay what it takes to get enough volunteers. The Democrats apparently believe in forcing people into the armed forces instead.
Draft registration was reinstituted under Carter. Fortunately, Carter lost to Reagan. Otherwise the Democrats might have brought back the Draft years ago.
It was representatives from poor, especially minority districts that re-introduced the concept of a draft. They didn't do it to actually bring back the draft, but to prove a point: these foreign policy misadventures that rich white people cook up are fought disproportionately by poor and non-white people. The only draft I would support is that every politician voting for war has to supply a first-born to the effort.
For me personally, were I a senator, that would have meant voting FOR WW II, AGAINST Korea, AGAINST Vietnam, AGAINST Iraq, FOR Bosnia, FOR Rwanda, FOR Afghanistan, AGAINST Iraq. I know it's hypothetical looking back, but it's still an interesting exercise.
Aw, the Badger Herald is removing the comment box from Mohammed Abed's article so we can't tell him what a terrorist asshole he is. I guess the Badger Herald likes terrorists! No, they don't want anyone to retort because only terrorists get to say anything. Bunch of liberal babies!
When did you enlist?