Kucinich: Refusal to Discharge Is an Involuntary Draft

12/31/2003

"The Army's refusal to release tens of thousands of soldiers who have completed their terms of service amounts to drafting them on the very day they fulfill their obligations. These men and women have already risked their lives. They should not have to risk them a second time through involuntary service, through being forced to stay in Iraq. This is a draft. A draft forces people to serve involuntarily. If this occupation is allowed to continue for years, as the President and other Democratic presidential candidates want, we are bound to see a more formal draft. And with three of the Democratic presidential candidates favoring mandatory draft registration for 18-year-old women, even families without sons could be in for a huge surprise. Before we move any further down this path, we must recognize this occupation of Iraq as a destabilizing force in that country and a drain on the resources of this one. We must go to the United Nations with a proposal that would pull US troops out as UN peacekeepers are brought in. We must give up our hopes for oil profits and privatization of the Iraqi economy and instead rebuild our own economy here at home."

that man is always right on!
:thumbsup:

guess that does pretty much equal out to a draft, doesn't it.

I reeally don't want to see another draft...I don't want to have to worry about another generation of young people fighting/dying for some rich old fat cats!
I don't want my son or daughter being drafted.....

Dennis :yourock:

Peace
DR

Before that EVER happens. Andy can come too!

and that is why I support him 100% for President!



:dem: :kick:

Army. But WHOLE UNITS?

Guess your ordinary soldier is now a scarce specialty, and likely to become even more scarce due to casualties.

Thanks, Dennis, for telling it like it is. Sorta resembles involuntary servitude??...hmm

:yourock:

sadly, this is also why he'll have such a hard time winning- he speaks the "hard truths" and the corporate media HATES the hard truths!

Still, he's got my support all the way through the primaries

a TRUE Democrat!!!!

:toast::party::bounce:

I so appreciate the way Dennis brings issues to the light of day.
We must evict the Bush administration in November, and Dennis is leading the way.

I have a young soldier visiting for the holidays; my son's best friend, and he's on leave. I wonder if he knows about this? I don't think I'll tell him. At least not while he is on holiday. At least he got leave. He's not due to head overseas until spring.

Yet one more reason we need Kucinich.

If you appreciate that he's fearless and 100% on our side, then PHONE AND DONATE MONEY! Tonite's the nite. The end of the fundraising quarter. GIVE HIM MONEY.

Show the politicians that being tough, fearless, and on our side pays off.

we have done nothing to deserve such a great candidate...he cares nothing for himself and doesn't give out favors...tells it like it is...practical original plans for the future...

a pearl beyond price

Our troops are so blessed that someone speaks for THEM.

It's not about him, it's about us. He is a champion. Of democracy; of our Constitution and Bill of Rights; of peace; of social and economic justice; and, most of all, a champion of the PEOPLE.

is, as always, the voice of truth and reason. Good for him!

to talk about this?

this is a "tortured" talking point. It is something people will roll their eyes at.

I remember my math teacher was last year, young woman about 25 years old, her boyfriend was in the Army, and he was about to get out but he had to stay longer, not sure if he got sent to Iraq because shes moved on to a new school. I sure am not rolling my eyes.

I thought you told us not to be Eeyores. That sounds very cloudy and gray! :o

"MY son/daughter wouldn't be drafted and have to go to war."

But DK makes this "tortured" point very clear. I plan on copying this and making sure that it makes its way into the high schools.

How many of them are exempt?

My son's best friend is due to finish his tour of duty in '05. Think they'll let him go?

This needs to hit home in neoconville. Not all republican voters are the wealthy elite.

I meant to say that people are not going to get all riled up about a draft because they think someone else's son/daughter would be the one drafted, not theirs. Kinda like, we do need a dump but NIMBY. OK clear now? My son would indeed be eligible for the draft because he is 35 and they can draft up to 44.

Now those already in harm's way: oh, my heart goes out to them and their friends and families. I only WISH the nation would get some common sense and listen to Dennis.

I'm tired, and not cyber-clear today!

I was just thinking that, while we are outraged, we aren't hearing it from the general public. Yet. Until it hits home. And it has to, because their families will be affected, too.

I would also be eligible for the draft; I turn 44 in another few months. <shudder>

And my boys, in their 20s, are prime targets.

Dennis.

Just curious. Didn't know about that until I read this.

Once again Dennis Kucinich brings up an excellent point that we could really drive home against the current administration. This is a valid concern and source of contention which could be used to pull some people to our side. Everybody knows somebody that can't get out right now that wants to.

I think Bush needs a dose of Dennis daily...strong medicine for the stupidity that ails you!

I Want to check into that.

Really astute. Thanks Dennis - for saying what matters - talking about substance.

Who are the three candidates favoring a mandatory draft? Let me guess Lieberman, Gephardt, ...