It's baaaaaaaaaaaack!

It's not a big surprise, given the rate we've been invading countries at lately, but there's a bill pending in the legislature to bring back the draft and this time, the women get to go too. To wit:

Universal National Service Act of 2003 - Declares that it is the obligation of every U.S. citizen, and every other person residing in the United States, between the ages of 18 and 26 to perform a two-year period of national service, unless exempted, either as a member of an active or reserve component of the armed forces or in a civilian capacity that promotes national defense.

If you're interested in learning more about this bill, visit Thomas (aka the US Congress) and enter 'HR 163' into the search engine. You can read all about the new 'draft' there. More news here.

I'm not entirely convinced this will pass, not when the majority of Americans are against the draft. But here's the bottom line: America is stretched thin. We're fighting wars in Afghanistan -- why yes, there is still a war there -- and there's one in Iraq. Neither situation is getting better anytime soon. We can't pack up our bags and say "It's been real, kids, see ya." We're stuck. We're stuck over there for years and someone has to go over there and fix this mess. And if people aren't volunteering, then the only way to get soldiers out there is to make them go.

That being said, I'm no supporter of the draft. In fact, I think the people who voted for this war, who sanctioned this war, who promoted this war -- I think they're the ones who ought to take a turn at the front line. And I don't mean just a quick secretative in and out visit; I mean an honest to God tour of duty. And if not them, then their offspring. Now there's a bill I could get behind.

And you know what? If my suggestion went into effect as part of this new bill, I bet we'd stop invading countries unilaterally too.