I grew up with a couple of sisters… I used † to be seriously unwilling to get into a physical battle with females because they fight DIRTY!! I suspect that’s some of why both the main parties think drafting women is a bad idea.
† Now I’m unwilling on general principles… and because at my age, pretty much ANYBODY could ruin me for what’s left of my life.
Why not? Women are every bit as capable and have fought in every war the US has ever fought (even before it was the US). They had to hide who they were to do it.
During my rather brief military career, I had the pleasure to serve with a lot of different women. To be honest, they were as good if not better than some of the guys I served with.
I think Mr. Two Bulls point is not so much about women being conscripted, but the return of conscription and how the political parties are afraid of a backlash if they approve conscription.
The addition of women means even more families are likely have someone on the firing lines in case of trouble.
Both parties would have to give up money to some of their favorite budget items in order to pay the conscripts.
Why draft anyone; the U.S. capitalist sold out U.S. jobs to foreigners, with the support of both political parties; made most of our homeless population who they are today and are now complaining about them. Now they expect all those people who they took their livelihood away from to fight and die protecting their corporate low to no taxpaying assets. Let them call right after their rich do nothing children and grandchildren have served a year in front line combat. PS as far back in history as I have read women have been fighting for their families survival alongside men, they have showed up quite a few as the cowards they are (tЯumps)!
Traditionally women weren’t warriors because they were needed to repopulate. It made excellent sense when small bands fought one another. We have a surplus of humanity now, I guess.
I have no problem with that, as a woman veteran. Not all men serve in combat roles either, so neither should women. There’s more to the military than soldiers in battle. As, not all women would make it as combat soldiers, neither do all men. With the population the USA has, having everyone serve is unnecessary, as it may be necessary in much smaller nations.
Of course, I also think politician’s families and kids should be drafted before all others. No doctor’s notes from nonmilitary doctors for deferments either. Might make, at least some of them think hard about what war the politicians are getting the rest of us in.
However, Roe vs Wade and so many other laws guaranteeing women’s rights and freedoms should be enshrined in law, before expecting women to be drafted.
Beyond that, we should continue our fight against fascism and not embrace it, as the Republican Party has. Drafting people to conquer other countries as Putin has done should always be off the table.
I can only hope we continue to have Generals that will refuse the illegal orders of a dictator wannabe that tries to order them into participating in a coup to keep them in power.
Today’s military are VOLUNTEERS. They do not want to serve alongside conscripts. Our military has a proud tradition of volunteer, citizen Soldiers. I’ve been around long enough, I served with draftees in the early days. Some served with honor and distinction. Many only did the minimum that they were forced to do. I do NOT want to share a foxhole with someone FORCED to be there.
Regarding women in the military:
I served in the Infantry for seven years, and in an SF unit for another three. All male units. Nowadays Special Ops units cannot do their mission without women. And women have made it through Ranger school. The “good-old boys club” days are gone.
I also served in Military Intelligence units, as a linguist. With women of all ranks and leadership responsibilities. In tactical and strategic assignments. Women are critical to mission success. The same is true throughout the Army and in every other service.
It is my belief that the only real problem women have in the military is having to serve with men.
However, if we are going to have a draft it MUST include women. They can no longer be considered differently than men simply because of their gender.
The draft should be re-instated, with no exemptions or deferments. Not gender-based, not religious-based, not medical-based. No bike-riding through Provence … preaching.
College students get drafted into ROTC, people with medical issues get appropriate care (I’m looking at occult pilonidal cysts, which needed only a one-hour outpatient treatment back in the 1960s.) People with mobility issues, e.g. wheelchair-bound, get assigned to appropriate duty, maybe becoming Radar O’Reilly to Col. Potter.
Claim conscientious-objector status? Fine, we need medics.
In seminary? Great, you can be a real sky-pilot and fly dust-off.
Et Cetera
Et Cetera
Et Cetera
fusilier, watching the winged porkers and listening to CCR’s “Fortunate Son.”
Willie Mays had two years of mandatory service. Elvis too. Mr Mays finished his career with 660 home runs. If he had those 2 years he would have surpassed Babe Ruth. And if he had played someplace other than Candlestick Park it is thought that his total would have approached close to 750.
I would favor a draft for national service. It could be military or for domestic service in our parks or other projects similar to the WPA. I believe a year or two working with a diverse group of fellow citizens would help decrease some of the divisions in our country.
I’m all for women in the military, but it needs fixing so there is no more abuse. It’s bad enough having to overcome comparative size and strength with out having to fight off unwanted sexual advances, and other mental physical/mental abuse.
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member 5 days ago
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.
Fern 5 days ago
Drafting women to fight for foreign countries…demonrats get crazier and crazier.
Concretionist 5 days ago
I grew up with a couple of sisters… I used † to be seriously unwilling to get into a physical battle with females because they fight DIRTY!! I suspect that’s some of why both the main parties think drafting women is a bad idea.
† Now I’m unwilling on general principles… and because at my age, pretty much ANYBODY could ruin me for what’s left of my life.
Walter Kocker Premium Member 5 days ago
Now I know what cognitive dissonance is . . .
Patjade 5 days ago
Why not? Women are every bit as capable and have fought in every war the US has ever fought (even before it was the US). They had to hide who they were to do it.
desvarzil 5 days ago
During my rather brief military career, I had the pleasure to serve with a lot of different women. To be honest, they were as good if not better than some of the guys I served with.
