Draft bill would affect men and women, ages 18-24

Here it comes folks. And isn't it interesting it comes AFTER the election. The Bush Administration has so abused and exploited the volunteer army it can no longer sustain itself. Key Army leaders have been saying this for months.
Do you want four more years of the same incompetence? Do you want to risk your son or daughter somewhere in the Middle East? I would rather bet on the credibility of a Kerry Administration in rallying other nations to the cause.
Draft bill would affect men and women, ages 18-24
On January 7, 2005, a bill will be voted on in the House of Representatives that has the potential to change the lives of young people across the nation. The largely unknown bill goes by the name of HR163, and will give the United States government the power to draft anyone between the ages of 18 and 24, regardless of sex, into military service.
According to the Thomas Web site, the online source for legislative information, this bill intends "[to] provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes."


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Draft bill would affect men and women, ages 18-24
By AMBER GLAWE
STAFF WRITER
UMD STATESMAN ONLINE
On January 7, 2005, a bill will be voted on in the House of Representatives that has the potential to change the lives of young people across the nation. The largely unknown bill goes by the name of HR163, and will give the United States government the power to draft anyone between the ages of 18 and 24, regardless of sex, into military service.
According to the Thomas Web site, the online source for legislative information, this bill intends “[to] provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes.”
For those of you who read those words and assume that “Conscientious Objector” (C.O.) status will be the path you would choose if it comes to that, think again. Once again, the Thomas Web site states, “[Exemption] from combatant training included as part of that military service and whose claim is sustained under such procedures as the President may prescribe, shall, when inducted, participate in military service that does not include any combatant training component.”
Yes, folks, that means that even if you do not want anything to do with fighting or weaponry, you could be assigned to a clerical or medical position. If you have a health problem, ha! They’ll fi nd something for you to do. Deferment from this Act can only be attained through a series of court hearings. Attending college is, apparently, not a good enough reason to gain C.O. status.
What about escaping to friendly Canada? Forget that option. In Dec. 2001, the United States and Canada s i g n e d a “ S m a r t B o r d e r Declaration” which could be used to make draft-dodging a criminal offense
Another stipulation of HR163 states that the tour of service for those who are already serving will be extended. This means that your friends and family who are overseas will have to spend even more time fi ghting a war they may not fully understand.
Personally, I have no desire to ever participate in our nation’s armed services. The beauty of America is our freedoms of choice, right? I value my freedoms as a citizen and my decision to NOT be a part of the draft as an example of those freedoms.
Having a volunteer army was meant to be one of those freedoms - no one has to fi ght unless they choose to do so. If the cause for war is just, then there shouldn’t be any problem fi nding people who believe in that cause and will volunteer to fi ght. If there is a need for a draft, it only proves that the reasons we are fi ghting do not appeal to possible soldiers.
This brings about more questions. Do we really need a draft? Aren’t there already enough soldiers on reserve, or w i l l t h e I r a q confl ict require even more loss of life before it is resolved? T h i s b i l l i s , by its nature, obviously being pushed by the R e p u b l i c a n P a r t y . I t i s merely another s t e p i n t h e gradual reduction in American freedom since 9/11 and Bush’s scare tactic platform for reelection.
There have been a total of 1,038 U.S. casualties in the Iraq confl ict; 900 of them have been since May 1, 2003 when the president declared “an end to major combat operations.” (Source: MSNBC.com) No one else needs to die in this war, especially those who would not freely choose to enlist.
Regardless of which side you support in the election, your voice is important. If you want to be in the Army, Navy, Air Force or a member of the Coast Guard, great! Go enlist and protect the grand old U.S.A. It is a truly noble thing to do, but don’t count on me being there with you.
So this brings us to the big question: What can you do to help stop this bill from being passed? The answer is easy: Use your voice and write to your congressperson. Tell them that you do not want to be drafted and that your education is important to the future of our country. Explain why this bill would hurt you or your friends, for any reason. Young people have always been called “The Future of America,” so don’t just watch things happen - exercise your power to control that future.
Your vote in November could help this bill be passed or vetoed, depending on whom you choose to cast your vote for and what their position is in regards to this bill. Nevertheless, there are students who think their vote won’t matter in the grand scheme of things, and to those students, I say that HR163 is a reason for you to get to the polls on November 2.
Amber Glawe can be reached at glaw0005@d.umn">glaw0005@d.umn.edu
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