I'm pretty much dead set against military recruitment using any sort of records other than a draft registry. When I was in high school and registered for the draft the Vietnam War was winding down, so I was in no real danger of being drafted even though my random sequence number was 001. Still, the news reports of our withdrawal and the retrospective on our inequitable experience in Southeast Asia and following had a profound effect on me; I now believe in mandatory service of some kind.
I would like to reinstate the draft in a new form with optional paths chosen by draftees: United Nations USA Peace Keeper, US Military (regular or extended guard duties), or various opportunities for conscientious objectors. I think the chosen paths could well dictate American foreign policy eventually. As long as we enter into military conflict with typical Dubya caprice, we're going to need some options to remain a strong country. The divisiveness existing from the Vietnam experience to the present demands a change. We need our local draft boards back in Minneapolis (had to stay with the list topic) and other areas of the state. The Portland, ME schools opt-out form seems fine for them; but the public schools never directly had much to do with military recruitment before, so I'd have to agree with those folks who want to preserve the status quo in this area. I think I might have enlisted to go to Afghanistan if I were not such an old wreck (as if I'd have the choice); but Vietnam, Iraq, and some of our military actions in between should give citizens of some pause about giving all or a portion of their lives carte blanche for the notions of Dubyas, Cheneys, Rummies, Wolfies, or other neocon-fidence folks by enlisting today. Bill Kahn Prospect Park REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