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member 5 days ago
I think Mr. Two Bulls point is not so much about women being conscripted, but the return of conscription and how the political parties are afraid of a backlash if they approve conscription.
The addition of women means even more families are likely have someone on the firing lines in case of trouble.
Both parties would have to give up money to some of their favorite budget items in order to pay the conscripts.
Grandma Lea 4 days ago
Why draft anyone; the U.S. capitalist sold out U.S. jobs to foreigners, with the support of both political parties; made most of our homeless population who they are today and are now complaining about them. Now they expect all those people who they took their livelihood away from to fight and die protecting their corporate low to no taxpaying assets. Let them call right after their rich do nothing children and grandchildren have served a year in front line combat. PS as far back in history as I have read women have been fighting for their families survival alongside men, they have showed up quite a few as the cowards they are (tЯumps)!
Grandma Lea 4 days ago
hwahy-tid sep-uhl-ker, wahy‐ (PS noted to misspell in most languages)
Dangerguy 4 days ago
How about universal service like in Israel. Women, men, people with disabilities (you can work a keyboard even if you can’t walk).
The Nodding Head 4 days ago
Traditionally women weren’t warriors because they were needed to repopulate. It made excellent sense when small bands fought one another. We have a surplus of humanity now, I guess.
GiantShetlandPony 4 days ago
I have no problem with that, as a woman veteran. Not all men serve in combat roles either, so neither should women. There’s more to the military than soldiers in battle. As, not all women would make it as combat soldiers, neither do all men. With the population the USA has, having everyone serve is unnecessary, as it may be necessary in much smaller nations.
Of course, I also think politician’s families and kids should be drafted before all others. No doctor’s notes from nonmilitary doctors for deferments either. Might make, at least some of them think hard about what war the politicians are getting the rest of us in.
However, Roe vs Wade and so many other laws guaranteeing women’s rights and freedoms should be enshrined in law, before expecting women to be drafted.
Beyond that, we should continue our fight against fascism and not embrace it, as the Republican Party has. Drafting people to conquer other countries as Putin has done should always be off the table.
I can only hope we continue to have Generals that will refuse the illegal orders of a dictator wannabe that tries to order them into participating in a coup to keep them in power.
Geezer 4 days ago
Involuntary servitude is always wrong, even if the Government is the perpetrator.
Durak Premium Member 4 days ago
As a 23 year vet I have two comments:
Regarding the draft:
Today’s military are VOLUNTEERS. They do not want to serve alongside conscripts. Our military has a proud tradition of volunteer, citizen Soldiers. I’ve been around long enough, I served with draftees in the early days. Some served with honor and distinction. Many only did the minimum that they were forced to do. I do NOT want to share a foxhole with someone FORCED to be there.
Regarding women in the military:
I served in the Infantry for seven years, and in an SF unit for another three. All male units. Nowadays Special Ops units cannot do their mission without women. And women have made it through Ranger school. The “good-old boys club” days are gone.
I also served in Military Intelligence units, as a linguist. With women of all ranks and leadership responsibilities. In tactical and strategic assignments. Women are critical to mission success. The same is true throughout the Army and in every other service.
It is my belief that the only real problem women have in the military is having to serve with men.
However, if we are going to have a draft it MUST include women. They can no longer be considered differently than men simply because of their gender.
artegal 4 days ago
Equal rights mean equal responsibilities.
fusilier 4 days ago
The draft should be re-instated, with no exemptions or deferments. Not gender-based, not religious-based, not medical-based. No bike-riding through Provence … preaching.
College students get drafted into ROTC, people with medical issues get appropriate care (I’m looking at occult pilonidal cysts, which needed only a one-hour outpatient treatment back in the 1960s.) People with mobility issues, e.g. wheelchair-bound, get assigned to appropriate duty, maybe becoming Radar O’Reilly to Col. Potter.
Claim conscientious-objector status? Fine, we need medics.
In seminary? Great, you can be a real sky-pilot and fly dust-off.
Et Cetera
Et Cetera
Et Cetera
fusilier, watching the winged porkers and listening to CCR’s “Fortunate Son.”
James 2:24
Chazz 4 days ago
All those NRA people seem to love fighting and guns, send them.
Teto85 Premium Member 4 days ago
Willie Mays had two years of mandatory service. Elvis too. Mr Mays finished his career with 660 home runs. If he had those 2 years he would have surpassed Babe Ruth. And if he had played someplace other than Candlestick Park it is thought that his total would have approached close to 750.
mac04416 4 days ago
If your a guy that doesn’t want to register, just identify as a female. No Democrat will fault you.
jim.bullard 4 days ago
I would favor a draft for national service. It could be military or for domestic service in our parks or other projects similar to the WPA. I believe a year or two working with a diverse group of fellow citizens would help decrease some of the divisions in our country.
Scoutmaster77 4 days ago
When I was teacher this led to some interesting class discussions with many twists and turns…
smartgrr 3 days ago
This is only fair but give us back our rights to our own bodies as well.
Drag0nr1der 3 days ago
I’m all for women in the military, but it needs fixing so there is no more abuse. It’s bad enough having to overcome comparative size and strength with out having to fight off unwanted sexual advances, and other mental physical/mental abuse.