Sponsor of H.R. 3598

Dear Sir,

I put H.R.3598 in total DISFAVOR.  We must not be willing to reinstate the draft.  I find it hard to believe you would even consider it.

We are making mistakes and are overextending our military.  Our current efforts in Afghanistan have only proven we are capable of winning a war against a starving third world country, while spending millions and millions. Our military is deployed all over the world and I am ever dubious of the reasons for most of these operations. 

Now you plan to overextend our personnel resources even more by forcing those who are not voluntarily entering military service to do so.  This is simply not acceptable. This option must be used in only the most dire of times, like needing troops to defend our home turf.

Throwing more bodies at the war effort will not solve the issues.  We need to first accept that the issues or reasons behind these military efforts in Afghanistan have more to do with control of the Caspian oil reserves than the hunting of a suspected terrorist mastermind.  There is an obvious agenda here to use our military might to once again muscle our way into a country and/or a region to get what we want.  No wonder the world hates us for our imperialistic, predatory ways and our continuous hypocrisy. 

This will spiral out of control if we proceed in this proposed way.  It can only lead to complete ruin.  Why can't we have a leader or two in the world who  can see outside the box.  This planet needs a new plan. 

The military way has never, will never, and currently is not solving our problems. However it does serve a select few who always profit from war.  They see no problem throwing bodies at this war...it's been done before and it is happening again.  Stop it while you can and do something revolutionary.

Thank you,

Barre L. Lequin

Oregon City, OR

Date: 1/26/02 4:30:13 PM Pacific Standard Time

Kent, In regards to the new mandatory draft bill. I am definitely against it. Our ability to communicate has enabled us to get ahead of the "little boy and the dike". We have been able to speak before the holes are plugged. (soon to change though)

Anyway, it has been proven that our soldiers are the handiest means of having a ready group of experimental subjects--from A to Z including nuclear, biological, and everything else we might or might not know about. Not for my kids.

Date: 1/26/02 11:14:40 AM Pacific Standard Time

I don't know why you find it so bad for compulsury military service for the youth of the country. Here in Denver as well as in most parts of the country, most of these kids NEED direction. MOST not all are into heavy drug usage and general trouble. They need a little DISCIPLINE and DIRECTION in their lives like a vitamin. Most of the parents of these kids are so self-absorbed in their own lives too devote any attention to help their kids. Presently as it stands, the kids aren't going to change and neither are the parents. Most of these kids either have no jobs or can't even apply for jobs, due to urine testing and the great services that our magnificant school system has provided them for dealing with the real world. One year out of their precious lives ISN'T to much to ask. Sure, they might get killed. They would die anyway in the real world. I hate to break this too ya but: "The world has ALWAYS been a dangerous place." I feel that I have been very lucky to live to the ripe old age of 48 and that includes 4 years military service plus Vietnam.

Let me tell you something, It's refreshing to walk into a room and have a bunch of kids standup at your presence and call you SIR! No earrings, noserings, facerings, outlandish hair or tattoo's. Yes, it is very refreshing.

Presently, if I go into a shopping mall I have to avoid eye contact with these young cretins. Thank you MTV. Thanks for promoting kids as hoods, lowlifes and general un-respecting bad people.

So tell me,,, What is YOUR Agenda???

REPLY FROM EDITOR

I believe humans, under our Bill of Rights, should be allowed to shape their own lives.

I respect our military's role to protect our borderland under the Constitution. I think we have great professional Forces. Why some silly politicians want to drag everybody into the Service is only an indication of paranoia. It is wimpy! And worse, it is a statement to our great military that they are not really good enough!

If I were Professional military I'd be insulted.

Kent

Date: 1/26/02 2:53:38 PM Pacific Standard Time

For one thing, paranoia has nothing to do with it. You believe that "Humans should be allowed to shape their own lives." Well thank you Dr. Spock! He believed just that. Viola! The Me generation that have now grown up and are now running things. Heaven forbid we discipline these young little facists, our offspring. Why we might HARM their delicate self-esteem.

