Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill

VegasGuy

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Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h109-4752

Dropped this bill in on the low. He wants all your kids in the military, boys and girls alike. Fuck Charlie Rangel. He doesn't have kids to send.

109th U.S. Congress (2005-2006)
H.R. 4752: Universal National Service Act of 2006
Introduced: Feb 14, 2006
Sponsor: Rep. Charles Rangel [D-NY]
Status: Introduced (By Rep. Charles Rangel [D-NY])

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I




109TH CONGRESS
H. R. 4752
2D SESSION


To provide for the common defense by requiring all persons in the United
States, including women, between the ages of 18 and 42 to 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.




IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 14, 2006
Mr. RANGEL introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Armed Services




A BILL
To provide for the common defense by requiring all persons
in the United States, including women, between the ages
of 18 and 42 to perform a period of military service
or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the na-
tional defense and homeland security, and for other pur-
poses.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

4 (a) SHORT TITLE.--This Act may be cited as the
5 ``Universal National Service Act of 2006''.
2
1 (b) TABLE CONTENTS.--The table of contents for
OF

2 this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. National service obligation.
Sec. 3. Two-year period of national service.
Sec. 4. Implementation by the President.
Sec. 5. Induction.
Sec. 6. Deferments and postponements.
Sec. 7. Induction exemptions.
Sec. 8. Conscientious objection.
Sec. 9. Discharge following national service.
Sec. 10. Registration of females under the Military Selective Service Act.
Sec. 11. Relation of Act to registration and induction authority of military se-
lective service Act.
Sec. 12. Definitions.

3 SEC. 2. NATIONAL SERVICE OBLIGATION.

4 (a) OBLIGATION SERVICE.--It is the obligation
FOR

5 of every citizen of the United States, and every other per-
6 son residing in the United States, who is between the ages
7 of 18 and 42 to perform a period of national service as
8 prescribed in this Act unless exempted under the provi-
9 sions of this Act.
10 (b) FORM NATIONAL SERVICE.--National service
OF

11 under this Act shall be performed either--
12 (1) as a member of an active or reserve compo-
13 nent of the uniformed services; or
14 (2) in a civilian capacity that, as determined by
15 the President, promotes the national defense, includ-
16 ing national or community service and homeland se-
17 curity.




HR 4752 IH
3
1 (c) INDUCTION REQUIREMENTS.--The President
2 shall provide for the induction of persons covered by sub-
3 section (a) to perform national service under this Act.
4 (d) SELECTION MILITARY SERVICE.--Based
FOR

5 upon the needs of the uniformed services, the President
6 shall--
7 (1) determine the number of persons covered by
8 subsection (a) whose service is to be performed as a
9 member of an active or reserve component of the
10 uniformed services; and
11 (2) select the individuals among those persons
12 who are to be inducted for military service under
13 this Act.
14 (e) CIVILIAN SERVICE.--Persons covered by sub-
15 section (a) who are not selected for military service under
16 subsection (d) shall perform their national service obliga-
17 tion under this Act in a civilian capacity pursuant to sub-
18 section (b)(2).
19 SEC. 3. TWO-YEAR PERIOD OF NATIONAL SERVICE.

20 (a) GENERAL RULE.--Except as otherwise provided
21 in this section, the period of national service performed
22 by a person under this Act shall be two years.
23 (b) GROUNDS EXTENSION.--At the discretion of
FOR

24 the President, the period of military service for a member




HR 4752 IH
4
1 of the uniformed services under this Act may be ex-
2 tended--
3 (1) with the consent of the member, for the
4 purpose of furnishing hospitalization, medical, or
5 surgical care for injury or illness incurred in line of
6 duty; or
7 (2) for the purpose of requiring the member to
8 compensate for any time lost to training for any
9 cause.
10 (c) EARLY TERMINATION.--The period of national
11 service for a person under this Act shall be terminated
12 before the end of such period under the following cir-
13 cumstances:
14 (1) The voluntary enlistment and active service
15 of the person in an active or reserve component of
16 the uniformed services for a period of at least two
17 years, in which case the period of basic military
18 training and education actually served by the person
19 shall be counted toward the term of enlistment.
20 (2) The admission and service of the person as
21 a cadet or midshipman at the United States Military
22 Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the
23 United States Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard
24 Academy, or the United States Merchant Marine
25 Academy.


