Rep. Charlie Rangel (in photo), D-N.Y., a Korean War veteran, has been calling for a renewed draft for several years, and while bringing back the draft doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance politically, it deserves serious debate.
Most Americans haven’t been directly affected by this war. And I think that’s dangerous and disgraceful. When nothing in our daily lives changes because of a national war, something’s wrong.
No raised taxes. For many of us, there’s no chance of our kids being sent to serve.
In short, no shared sacrifice.
Why not launch a foreign adventure? Why not give the president a blank check? Why not “stay the course”? Doesn’t affect me.
An all-volunteer force helps shield Congress and the president from public debate and the consequences of waging war.
Only in the face of massive incompetence and failure have Americans finally begun to say, “Enough.”
Bring back the draft. There’s no doubt we’d have fewer wars if politicians had to send their kids. And when we did go to war, it’s more likely we’d be united and committed as a nation to win. And in the case of a disastrous war like Vietnam or Iraq, it’s more likely we’d get out sooner.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
A plan to temporarily boost troop levels in Iraq, followed by a sharp reduction, is gaining favor at the Pentagon, the Washington Post reported. U.S. forces might increase by 20,000 to 30,000 for a short period to try to curtail violence, then might be reduced by as many as 100,000. The stated purpose of the plan would be to focus on training and advising Iraqi forces. But the shift, the Post noted, could also be akin to Michael Jackson’s moonwalk dance move, in which we appear to be moving forward while we’re actually sliding in reverse.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Before Time magazine announces its Person of the Year, it is passing along some past persons’ nominations. AIDS researcher David Ho (1996) made the provocative suggestion of a trio of “Peacebreakers of the Year”: North Korea’s Kim Jong Il, Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the United States’ George W. Bush. Former Enron vice president Sherron Watkins (among three honored whistle-blowers in 2002) nominated the “Illegal Immigrant.” CNN founder Ted Turner chose former Vice President Al Gore. Army medic Billie Grimes (2003, featured among honored U.S. troops) suggested the magazine pay tribute to fallen American service members. Last year, the winners were global do-gooders Bill and Melinda Gates and Bono (in photo).
Time’s online poll includes some of the above candidates, as well as Nancy Pelosi, Condoleezza Rice, Hugo Chavez and “the YouTube guys.” Who should be the Person of the Year? Who will be the Person of the Year?
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Sex offenders are the latest political pariah, as witnessed in this past attorney general race. But Iowa officials warned Kansas lawmakers last week that piling restrictions on sex offenders can harm rather than help public safety. Some Kansas lawmakers have advocated prohibiting sex offenders from living within a certain distance — such as 1,000 feet or 1,500 feet — of schools and day care centers. But the Iowa officials said that similar restrictions in their state ended up forcing sex offenders into rural areas where it is difficult to keep track of them. Not coincidentally, the number of unaccounted-for sex offenders in Iowa has doubled since the law went into effect last year. The officials also argued that rules are misdirected, in that most sex crimes against children are committed by a relative or acquaintance, not by a stranger who snatches a child from a school playground. Kansas would be better off, the Iowa officials said, putting it efforts into treatment of sex offenders and educational programs for young children.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
For a guy whose side won, Democratic strategist James Carville has been awfully grumpy about the Nov. 7 election results. Carville set off a party feud by saying of Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean: “I would describe his leadership as Rumsfeldian in its incompetence.” Some think Carville was attacking Dean and his 50-state party-building strategy on behalf of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., whose presidential run likely would involve Carville. Meanwhile, Carville’s GOP adviser spouse, Mary Matalin, may be feeling at loose ends, having predicted that the GOP would hold the House and the Senate and having been expected to work on the 2008 presidential campaign of defeated Sen. George Allen, R-Va.
At least one part of the odd couple’s future is not in doubt: They will headline the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting and community event Dec. 5 at Century II. For tickets, call 316-265-7771.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
