"Test run" of military draft machinery announced as president, Congress take up plan to expand Mil

Dec. 21, 2006, 10:07PM
Test run of military draft machinery announced
News comes as president, Congress take up plans to expand Army, Marines


By ERIC ROSENBERG
Copyright 2006 Hearst News Service


WASHINGTON — The Selective Service System is planning a test run of the military draft machinery for the first time since 1998.

As part of the exercise, the agency is expected to conduct a mock draft and convene an "appeals board" to handle draftees who claim status as conscientious objectors.

The test announcement comes as President Bush and Congress take up plans to expand the overall size of the Army and Marine Corps and train thousands more additional forces. Both services have been stretched thin by extended deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, though President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert Gates have said they oppose bringing back the draft.

Meanwhile, the secretary for Veterans Affairs said Thursday that "society would benefit" if the U.S. were to bring back the draft and that it shouldn't have any loopholes.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/4419980.html

...CHOO!!

Sorry. Drafts do a job on my sinuses.

there are no other loopholes available. Will there be a mechanism so that they can avoid service?


From the article ---

"...and that it shouldn't have any loopholes."

with dozens of loopholes for the rich.

A few years ago on the eve of my high school reunion, a friend asked if there would be a tribute to Vietnam Vets, as there was at her reunion. I looked at her like she had two heads. No one from my Palos Verdes High School class served in Vietnam. All they guys (George Allen among them) were enjoying college deferments. In the unlikely event someone was actually drafted, a family friend physician or a well-connected politician could make the problem go away.

At my friend's blue collar school, guys were drafted and some of those guys were killed.

A draft would be political suicide for repukes, but if it came to pass, lawmakers would make damn sure that their kids, and the kids of their big contributors - i.e., the wealthy - would be exempt.