HR 4752 IH
5
1 (3) The enrollment and service of the person in
2 an officer candidate program, if the person has
3 signed an agreement to accept a Reserve commission
4 in the appropriate service with an obligation to serve
5 on active duty if such a commission is offered upon
6 completion of the program.
7 (4) Such other grounds as the President may
8 establish.
9 SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION BY THE PRESIDENT.

10 (a) IN GENERAL.--The President shall prescribe
11 such regulations as are necessary to carry out this Act.
12 (b) MATTER BE COVERED REGULATIONS.--
TO BY

13 Such regulations shall include specification of the fol-
14 lowing:
15 (1) The types of civilian service that may be
16 performed for a person's national service obligation
17 under this Act.
18 (2) Standards for satisfactory performance of
19 civilian service and of penalties for failure to per-
20 form civilian service satisfactorily.
21 (3) The manner in which persons shall be se-
22 lected for induction under this Act, including the
23 manner in which those selected will be notified of
24 such selection.




HR 4752 IH
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1 (4) All other administrative matters in connec-
2 tion with the induction of persons under this Act
3 and the registration, examination, and classification
4 of such persons.
5 (5) A means to determine questions or claims
6 with respect to inclusion for, or exemption or
7 deferment from induction under this Act, including
8 questions of conscientious objection.
9 (6) Standards for compensation and benefits
10 for persons performing their national service obliga-
11 tion under this Act through civilian service.
12 (7) Such other matters as the President deter-
13 mines necessary to carry out this Act.
14 (c) USE PRIOR ACT.--To the extent determined
OF

15 appropriate by the President, the President may use for
16 purposes of this Act the procedures provided in the Mili-
17 tary Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.),
18 including procedures for registration, selection, and induc-
19 tion.
20 SEC. 5. INDUCTION.

21 (a) IN GENERAL.--Every person subject to induction
22 for national service under this Act, except those whose
23 training is deferred or postponed in accordance with this
24 Act, shall be called and inducted by the President for such
25 service at the time and place specified by the President.


HR 4752 IH
7
1 (b) AGE LIMITS.--A person may be inducted under
2 this Act only if the person has attained the age of 18 and
3 has not attained the age of 42.
4 (c) VOLUNTARY INDUCTION.--A person subject to in-
5 duction under this Act may volunteer for induction at a
6 time other than the time at which the person is otherwise
7 called for induction.
8 (d) EXAMINATION; CLASSIFICATION.--Every person
9 subject to induction under this Act shall, before induction,
10 be physically and mentally examined and shall be classified
11 as to fitness to perform national service. The President
12 may apply different classification standards for fitness for
13 military service and fitness for civilian service.
14 SEC. 6. DEFERMENTS AND POSTPONEMENTS.

15 (a) HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.--A person who is pur-
16 suing a standard course of study, on a full-time basis, in
17 a secondary school or similar institution of learning shall
18 be entitled to have induction under this Act postponed
19 until the person--
20 (1) obtains a high school diploma;
21 (2) ceases to pursue satisfactorily such course
22 of study; or
23 (3) attains the age of 20.
24 (b) HARDSHIP DISABILITY.--Deferments from
AND

25 national service under this Act may be made for--


HR 4752 IH
8
1 (1) extreme hardship; or
2 (2) physical or mental disability.
3 (c) TRAINING CAPACITY.--The President may post-
4 pone or suspend the induction of persons for military serv-
5 ice under this Act as necessary to limit the number of per-
6 sons receiving basic military training and education to the
7 maximum number that can be adequately trained.
8 (d) TERMINATION.--No deferment or postponement
9 of induction under this Act shall continue after the cause
10 of such deferment or postponement ceases.
11 SEC. 7. INDUCTION EXEMPTIONS.

