by LyinEyes 43 Replies latest jw friends
TWO comments;
Animal; I agree very strongly with your thought. I as my father before me, served. Voluteer Dec14,1964. 12yr 11mo 8days service.
Yeru: I STRONGLY disagree with your SLAM of the DRAFTED soldiers. Without the draftees and reserves you professional soldiers...................................................
mike
I haven't read through this whole thread, so forgive me if I'm repeating what someone else said. But what about offering a non-violent option? Oh I know there used to be something similar but what about expanding it to include community service type functions? Everyone must serve two years, and if they have moral objections to the military then they must serve the country by doing things such as garbage pickup (littering, etc.), assisting road construction, etc. You could expand this to having the "draftees" work in any number of public works projects. I read that most major cities' water pipes are aging and leaking and need to be replaced. There would be an excellent place for the government to spend some money and would need bodies to make it happen.
Just a thought.
I told my 17 year old that, like those before him, it would be his duty and responsibility.
My 12-year old son and I have been watching "Band of Brothers" which basically follows a group of soldiers during WWII (from D-Day to V-E Day). Programs like that one (and others) help us to appreciate the freedom we enjoy today because of the sacrifices that so many made. It seems like that generation of men and women we so unselfish. Can you even imagine being a Ranger storming Omaha beach? Can you imagine being a Marine island hopping in the Pacific against the Japanese? Can you imagine being the parent of one of those young men? The ultimate sacrifice that these people made is beyond words. As a JW it always bothered me that we as a religion didn't thank these men. A few years ago my then wife and I were in France and we went and visited the D-Day landing sites and memorial. Wow, row after row of crosses. Seeing the beach that they stormed, thinking "how the hell did any of them make it out alive? what kept them moving forward?" It amazed me. Not sure what my JW wife thought. I believe she was thinking "what a waste."
While I expect my son to do his duty (if called upon), the thought still creates a pain in my belly. I remember watching "Black Hawk Down" and just being amazed how young all of those soldiers looked! Though still a few years away from being able to join the military, I do have this "fear" that one day he'll be called upon to serve his country in this manner. With all the trouble in the middle east, problems with North Korea and the biggest threat of all - China - a major war is just on the horizon. I just hope that the leaders of our country realize what's in their hands - our country's greatest assets, our young men and women.
OK,
Let me apologize to all those soldiers who were drafted, I over spoke. Volunteer soldiers make better soldiers, but that isn't meant to denegrate the sacrafices made by those who were drafted years ago and who served valiantly. God forbid there should ever be a time we need to institute the draft again. I really don't think today's youth would make good draftees, too many whine tits out there. But those from WWII, Korea, and Veitnam served well, sorry if I offeneded anyone.
Roybatty that is exactly how I feel.
I have been watching those movies and they rip my heart out. Very brave boys they were.
DId you see "We were Soliders",,,,,,,, Mel gibson, I bawled my eyes out at that one too.
I really like to watch those movies to get a glimpse of what happened behind the scenes.
Many of hollywoods movies are not always accurate and fictional stuff is added to enhance them.
But for the most part most of the movies out lately are true stories and have veterans who were there to tell them exactly how things really went down .
I will never get over hearing some of the young men calling for their mama's and wanting to go home as they laid there dying. This part is true, I heard a veteran telling me this happened alot in WW2.
Most of the vets from Vietnam, don't want to even talk about it.
In fact the old man that did tell me about WW2 , never shuts up bullshitting everyone all the time , always laughing and pulling your leg,,,,like alot of cajuns do.....lol. But once he hit the memories of the war he spoke a few things, and said that was all he was going to say and he needed another beer. That showed me how much that man still hurts over what he went thru and what he lost.
The men who fought in those wars have a brotherhood like no other. In our town there is about 5 men who made it home from WW2, each year on Veterans day, they go to the cemetary where one of their group didnt make it home alive. THey all made a pact that if one didnt come back, they would have a beer with him when they visisted the grave.
THey had it on the local news and these old men, have for years , gone to his grave and opened a six pack and shared it with their buddy, in honor of him.
I think that our men who are enlisted voluntarily are really brave heroes. But I think that with proper training even if they draft those younger men can be heroes too.
I just think that if they are going to draft,,,,,,,,, and a boy is 18 , why not keep him out of active front line duty, and train the hell out of him, and give him at least 2 yrs, to get rid of the some of the fear and build his confidence up. It wouldnt take long for most to have alot more determination and skills if they trained them for 2 yrs at 18 before sending them off. I think all 18 yr olds need those 2 extra years to mature. I don't know how the army does that or what kind of training and time frame is going on there.
But if my 18 yr old got drafted it would ease my mind to know he wasnt going to the front lines until he was throughly trained. That takes time. JMO.
Sorry Folks,
No draft.
If the draft bugs you then please call your Senator and give him your support for tactical nukes.....just a thought...........
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2617783.stm
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said that he sees no basis at present for the use of force against Iraq.
 |
Kofi Annan |
His remarks came as an unnamed weapons inspector told a US newspaper that he and his colleagues had found no concealed material in Iraq.
I took this off of AOL news.
"Rep. Charles Rangel, a veteran of the Korean War, says he plans to introduce legislation to resume the military draft in the event of a war against Iraq.
Rangel said the prospect of a draft would make Congress less likely to support a war. President Bush has said he doesn't intend to revive the draft, which ended in 1973."
AGAIN (((President Bush has said he doesn't intend to revive the draft, which ended in 1973.)))
Rangel is putting forward propaganda (as he knows this is a dead peice before he submits it to congress. It is politics and bull.) It is meant to do exactly what it is doing to you; Make you fear. It is your son's choice to decide what to do when he is of age. He might join the armed forces he might not. As to a draft it is not needed now so wait to worry. And if there is ever a draft then wait to worry until it is his lot. And if his lot is drawn and he decides to go then wait to worry until you know his posting. Being at ground zero of a war is not as likly as it once was.
I have a son too. I also have a little daughter. I hope neither has to see the horror of war. But unfortunally there are very bad people in this world. And it is the people of the Armed Forces in the US, Canada, and most of Europe that keep civillians like me safe and sheltered from war. I thank them. There are Police forces that help to keep the domestic peace. They are not thanked or respected enough. There are armed citizens who also protect themselves and others from harm every day. I thank them as well. It is these people who make the way for others to come to aide and teach people better ways to be. Bono has a great plan for Africa. His way IMO has the best chance for stability and long term peace. Dealing with or codling crimials, looney dictators, and Authoritarian Governments only delay the enevitable conflicts and wars. I agree with Reagan, "Peace through Strength."
If my son was called to duty I would never try to make him not take his place. If I could I would take it for him. I would also stand beside all of my fellow Americans. I am glad that the pacifist "Peace at any cost" people are the minority. This attitude that "the world must love us, and we have to accept others whatever they do" I say NO. No I will not. I will use deadly force to defend myself and my family if need be. I will support my Government to do the same. There are some people that are evil. You can not give them enough money nor can you give them enough love, you can not understand them. There are some people who just need killing. As a Country and a World we are too quick to avoid dealing with unacceptable treatment of humanity. The world needs to be more responsible and accountable; That includes the UN and the USA. And there are somethings and some people who are not worth negotiating with period.
This is simply a polical ploy to garner anti-war support.
ANIMAL,
are you nuts??? do you know what your son would risk his live for? not for freedom or other nice words BUT for a couple of rich guys who want to get even richer!
what were all wars faught for? for economical reasons no other!
I don't see an argument for military action now