<p>opie, there are lots of civic dutied other than voting-jury duty, paying taxes and obeying the laws. Last time I looked registering for SSS was the law. Unless we choose civil disobedience we cannot pick and choose which laws to obey.</p>
<p>BTW I am just a little right of being a pacifist and have thought the invasion of Iraq was a big mistake since day 1. Afghanistan invasion? I was okay with that to the extent that it was for the dismantlement of al Q and capture of bin Laden.</p>
<p>Since we’ve gone through so many <em>wars</em> in the past 40 years with an all volunteer military, and since there would be so much of a backlash and protest against another draft for a Vietnam type situation…I look at SSS as a sort of “last resort” situation. Only in the event of a major calamity at which point most people would lay down their plows and join Uncle Sam on their own anyway.</p>
<p>How would people feel about this…a SSS that required women as well as men to register, and in the event of a “draft”, that it be for domestic jobs and services as well as military (sort of a CCC or WPA type system).</p>
<p>I guess my question is, is the issue because it’s a military draft, or is it because of enforced servitude?</p>
<p>“is the issue because it’s a military draft, or is it because of enforced servitude?”</p>
<p>I think it is of the potential for a draft. That’s it’s intent. Not social service, military service. It’s underhanded, that’s all. Be honest with America. </p>
<p>“Unless we choose civil disobedience we cannot pick and choose which laws to obey.”</p>
<p>and of course, all laws are good and just? 
More than a few come to mind from not too long ago that were found to be unjust. </p>
<p>No, the primary duty of a citizen is to vote for the government they wish to represent them. Otherwise why all the joy over the purple finger tip? Was that to indicate jury duty?</p>
<p>I agree with originalog that women should be required to register for the draft if our young men are. Women are fighting with our sons in Iraq. If our men are called up, there will also be work for women. </p>
<p>I have very mixed feelings about the draft. On the one hand, I think that the military is better off with people who really want to be there. They do a better job. On the other hand, a draft could act as a check on our government’s military adventures. Everyone would have a personal stake in what we are doing around the world. We’d have to pay attention.</p>
<p>Even if you are not a citizen, you must register for SSS. On the other hand, you still cannot vote in most elections.</p>
<p>I’m with Lafalum on this one. S isn’t 18 yet, but the thought of him registering to be drafted makes me want to throw up.</p>
<p>Ditto, Helimom.</p>
<p>When my sons went for their drivers learning permit at 15, they had to “preregister” for the draft. Now THAT was creepy.</p>
<p>I fail to understand…</p>
<ol>
<li>It is federal law. It is a civic duty, just like jury duty. (But most of us are too lazy to be bothered by the justice system anyway, right?) What is unjust about signing into an emergency program to defend your country and its closest allies in a true emergency?..Elvis did it when we were involved in Korea, and you’re worried about giving up a year or two of school?</li>
<li> It enables you to get educational benefits.</li>
</ol>
<p>If you are a CO, you don’t really have to worry about it as long as you have documentation…so you can’t really use that as an excuse. So, what’s your story? “I didn’t feel like it,” “I was too busy to spend 10 minutes on-line,” “I would refuse to defend my country in a time of legitimate need, because I am concerned about my own well-being,” or is there a legitimate reason that I am missing?</p>
<p>The only way the draft would be reinstated is if a major war started and the (currently) all-volunteer military was not able to handle the situation. Needless to say, that would be a very serious situation. I doubt that the US government could commit to a situation that would require a draft without it becomming a major defensive conflict or a world war.</p>
<p>[gets off soapbox]</p>
<p>raimus, I agree (see #22), and I have two sons (my babies) in the draft system. Call me naive, but I don’t believe a draft will ever come along until we have a real WWIII scenario, in which case my kids will be the first in line to defend our country.</p>
<p>raimius:</p>
<p>We could use more people like you.</p>
<p>Delemmas of Patroitism. It is my understanding that GWB has USA and World in a War for survival. He is the Decider, CIC, unitary Presidency.</p>
<p>Come again?</p>
<p>I’m talking about a real major conflict, not some global hunt or “War” on drugs, etc.</p>
<p>How, raimius, can you be so sure of the “only” way a draft would be used? The best future predictor we have is our own history, and of that I offer one word…Vietnam.</p>
<p>“I’m talking about a real major conflict”</p>
<p>That becomes the problem doesn’t it? Who decides what a real major conflict is? Your committed to following directives given by our commander in chief. OUR responsibility is to make sure those whom direct are worthy of your loyalty.</p>
<p>I appreicate your patriotic service as I see you are at the academy. I only ask of the people whom direct you to action do so with regard for your well being. </p>
<p>As “patton” (george C.) said… “We want the other poor ■■■■■■■ to die for his country”</p>
<p>I totally agree with raimius even though I dispise the current administration and the chaos they are creating in the world(though NKorea seems to be coming around).</p>
<p>But as citizens our duty is to obey the law regardless of those in power. If Selective Service is such a bad thing the law should be changed. Otherwise our sons(yes I have one) must register or seek CO status.</p>
<p>I personally believe that in a time of war like Iraq/Afghanistan the draft should be automatically reinstated and NO deferments issued. I think a lot of the chickenhawks would sing a different tune if they had some flesh and blood at risk. I would have gladly seen my son off to Afghanistan at the beginning of that conflict, one which was justified at the time IMHO.</p>
<p>
The Army is not meeting its recruitment goals, despite lowering its standards (e.g., more “moral waivers”), yet GWB’s handler Cheney is taking a belligerent attitude towards Iran, keeping 2 carriers in the Gulf, setting up a Gulf of Tonkin scenario that will distract us from the current failure in Iraq. So, no, a “defensive” conflict may not be what precedes a new draft.</p>
<p>Of course, if the 200,000 College Republicans enlisted, a draft would not be necessary.</p>
<p>I concur 100% with DRB. A draft would be political suicide, but I don’t rule it out…certainly not with the current conditions. At the moment, there simply are not enough troops, such that the DOD is resorting to recruiting criminals, using “moral waivers”.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/07/13/more_entering_army_with_criminal_records/[/url]”>http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/07/13/more_entering_army_with_criminal_records/</a></p>
<p>Unquestionably, there is great potential for a draft within the next two years.</p>
<p>Originaloog–as long as there is no draft, there is no recourse for seeking CO status. The current SS law does not allow for that. There’s no place you can officially record tht status–it doesn’t exist. That’s why some choose not to register despite the law–you can try to show the CO case you will use after a draft is enacted, but meanwhile, you have already undermined that by registering.</p>
<p>"The Army is not meeting its recruitment goals, despite lowering its standards "</p>
<p>I’m not sure where you are getting your information or perhaps you are still using data from several years ago, but the army, as of June, was 2,000 recruits ahead of pace to meet its annual goal.</p>