12 (a) QUALIFICATIONS.--No person may be inducted
13 for military service under this Act unless the person is
14 acceptable to the Secretary concerned for training and
15 meets the same health and physical qualifications applica-
16 ble under section 505 of title 10, United States Code, to
17 persons seeking original enlistment in a regular compo-
18 nent of the Armed Forces.
19 (b) OTHER MILITARY SERVICE.--No person shall be
20 liable for induction under this Act who--
21 (1) is serving, or has served honorably for at
22 least six months, in any component of the uniformed
23 services on active duty; or
24 (2) is or becomes a cadet or midshipman at the
25 United States Military Academy, the United States


HR 4752 IH
9
1 Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Acad-
2 emy, the Coast Guard Academy, the United States
3 Merchant Marine Academy, a midshipman of a Navy
4 accredited State maritime academy, a member of the
5 Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, or the
6 naval aviation college program, so long as that per-
7 son satisfactorily continues in and completes at least
8 two years training therein.
9 SEC. 8. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION.

10 (a) CLAIMS CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR.--Noth-
AS

11 ing in this Act shall be construed to require a person to
12 be subject to combatant training and service in the uni-
13 formed services, if that person, by reason of sincerely held
14 moral, ethical, or religious beliefs, is conscientiously op-
15 posed to participation in war in any form.
16 (b) ALTERNATIVE NONCOMBATANT CIVILIAN
OR

17 SERVICE.--A person who claims exemption from combat-
18 ant training and service under subsection (a) and whose
19 claim is sustained by the local board shall--
20 (1) be assigned to noncombatant service (as de-
21 fined by the President), if the person is inducted
22 into the uniformed services; or
23 (2) be ordered by the local board, if found to
24 be conscientiously opposed to participation in such
25 noncombatant service, to perform national civilian


HR 4752 IH
10
1 service for the period specified in section 3(a) and
2 subject to such regulations as the President may
3 prescribe.
4 SEC. 9. DISCHARGE FOLLOWING NATIONAL SERVICE.

5 (a) DISCHARGE.--Upon completion or termination of
6 the obligation to perform national service under this Act,
7 a person shall be discharged from the uniformed services
8 or from civilian service, as the case may be, and shall not
9 be subject to any further service under this Act.
10 (b) COORDINATION WITH OTHER AUTHORITIES.--
11 Nothing in this section shall limit or prohibit the call to
12 active service in the uniformed services of any person who
13 is a member of a regular or reserve component of the uni-
14 formed services.
15 SEC. 10. REGISTRATION OF FEMALES UNDER THE MILI-

16 TARY SELECTIVE SERVICE ACT.

17 (a) REGISTRATION REQUIRED.--Section 3(a) of the
18 Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 453(a)) is
19 amended--
20 (1) by striking ``male'' both places it appears;
21 (2) by inserting ``or herself'' after ``himself'';
22 and
23 (3) by striking ``he'' and inserting ``the per-
24 son''.




HR 4752 IH
11
1 (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.--Section 16(a) of
2 the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 466(a))
3 is amended by striking ``men'' and inserting ``persons''.
4 SEC. 11. RELATION OF ACT TO REGISTRATION AND INDUC-

5 TION AUTHORITY OF MILITARY SELECTIVE

6 SERVICE ACT.

7 (a) REGISTRATION.--Section 4 of the Military Selec-
8 tive Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 454) is amended by in-
9 serting after subsection (g) the following new subsection:
10 ``(h) This section does not apply with respect to the
11 induction of persons into the Armed Forces pursuant to
12 the Universal National Service Act of 2006.''.
13 (b) INDUCTION.--Section 17(c) of the Military Selec-
14 tive Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 467(c)) is amended by
15 striking ``now or hereafter'' and all that follows through
16 the period at the end and inserting ``inducted pursuant
17 to the Universal National Service Act of 2006.''.
18 SEC. 12. DEFINITIONS.

