What Is My Role?

[talktooloose]

I continue to feel melancholy. My left knee is bugging the fuck out of me and, as with any infirmity I experience, this makes for a delicious blend of anger and depression. Also, it's moving day. I started at this company as a temp in November 1999 and was hired the following March. My first day was the day that seven of us moved into this suite. Today, 17 of us move to new digs and I'm feeling oddly nostalgic and unsettled. I don't like moving. I've only lived in three houses in my 41 years.

Anyway, the above paragraph is just a check-in on my state of mind. I'm really writing my response to yesterday's entry about the potential American draft and, more specifically, to epanastatis's reply, linking me to this entry of his.

Part of my brain also likes the idea of a general draft. Why? I really like the notion that the general populace of America could be thrown into discussions it...

Oh, I have to pack and leave now. I'll try again on the weekend.

Long weekend.

Victoria Day Monday.

Puppy's first trip on the subway.

Snake and I celebrate our 16th anniversary.

Inside/Out Lesbigay filmfest.

Sleep.

Comments

[goodall.livejournal.com]

You like the idea of a general draft, huh? So you would agree with being drafted to fight an unnecessary war, then, or a war you didn't believe in?
Because once you are drafted, you belong to the government, and become cannon fodder as they see fit.

BTW--if you're LGBT in the US military, imagine how long you have to spend lying, pretending, and going insane hiding everything you are to serve your nation that sees you as second class. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of respect for the LGBT people who do volunteer to serve in the military...but it ain't for everyone, and the US is not Israel.

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

Ooh, you're hot for a scrap! I didn't even finish my sentence! I'll try to find time to write my thoughts on Saturday, though it may be Sunday night before I get the chance.

Then the gloves are off! Ruff! Ruff! as my puppy says.

[goodall.livejournal.com]

Hey man...the only way we get to know people on LJ is through their words.

I believe that kids, upon graduating high school or completing their undergrad education, should do at least two years of volunteer service for the nation, whether it is in education, public works, resource management, firefighting, etc etc...that type of draft I would support.

If we had a war--a REAL war, where people are invading or bombing our country repeatedly and we had to fight to the death--of course there should be a draft. (I am sure a lot of people would volunteer to fight in this situation as well.)

But for now, at this time, a draft is not necessary. If our government was smart, they would watch China and get out of the Middle East altogether.

[corduroyarmy.livejournal.com]

You know, I would have said that war would be the worst time to start a draft. Not a whole lot of objectivity in people's minds, and too many statistics and changing priorities.

conscription

[briseur.livejournal.com]

If the country's being attacked, one doesn't NEED a draft. In '42 when the Japanese were bombing Darwin, the Aussies held a plebiscite & voted against conscription. 75% of the eligible population signed up anyway.
Bottom line is, if the potential soldiers don't think a country's worth defendin', it ain't worth defendin'.