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In every U.S. post office there is a Selective Service System brochure and form that all male citizens 18 through 25 must fill out and send in. The brochure reminds men that, “It’s Quick – It’s Easy – It’s the Law.”
It reminds me when, at the end of WWII, when I was wondering if my draft number would be called up, thus postponing my planned university studies.
The first U.S. draft occurred during the Civil War. Then, after a long hiatus, Congress in 1940 approved the first peacetime draft which officially ended in 1973. Since that time we’ve had an all-volunteer military; a system now used by a majority of the world’s nations.
Israel is one exception where both boys and girls at 18 are obligated to serve in the military and, in violation to Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, there is no exception for Conscientious Objectors (COs).
Just recently (Oct.22), this became painfully to the attention of two high school seniors, Mr. Efi Brenner and Miss Or Ben-David, who refused to enlist or serve in any military force of any kind. Efi (Prisoner ID 203258272) is being held in the isolation ward of Military Prison no. 6 in Atlit, while Or is still at home awaiting available space in a women’s prison. (Since prison authorities often block mail from reaching prisoners, emails of support can be sent to shministim10@gmail.com for hand delivery during prison visits.)
The question of reinstituting a draft, or the Universal National Service Act (HR2723), has been raised numerous times by Rep. Rangel (D-NY) who argues that, “… those who support the United States going into war would feel more readily the pain that’s involved, if they thought the fighting force would include the affluent and those who historically have avoided this great responsibility…”
U.S. military services since 1973 to the present have been able to reach their voluntary enlistment quotas.
However, if President Obama chooses to follow General McChrystal’s recommendation to send an additional 40,000 to 60,000 U.S. troops to the war in Afghanistan, there is serious doubt as to whether it could be done within the present volunteer system. On the other hand, any attempt to pass HR2723 or any other form of military draft would undoubtedly arouse serious voter opposition.
It may be that the American Empire may have to face the reality that military force may not be the most effective way to solve, or even reduce, the world’s tensions.
Perhaps the time has come when we should pay our $1.5 billion in arrear dues to the U.N. and give multi-lateral and honest dialogue more serious and consistent support.
While politics and religion are not always good bedfellows, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed and other religious leaders did say some things about the commonality of all mankind that lead me to believe it might at least be worth a try.
In every U.S. post office there is a Selective Service System brochure and form that all male citizens 18 through 25 must fill out and send in. The brochure reminds men that, “It’s Quick – It’s Easy – It’s the Law.”
It reminds me when, at the end of WWII, when I was wondering if my draft number would be called up, thus postponing my planned university studies.
The first U.S. draft occurred during the Civil War. Then, after a long hiatus, Congress in 1940 approved the first peacetime draft which officially ended in 1973. Since that time we’ve had an all-volunteer military; a system now used by a majority of the world’s nations.
Israel is one exception where both boys and girls at 18 are obligated to serve in the military and, in violation to Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, there is no exception for Conscientious Objectors (COs).
Just recently (Oct.22), this became painfully to the attention of two high school seniors, Mr. Efi Brenner and Miss Or Ben-David, who refused to enlist or serve in any military force of any kind. Efi (Prisoner ID 203258272) is being held in the isolation ward of Military Prison no. 6 in Atlit, while Or is still at home awaiting available space in a women’s prison. (Since prison authorities often block mail from reaching prisoners, emails of support can be sent to shministim10@gmail.com for hand delivery during prison visits.)
The question of reinstituting a draft, or the Universal National Service Act (HR2723), has been raised numerous times by Rep. Rangel (D-NY) who argues that, “… those who support the United States going into war would feel more readily the pain that’s involved, if they thought the fighting force would include the affluent and those who historically have avoided this great responsibility…”
U.S. military services since 1973 to the present have been able to reach their voluntary enlistment quotas.
However, if President Obama chooses to follow General McChrystal’s recommendation to send an additional 40,000 to 60,000 U.S. troops to the war in Afghanistan, there is serious doubt as to whether it could be done within the present volunteer system. On the other hand, any attempt to pass HR2723 or any other form of military draft would undoubtedly arouse serious voter opposition.
It may be that the American Empire may have to face the reality that military force may not be the most effective way to solve, or even reduce, the world’s tensions.
Perhaps the time has come when we should pay our $1.5 billion in arrear dues to the U.N. and give multi-lateral and honest dialogue more serious and consistent support.
While politics and religion are not always good bedfellows, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed and other religious leaders did say some things about the commonality of all mankind that lead me to believe it might at least be worth a try.