19 In this Act:
20 (1) The term ``military service'' means service
21 performed as a member of an active or reserve com-
22 ponent of the uniformed services.
23 (2) The term ``Secretary concerned'' means the
24 Secretary of Defense with respect to the Army,
25 Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, the Secretary


HR 4752 IH
12
1 of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast
2 Guard, the Secretary of Commerce, with respect to
3 matters concerning the National Oceanic and At-
4 mospheric Administration, and the Secretary of
5 Health and Human Services, with respect to matters
6 concerning the Public Health Service.
7 (3) The term ``United States'', when used in a
8 geographical sense, means the several States, the
9 District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Is-
10 lands, and Guam.
11 (4) The term ``uniformed services'' means the
12 Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard,
13 commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and At-
14 mospheric Administration, and commissioned corps
15 of the Public Health Service.



HR 4752 IH

-VG
 
Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

Sounds good to me. Maybe dumb fucks won't be so quick to elect warmongers if they know they are putting their kids at risk.
 
Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

<font size="5"><center>United States Poised
To Implement Mandatory Draft?</font swize></center>


Written by Staff
Monday, 05 June 2006

United States Congressman Charles Rangel (Dem/NY) re-introduced a bill in February, 2006 which if passed will implement a mandatory military draft for all men and women in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 42.

Titled the 'Universal National Service Act of 2006', the bill will be introduced on Tuesday June 6, 2006 in the next sitting of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The purpose of a mandatory draft bill is, "to provide for the common defense by requiring all persons in the United States, including women, between the ages of 18 and 42 to 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."

Rangel first introduced the draft legislation in January 2003 but the bill was defeated in October of 2004. Rengel stated, "The longer we stay in Iraq and the more Americans are killed, and the less attractive military service appears to potential recruits, the closer the country will move toward a decision on the draft."

http://www.halifaxlive.com/content/view/755/2/
 
Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

To VegasGuy:
I feel you on this matter. I have kids, both male and female, and I do not want them to put up with the same BS I went through in the military. However!

Two points, even though we don't have a draft per se, why do you think all males must register on their 18th birthday?

Secondly, having a ready military and civilian force trained and prepared to deal with the terrorists attacks coming our way, makes a lot of sense, maybe not now, but things like Katrina, and the day someone sets off some device in a mass transit scene, a prepared and trained response will be needed and welcomed.

Failing to prepare for the inevitable, is the height of stupidity. Case in point, New Orleans, and Houston. Not to mention, our border which seems to be of significant concern.

While we are talking about stupidity, let us not forget 9/11. One SHOT GUN, in the cockpit of each of those four airplanes, would have save thousands of lives and many millions of dollars, additionally, we would not now be in Iraq. Which by the way is costing you and I Billions of dollars, with NO END IN SIGHT.

Need a math major to step up and calculate this problem.

Four shot guns costing less than a grand, versus what it has cost us in lives and untold billions hmmmm. Don’t know about anyone else, but seems like a wash to me.
 
Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

Doesn't surprise me. I have said this in the past, and individuals on this board said I was wrong and a conspiracy theorist. :cool:

It will pass. We have to many coming battles to fight. :yes:
 
Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

mon-Pic_Passport.jpg
 
Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

Makeherhappy said:
Doesn't surprise me. I have said this in the past, and individuals on this board said I was wrong and a conspiracy theorist. :cool:

It will pass. We have to many coming battles to fight. :yes:

I remember somebody either called into a show or sent an email to one of the news shows about the draft. The host dismissed the person's concerns as being untrue and sort of laughed at it. Fast forward a few years later and we face the possibility of a draft being instated. Just a few years ago, you could get laughed at not for saying a draft will happen, but just for saying there's a possibility of one happening. Now we face the possibility of a draft. Ironic?
 
Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

African Herbsman said:
Sounds good to me. Maybe dumb fucks won't be so quick to elect warmongers if they know they are putting their kids at risk.
Word. Too many fools over here are sitting comfortable in their pro-war stance. It'll be a whole different story if they are expected to go over there also.
 
Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

Once again proof that Democrats want draft

And that Republicans don't want draft.


The only person who keeps trying to slip in bills and reinstate draft is Charles Rangel [Democrat]. You need to get rid of this guy. He's dangerous.


But what's amazing is how the Democrats won't censure him, or take him to task for it, because they are hoping privately that one of these times he succeeds in getting it past the Republicans, because they feel it would help them politically.

He wants to take the military back in time, as well as hurt young people. I volunteered to be in the military. I have a brother who also volunteered. We don't want to serve with people who didn't volunteer. It just gets in the way.

