How has it remained so quiet that two Republican Congressmen have introduced a bill to reinstate the U.S. military draft? House Resolution 3598, the Universal Military Training and Service Act of 2001, would force all men between the ages of 18 and 22 into six months to a year of basic training; it would also authorize the various Secretaries of the branches of the armed forces to “allow” women to volunteer for training. Honestly, I just can’t see this one getting very far. (Also, can’t women currently volunteer for service? Pretty damn patronizing…)

Comments

I haven’t seen the exact bill, Jason… and the wording already seems failry contrived from the “allow” comment, but I have to say that I’ve always been in favor of universal, short-term conscription.

It would certainly mean that a lot more interest in foreign affairs.

It might also address certain hair-brained, gun-lobby-endorsed ideas about the second amendment.

This probably isn’t the forum… but I couldn’t resist dropping my two cents in.

: )

• Posted by: Vis10n on Jan 22, 2002, 11:54 AM

Actually, I think some sort of required service, and that doesn’t necessarily translate to military, would be good for both the country and the conscriptees (if that’s actually a word.)

Vis1On, I like your thought about the 2nd Amendment. Perhaps make military service a prerequisite for gun ownership ;-)

• Posted by: dave dobbs on Jan 22, 2002, 4:04 PM

Well, the second amendment is all about militia’s… imagine: every gun out there registered! every gun accounted for…

• Posted by: Vis10n on Jan 23, 2002, 12:15 PM
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