I registered for the Selective Service yesterday. As per the law, and according to no less than the SCOTUS my duty. First of all, I do not want to be drafted into any war. Frankly, I do not want anyone to have to fight in a war. The possibility remains, however, in a world that no longer has only two superpowers that conscription might begin again. But This issue has weighed upon me and I shall discuss it...
I registered for the Selective Service yesterday. As per the law, and according to no less than the SCOTUS my duty. First of all, I do not want to be drafted into any war. Frankly, I do not want anyone to have to fight in a war. The possibility remains, however, in a world that no longer has only two superpowers that conscription might begin again.But This issue has weighed upon me and I shall discuss it.
I used to say I'd go to Canada if there was a draft. And now, there are wars and strugles around the globe, and there is no end in sight (thats not pessismism just realism). If the draft is reinstated, and I dont believe that will happen untill its years after we shall need it, then the rich and well-schooled will find exemptions, and the poor minorities will serve. The old will pick the places where the young will die. And the United States will win the military opperations (we are too strong even at our weakest to lose a straight-up fight) but we will either lose the peace (which somedays it appears we are doing in Iraq) or sow the seeds for the troubles that will afflict my generation when we have taken the reins.
I do not want to die in a war I do not believe in, but if the draft is reinstated while I am at college or grad school, then I'll take a deferment until I graduate and then I'll join the Navy officer corps and serve my nation in her time of need albeit in a position that I will not have to kill or order the deaths of anyone no matter if they are my country's enemy.
I do not want to be conscripted, the utter dislike of conscription is hardwired into my Irish heritage (for when we were the second-class citizens of the British Empire just as blacks were in the last drafts that policy was too often targeted against us). I will however do my darnedest to serve my nation, answer its call to service of others, and to ensure that my generation and my progeny's will never have to be involved in a draft any more than the one-minute registration I filled out yesterday.
Democratically Yours,
chasewho
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