The Republicans don't want a draft.
The Republicans are the ones who put down his attempts before.
 
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Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

Repubs (esp the rich ones who are usually the ones who are always pro-war) don't want a draft because they don't want their family members being eligible and sent to war.

Poor people have less options. Which makes it more probable they would join the Military.

Rich people dont have to go that route, but if there were a draft then they would have to go too.

I'm not pro draft by any means but I see where Rangel is going with this.
 
Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

Kratos said:
Repubs (esp the rich ones who are usually the ones who are always pro-war) don't want a draft because they don't want their family members being eligible and sent to war.
This makes no sense. Their families are already eligible to be sent to war.

As long as they are in the correct age range, their family members can go join and fight all they want.

Poor people have less options. Which makes it more probable they would join the Military.
Yes poor people have less options.

But being poor does not make you join the military.

Most people who are poor never go anywhere near a recruiter's office. No. No one makes you join. If you join it's because you WANT to.

Rich people dont have to go that route, but if there were a draft then they would have to go too.
False. During the draft, rich people didn't have to go, and many of them didn't.

Just as with taxes, there are always loopholes out for the rich.

I'm not pro draft by any means but I see where Rangel is going with this.
I see where Rangel is going with this too.
He's going for a partisan political victory for the Democrats at the expense of freedoms of our youth.
 
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Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

The Dark Mind said:
He's [Rangel]going for a partisan political victory for the Democrats at the expense of freedoms of our youth.
You may be right about Rangel, but I think you're wrong.

I think Rangel is trying to make a point, maybe several points. First, he's playing politics with the Republicans and the war in Iraq. If there are fewer volunteers coming in, so long as the war continues and we have to maintain all other commitments, a draft might be inevitable. I say you're wrong because the democrats can't alone enact a draft -- they would have to have republican support. Rangel knows that and Contrary to what you said, I think the democrats know that being the party that re-enacted the draft would hurt that party far more than it could help. Likewise, republicans aren't going to support it because having to go to a draft now would smell, if not look like, a republican failure on Iraq. So, Rangel is just puffing.

The other point Rangel appears to be making is that rich boys and the sons of the elite really don't serve in great numbers. And, when many do, they get assigned to national guard units, spend a lot of government money learning to be fighter pilots but get assigned to work in someone's political campaign before ever heading off to war -- all while still serving their country. If a draft is ever re-enacted, I feel certain that Rangel is laying the foundation for a draft of few, if any, exceptions. The overall point being, if the sons of the elite have to be drafted and serve just as a poorer man would, the elite (at least enough in congress if not the president himself) really would think more than once before contemplating the invasion of other countries, on questionable-and-possibly-selectively used intelligence.

QueEx
 
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Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

This makes no sense. Their families are already eligible to be sent to war.

As long as they are in the correct age range, their family members can go join and fight all they want.
I didn't say eligible to be sent to war. I said eligible AND sent to war. Due to draft status.

False. During the draft, rich people didn't have to go, and many of them didn't.

Just as with taxes, there are always loopholes out for the rich.
Well we'd just have to see how it would go down this time now wouldn't we?

And sure poor people don't have to enlist. You can choose to ignore the reasoning of many who are poor who do enlist if you wish. But it's often more than just good ole american patriotism.
 
Some injured GIs decide to stay in Iraq

Some injured GIs decide to stay in Iraq
By RYAN LENZ, Associated Press Writer
26 minutes ago

MAHMOUDIYA, Iraq - Parallel scars running down 1st Sgt. Rick Skidis' calf tell the story of how he nearly lost his leg when a roadside bomb blew through the door of his armored Humvee.

The blast shredded muscle, ligament and tendon, leaving Skidis in a daze as medics and fellow soldiers rushed to help him. Skidis remembers little of that day last November except someone warning him that when he woke, his foot might be gone.

After five months and six surgeries, the foot remains intact but causes Skidis haunting numbness and searing pain caused by nerve damage.

Skidis, 36, of Sullivan, Ill., fought through the surgeries and therapy to return in April to Iraq, conducting the same type of patrols that nearly killed him.