As far as agenda goes, I would like to see us become the people that lived in the 1940's and 50's. When you could sit out on your porch at night without fear of a drive by shooting. When kids actually had respect for their elders. Humans left to their own devices end up like we are today. Have a look around. Everybody is hopped up on Prozac, Paxill, Ritilin and whatever. This is what happens when society if left up to itself. It eventually self-desinigrates from the inside out. Go ask the Roman and Greek Empire.

You got it right though with your disrespect of the president, calling him Dubya and other little associated words. Of course our last president was such a towering example for us all. I know what your agenda is: Your a Liberal Hippie relic from the 60's who just hasn't came down from his last acid trip yet. I believe your PARANOID website clearly show this. You LEFT Coastie.

REPLY FROM EDITOR

For one thing, paranoia has nothing to do with it. You believe that "Humans should be allowed to shape their own lives." Well thank you Dr. Spock! He believed just that. Viola! The Me generation that have now grown up and are now running things. Heaven forbid we discipline these young little facists, our offspring. Why we might HARM their delicate self-esteem.

I'm referring to the Bill of Rights. Do you feel entitled to your ideas, in support of our traditional American guidelines and your right to direct your own life? I hear an, "aye," me too!

You take all the boys and you will rip the country to shreds forever. Find the talented and eager warriors and train them. Be logical, not everyone is cut out to be any one thing, whether trombone player or soldier. Do you think a regiment of trombone players is a grand idea? I don't! Do you want a strong military or not?

Think!

You got it right though with your disrespect of the president, calling him Dubya and other little associated words. Of course our last president was such a towering example for us all. I know what your agenda is: Your a Liberal Hippie relic from the 60's who just hasn't came down from his last acid trip yet. I believe your PARANOID <website clearly show this. You LEFT Coastie.

Correct: I do not admire George Bush, nor his Carlyle Gang buddies. You won't have to read far to find out why. I put it all onboard.

I am a 60 year old man that has been many things in his life, from a Wasatch-Range Cowpoke to College Professor. I'm probably as good as rifleman as yourself, and would challenge you anyday, flypole in hand, in the High Rockies trout streams. I'm probably uglier than you and just as badger-mean, could probably out-drink you, except that I quit, therefore, smart.

So show the respect you say you learned in the military. You want to be called, Sir, then, Sir, it is. You can refer to me as Gramps or "You Old Fart," if it slides down better.

Now that is out of the way, Sir, how about some information?

Are you hearing anything from Afghanistan from your military pals? If so, what's up?

I hear the Taliban is on the rampage again with 500 brand new spankin tanks.

I am concerned!

Kent

Date: 1/27/02 6:44:15 AM Pacific Standard Time

I read the comment for the bill and all subsequent comments. What I do not understand is why this person believes that one that makes ones own life choices must be undisciplined. I grew up military and our household was very disciplined. Yes Sir or Yes Ma'am, were musts, as well as politeness and respect. However, my parents ,also, believed in the constitution and we were allowed to make many of our own choices. The problem isn't in allowing children to make choices for themselves, it is in the lack of discipline. I see all around me ever day children whose parents or care givers do nothing to discipline them for their bad behavior. Acctually, in some cases, it is encouraged. My husband and I witnessed a mother and her children vandalize an empty apartment and a broken down car. We called the police for the landlord, but to no avail. The police never came. I don't know about other cities, but in our city it seems the police aren't what they should be either, no longer to protect and serve the citizens of the city.  I hate being a victim in need of thier services because they treat the victim as if they were the criminal. I, being a victim of an assault, was treated very cruely by the police. I was polite and respectful, but they yelled at me, called me names, suggested that I provoked the assault (as if being beaten up is something I want someone to do to me!) and being plain disrespectful of me and my rights! So as you can see the problem goes very deep in our society. I don't believe the passing of this bill will help. We need to go deeper, starting at the very top of it all.

VIDEO: Farewell address by former U.S. President (and General) Dwight Eisenhower, January 17, 1961.