"John D. Giorgis" wrote:
>
> And if Congress passes a declaration of war in 1940?
>
And if a bookcase fell on to Hitler and killed him? I mean, what kind of
question is that John? Did congress vote to declare war in '40? If so what
was the vote count? What were their arguments for and against? How did the
nation at large feel about going to war? Did they feel threatened by Hitler?
Were we materially ready to go to war? I have no way of knowing whether or
not I would have favored a declaration of war in 1940 without having at least
some basic understanding of these and probably many other factors. But I was
around during Viet Nam. I'm sure you're aware that there was no declaration
of war against North Viet Nam, and that from about '68 on public sentiment
turned against our involvement in the war. I had a draft number and had the
war lasted a year longer I could have been drafted. I know how I felt (and
still feel) about that. I think that if you can't get enough volunteers to
fight in a conflict like Viet Nam, especially if it doesn't merit an official
declaration of war, that that's a good indication that you probably ought not
to be there in the first place.
One thing for certain about conscription; there should be no way for the
children of the rich and powerful to avoid it. No national guard
vacationland, no imaginary medical deferments, no college deferments. It
makes a mockery of the constitution to send the children of our poorest
citizens to fight our battles for us while the rich kids stay home and party.
Doug