He is not an exception.

Nearly 18,000 military personnel have been wounded in combat since the war began in Iraq more than three years ago, according to Defense Department statistics. Some have lost legs and arms, suffered horrific burns to their bodies and gone home permanently.

But the vast majority have remained in Iraq or returned later — their bodies marked by small scars and their lives plagued by aches and pains.

"I wear my scars proudly," said Skidis as he gingerly lifted his pant leg to show the railroad-like tracks where doctors made incisions to save his foot. Why didn't he stay home? "I felt guilty because I wasn't sharing the same hardships that they were," Skidis said shyly, while another soldier nodded at his side.

For some soldiers in Iraq, it was a roadside blast that muffled their hearing or peppered their body in shrapnel. Others have been ripped by gunfire, sometimes leaving them with jabbing pains in their limbs and compromised movement.

Their wounds are often similar but there are many reasons for remaining at war when their wounds are a ticket home.

Some can't imagine any other job than being a soldier. Some know no other life. Others, like Skidis, feel the guilt, an obligation to their fellow soldiers.

Staff Sgt. Katherine Yocom-Delgado, 28, of Brooklyn, N.Y., lost 70 percent of the hearing in her left ear weeks ago when an artillery shell landed just a few feet away from her. Her teeth still hurt and she has frequent headaches, especially in the morning.

Yocom-Delgado tilts her head when she listens to people talk.

But she hasn't considered leaving — the wounds are not as important as the mission.

"I'm alive and I'm happy to be alive," she said with a smile. "I don't hurt every day."

As a woman, Yocom-Delgado represents just two percent of those injured in Iraq, a figure she quotes and has read in new articles. It's an odd distinction, she said, just her luck.

Spc. Steven Clark's luck is worse. The 25-year-old has been shot three times and wounded by shrapnel from a grenade that tore into his legs and back. He has been awarded three purple hearts — a fourth is on the way — and a bronze star with valor.

His friends have nicknamed him "Bullet Magnet" — but he won't consider leaving.

Clark, of Fitzgerald, Ga., says getting wounded was a mistake and his pain is punishment for letting people down. He won't show the scars on his calf or shoulder or back. He calls the attacks "incidents."

"I have pains. I have numbness from nerve damage. But it's just something I'm going to have to live with," Clark said. "I'm not going to change what I am just because it's dangerous."

Soldiers in the battalion, the 502nd Infantry Regiment of the Army's 101st Airborne Division, have been struck by more than 230 roadside bombs since they arrived in Iraq last October, leaving 15 dead. They've discovered about 350 more on the roads that crisscross their swath of desert.

More than 100 of the soldiers have been wounded, mostly on patrols in their sector south of Baghdad where Shiite and Sunni Arab tribes often clash with coalition forces. Twenty-seven of those wounded were evacuated from Iraq and remain at hospitals in the United States.

Pfc. Salvadore Bertolone, 21, of Ortonville, Mich., was injured when a roadside bomb blew glass shards into his face and arm. A scar curls down his cheek, but he dismisses his injury.

There are perks to staying in the fight after an injury, he said.

"I get free license plates for the rest of my life," Bertolone said. "And I've got people who are definitely going to be buying me drinks when I get home."

Though proud of their fellow soldiers, medics fear long-term health problems lie ahead.

"The soldiers here are so focused on staying in the fight that they suck up the pain and push through," said Capt. Dennison Segui, 33, a medic and physician's assistant from Browns Mills, N.J. "I know I'm busy here, but I'm nowhere near as busy as I will be when we get back."

Many of the injured soldiers have begged their commanders to let them come back. One soldier was sent home after a bomb exploded in his face and damaged his eyes. He likely will never return to Iraq, but still asks. Another was sent home because of a heart condition, but returned to Iraq three times, according to Lt. Col. Thomas Kunk, a commander in the 502nd Infantry Regiment.

Kunk, who is not a doctor, decides every week which wounded soldiers can return to duty. Often the soldiers research regulations and argue endlessly, he said.

It's heartbreaking when he has to say no, but he does.

