The odds of that getting anyone out of the draft I suspect is a lot lower than people think, just based on the conversations I've had with friends and colleagues who were of age during the Viet Nam draft.
Even with Don't Be A Fag Don't Ask, Don't Tell? I was under the impression that TEH MILRTARY was supposed to kick you out immediately if you're a rugmuncher or shirtlifter.
Yeah, they are, and lord knows how this would go, but I know more than one person who was straight forward about that in Viet Name (when the policy was more stringent than that, but effectively the same) and they were like "tough shit" -- in one case I know, the person was able to get out of it by getting a shrin to certify that he was prone to "compulsive" sexual behavior... all annecdotal of course, but talk about a damn fine mess. Also, remember, homosexuality was still defined as a disease then, and isn't now.
The military only kicks out queers in time of peace. When there's a war on, especially a war of conscription, they conveniently overlook it- and kick you out when your tour is up.
A draft would be a great idea. Probably the only way to kick-start the peace movement. The fact that there hasn't been an effective peace movement since the draft ended isn't a surprise to me.
When middle-class kids realize that a war on Iraq might mean that they actually have to go and fight people, rather than sending over poor kids who volunteer to do it for them, perhaps they'll be a lot less sanguine about it.
Well, I looked at that article and I tried to verify the information independantly and was unable to. I'm wary that it is accurate. I know everyone is afraid or hoping that the gov't will reinstitute the draft but I find the possibility unlikely. It is an unpopular government program and the gov't should realize that. We shall see. I just wish I could verify the validity of this article.
So it's perfectly real, and has been kicking around for a while, which could mean a little or a lot, but it's all one more reason for people to be very attentive to this election.
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no subject
Date: 2004-05-23 06:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-05-23 06:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-05-23 06:24 am (UTC)Don't Be A FagDon't Ask, Don't Tell? I was under the impression that TEH MILRTARY was supposed to kick you out immediately if you're a rugmuncher or shirtlifter.no subject
Date: 2004-05-23 06:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-05-23 08:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-05-23 08:59 am (UTC)When middle-class kids realize that a war on Iraq might mean that they actually have to go and fight people, rather than sending over poor kids who volunteer to do it for them, perhaps they'll be a lot less sanguine about it.
Wheee!
Date: 2004-05-23 11:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-05-23 10:44 am (UTC)with those two things combined, and other items you are aware of - I would be eligable too.
Hrm...
Date: 2004-05-23 05:01 pm (UTC)Re: Hrm...
Date: 2004-05-23 06:36 pm (UTC)http://archive.salon.com/news/feature/2003/11/03/draft/index_np.html
The bills in Congress as listed in Thomas:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query
So it's perfectly real, and has been kicking around for a while, which could mean a little or a lot, but it's all one more reason for people to be very attentive to this election.
Re: Hrm...
Date: 2004-05-23 06:38 pm (UTC)http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=108_cong_bills&docid=f:h163ih.txt.pdf
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=108_cong_bills&docid=f:s89is.txt.pdf