Maggie's Farm

I agree about the draft, except that it would drastcally diminish the quality of our armed forces unless there was a built in literacy clinic, rehab and/or fat farm component pre-boot camp.
Also, I was too young but were you drafted or did you volunteer or are you just another tough talking Republican armchair warrior? Go see "Oh What a Lovely War" for the best depiction of old codgers sending young men off to die for them. I have only one kid eligible to serve and would be proud if she did (and God help any of her country's enemies who she encountered.

God bless you. You I'll listen to. I still recommend that movie. Growing up in the UK one was unquestioningly martial (Lifeguards riding their horses past my kitchen window) but also so aware of the casualties of war. Poppy Day in the 1960s when hundreds of old ladies marched to commemorate their husbands and sweethearts killed in WWI.

Just an over-educated Navy brat myself, but not too pampered to appreciate bravery and those who serve their country.

Still don't know how you can stand the macho posturing by guys who weaselled out of the draft themselves.

It's analagous to the way illegals want to influence policies in a country they are not citizens of. You want a voice, pay your dues.
From now on, even if you say something I have my doubts about, I'll remind myself that you have risked far more for our country than I ever have, and allow for the possibility that you, not me, may be right.

And shame on me, but what real woman (old or young) doesn't have a soft spot for a soldier!?)

I agree with you you that a draft should include women. I was speaking historically. It should draw on everyone healthy enough to serve, with no deferrals for education or marriage or rich daddies pulling strings.

Many years ago, when the dinosaurs walked the earth and the rocks were young, when my brother had to register for the draft, our entire family was convulsed with laughter at the sexist stupidity of it. At the time he was a drunken, overweight, out of shape smoking layabout trying to find himself and not at all patriotic. Whereas I had just fought off a couple of muggers, run several marathons, worked two jobs believed in God and country. Everyone knew which of us they would rather be defended by. There was this one slight problem....tho fierce and foolishly brave, I was a tad small. 100 pounds and 5 ' 3". Zero upper body strength. No depth perception. I would have been made a secretary. Tho I can't type worth a damn... We had a dear family friend who served in the Brit Lifeguards in Northern Ireland (driving a tank over there, no plumed hat or horse) and I don't think I measure up to his physical strength or courage.

Don't have a fit, I agree with you that women should serve their country and risk their lives too. But don't get so mad at the past chivalry that kept us safe (not so safe, one of the grandmothers in our family volunteered and served throughout WWII as a Red Cross nurse in the frontlines of N. Africa, another volunteered and drove members of the Polish Resistance thru fierce bombing in London, etc.).

And you might want to reflect that altho Hillary is a jerk, it is because she is a politician, not because (gasp) she didn't behave in proper wifey fashion,or "wears the pants". You can't have it both ways. She's just a craven opportunist. Tho perhaps boot camp would have reformed her?

Most of us humanoids are cowatdly, comfort loving creatures from whom greatness can be drawn by being forced to do the right thing (draft) or by being inspired by an ideal nobler and bigger than ourselves (volunteer). Knowing my own weaknesses, I think it safest to rely on a draft. Just as I think it safest to have a certain amount of taxes forced on me lest my charitable impulses give way to the lust for toys, self-indulgences, i-pods.