"Sometimes there's too much 'Hooah!' in us guys," Kunk said. While he doesn't want to dampen that enthusiasm, he said, "I don't want to hurt the guy the rest of his life."

Kunk has injuries of his own, so he understands a soldier's conviction to fight. His leg swells and throbs by the end of the day, the lingering effect of a roadside bomb that damaged nerves and muscle. But he, too, won't think of leaving.

"I'm a father. Heck, I'm a grandpa to be honest with you. So I just kind of look at it from that perspective," said Kunk, 48. "I want to do right by them."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060610...i5I2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA--
 
Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

My father was drafted and didn't wanna go. But came to love the military while he was there. The comradarie and all that. I can understand peeps having a desire to stay once they have been in the mix for a minute. You build friendships and become infused with a warrior's spirit. It can be hard to walk away from that.

What sucks is when they get back they rarely get the true respect they deserve.
 
Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

oneofmany said:
I remember somebody either called into a show or sent an email to one of the news shows about the draft. The host dismissed the person's concerns as being untrue and sort of laughed at it. Fast forward a few years later and we face the possibility of a draft being instated. Just a few years ago, you could get laughed at not for saying a draft will happen, but just for saying there's a possibility of one happening. Now we face the possibility of a draft. Ironic?

That's funny you say that. I watch Washington Journal, on Cspan, on a regular, and periodically callers call in talking about the draft. And everytime, either the hosts or the guest talk it down.

We seem to be focusing on terrorism and not communism/terrorism together.
 
Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

Rangel has been open about his ambitions from day one. He has stated that if politicians and the ruling elite had a stake in war via thier children being made to fight in it, we would less likely vote for a war. In his first iteration of draft re-enstatement, he noted that only ONE of the 535 congressmen had a child in the active military. His bill eradicates ANY AND ALL excuses due to non-health related reasons. That is why he did it. He is a combat veteran himself, and from what I have witnessed in life, I agree with the quote from Ike that "No One Hates War More Than a Veteran of One".
 
Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

Personally, I think that it is mere politics. And dumb politics, at that.

First of all, Rangel will try to tell people who will object to this that it is only due to the fact that they don't want their children to go and fight in a war. He will go on and say that only poor people go to the Army and that the rich people do not want to institute the draft to save their own children.

Now, here's my problem:

1. The Armed Forces are volunteers. No one goes to the Armed Forces that didn't want to go. I have a brother in the Armed Forces. He wanted to go. He could have went to work somewhere. He could have went to college. He could have done nothing. No, he wanted to go and he went. Now many people go to the Armed Forces to take advantage of the GI Bill and other opportunities, but that's their choice.

2. Rich people really don't go off to war in a draft. C'mon- George Bush grew up rich... did he go off to war? Name one person who was rich that went to war merely because they was drafted? Elvis? And where was he stationed? Some place air-conditioned, I bet.

See, to implement a draft will definitely reap racist social benefits for those who want to keep black people down. They will definitely make sure that young black males will die on the battlefield in greater numbers than they are on the streets. Damn Democrats! Always trying to keep us reliant on the government. This is the kind of stuff that will ensure a Republican majority for years to come. Sad!


tian
 
Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

Lots of Black people and others have benefited from joining the armed forces. At a time of war, people have second thoughts. You are faced with imminent danger in the face of your worst enemy. In the case of the draft, there are options on what branch, field, jobs of the military you will be drafted for based on your testing on the ASFAB. Not really a choice, but also, you figure mandatory enlistment two years..could lead to alot longer so if it does pass, wow!!
 
Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

QueEx said:
You may be right about Rangel, but I think you're wrong.

I think Rangel is trying to make a point, maybe several points. First, he's playing politics with the Republicans and the war in Iraq. If there are fewer volunteers coming in, so long as the war continues and we have to maintain all other commitments, a draft might be inevitable. I say you're wrong because the democrats can't alone enact a draft -- they would have to have republican support. Rangel knows that and Contrary to what you said, I think the democrats know that being the party that re-enacted the draft would hurt that party far more than it could help. Likewise, republicans aren't going to support it because having to go to a draft now would smell, if not look like, a republican failure on Iraq. So, Rangel is just puffing.

The other point Rangel appears to be making is that rich boys and the sons of the elite really don't serve in great numbers. And, when many do, they get assigned to national guard units, spend a lot of government money learning to be fighter pilots but get assigned to work in someone's political campaign before ever heading off to war -- all while still serving their country. If a draft is ever re-enacted, I feel certain that Rangel is laying the foundation for a draft of few, if any, exceptions. The overall point being, if the sons of the elite have to be drafted and serve just as a poorer man would, the elite (at least enough in congress if not the president himself) really would think more than once before contemplating the invasion of other countries, on questionable-and-possibly-selectively used intelligence.

QueEx



I agree with QueEx. That's the point that Rangel was making...but I think (if you read the whole bill) that there is a bigger issue at hand. If this bill passes, those eligible for the draft would be between the ages of 18 to 42, a pregnant woman or a woman with small children are not exempt from being drafted..I think this bill is part of a bigger picture. Here is the thread I started on the main board concerning this bill: http://64.255.174.200/board/showthread.php?t=108511. I would have been better off posting it here rather than the main board.
 
Re: Charlie Rangel Sneaks in DRAFT bill.

SuperGenius said:
I agree with QueEx. That's the point that Rangel was making...but I think (if you read the whole bill) that there is a bigger issue at hand. If this bill passes, those eligible for the draft would be between the ages of 18 to 42, a pregnant woman or a woman with small children are not exempt from being drafted..I think this bill is part of a bigger picture. Here is the thread I started on the main board concerning this bill: http://64.255.174.200/board/showthread.php?t=108511. I would have been better off posting it here rather than the main board.

I know Rangel wants to make a point but for a bill like this, Rangel doesn't have the final say on it. What do you think will happen to this DRAFT bill if and when it makes it out of the conference committee? You think rich people and people of privedge will be drafted?

Trust me, it will look almost exactly as the current draft bill looks because it too has tons of stipulations for jokers to avoid the draft. The people that will be MOST affected by this are the same people he claims he's leveling the playing field for. And those in NY who voted to put Rangel back in office should thank him when the draft comes.

-VG
 
William Cohen Suggests Implementing "Universal Service" to "Put Us On a War Footin

Republican Guest Suggests Implementing "Universal Service" to "Put Us On a War Footing"
Reported by Marie Therese - August 24, 2006 - 56 comments


William Cohen, a Republican and former Secretary of Defense under Clinton, appeared on this morning's FOX & Friends First. They gave him two segments ostensibly to speak about the Middle East and to plug his new novel. However, at the end of the second segment, host Brian Kilmeade asked a question and got an answer that made me wonder about the Bush administration's next steps in its ongoing fear mongering campaign.

WILLIAM COHEN: "... What we need in this war against terror - which I would prefer to call it (sic) 'a long twilight struggle' to use John Kennedy's phrase - a long twilight struggle against terrorism - you need better intelligence, better police work, covert activity, special forces, if necessary, ultimately military. But it's going to be through police work and the sharing of intelligence, that we'll be able to help defend us against attacks which are inevitably going to come."

BRIAN KILMEADE: "Hey, Mr. Secretary, finally, do you think in the next ten years we're going to be looking at some type of draft because we seem to need - have so many conflicts to cover?"

WILLIAM COHEN: "I'm not sure there'll be a draft. I think there should be a commitment to universal service. I think that only a few people are really committed to this war against terrorism and called. I think the American people have to be - understand - that we're all in this together. We ought to have a real call to national service to commit ourselves to some form of public service ...."

STEVE DOOCY (off screen): "Got ya'."

COHEN: "... helping out at homes, health care, nurses, etc. But something has to be done ..."

KILMEADE: "Something's got to be done."

COHEN: "... to put us on a war footing mentality. We're not there."

DOOCY: "Alright."

COMMENT
Was FOX News acting as a White House surrogate, floating a trial balloon in an attempt to get feedback from FOX viewers on how the Republican base would react to the idea of a draft?

Or were the F&F co-hosts expecting a different response from Cohen and caught off guard by his answer?

Whatever the correct interpretation, the draft - oops! - "universal service" - has certainly been moved to the foreground by this exchange.
 
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