Draft Dodgers: Traitors?

[David Floyd]

Are draft dodgers traitors?

Personally, I think they are to be applauded, people willing to stand up to the federal government. In that sense I applaud Bill Clinton, and I can't believe I just said that

A little food for thought: In the Civil War, almost 300,000 New Yorkers were drafted. Under 6000 of those actually drafted ended up serving. 40,000 didn't report, and most of the rest either bought or obtained exemptions. When I rail against the damnyankees, I think I can safely exclude most New Yorkers for what they did .

[SlowwHand]

Ambiguous question.
No, not all draft dodgers are traitors, and some are.
Every dog is an animal, bit not every animal is a dog.

[David Floyd]

Well, so in your opinion, in what case would draft dodging be justified?

My blanket definition, for purposes of this poll, of a draft dodger is someone who avoids military service for any reason whatsoever, ranging from being a coward, to taking a stand for civil liberty, to physical or family inability, to anything else, but with less emphasis on the inability part.

[SlowwHand]

Originally posted by David Floyd
Well, so in your opinion, in what case would draft dodging be justified?

My blanket definition, for purposes of this poll, of a draft dodger is someone who avoids military service for any reason whatsoever, ranging from being a coward, to taking a stand for civil liberty, to physical or family inability, to anything else, but with less emphasis on the inability part.

Don't you leave out how that equates to treason?
As an example, Muhammed Ali had very real convictions.
David Floyd is just running scared of losing his precious civil liberties.
Can you see the difference yet?
If not, it's your daddy's problem.

[TCO]

It becomes kind of academic if you volunteer, Dave. This is a great country. The country of Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, Sid Meieir and Madonna. Give something back. Just volunteer. You won't need to have philosophy arguments about the draft. You'll be serving of your own accord.

[SlowwHand]

As I've said in the past, and as GP is really saying, do something.
Don't want to serve in the military? Fine. Don't.
There are literally hundreds of other things you can do to pay back for the good life you've been granted.
Just don't be such a selfish taker all your life.

[David Floyd]

I agree. There are many things one can do to give back. One of which would be an attempt to go into politics and ensuring that things such as drafts and other civil liberty violations don't take place.

And Slowwhand, I forgot about religious convictions. Of course, there's a very easy way to exploit that. I just created the religion of Davidism. It's just like Christianity, except that it says that being drafted is wrong. Looks like I have freedom of religion. Looks like if the government invalidates Davidism they are establishing a state religion, or religions. They can't do that. Hence, I can't be drafted.

[TCO]

Just because you're against the draft, shouldn't stop you from volunteering. Do it, man!

[David Floyd]

Sure. I'm all for an all-volunteer Army. I might actually join in an ideal society. However, we live in a society where soldiers are committed to UN Peacekeeping Actions, to foreign wars we have no business fighting. I agree, in principle, GP, but in practice I can't volunteer for the military because it would possibly put me in a position I can't agree with.

[TCO]

You know, Dave that last commetn about creating your own church came accross as at a 12 year level. Show some lakas and some love of this wonderful country. Go volunteer for the armed forces, big guy. When you're an old fart, you'll be glad that did.

[Imran Siddiqui]

What is this push for volunteering, GP .

Didn't you say the army is big enough already, without Dave into the mix ?

Personally, I'd never volunteer. And if the draft came back (for this war, at least), I think I might dodge. Have to look out for #1. That is what makes this country great... not just the ability, but the prodding to be selfish .

[SlowwHand]

David, you're pathetic.
Tell your parents that some ass hole from Apolyton by way of Dallas said they did a piss poor job raising you.
That's all I have to say.

[TCO]

Oh...so if everything's perfect you'll play. Are all Libertarians against signing up (RIGHT NOW) for the armed forces?

[SlowwHand]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
What is this push for volunteering, GP .

Didn't you say the army is big enough already, without Dave into the mix ?

Personally, I'd never volunteer. And if the draft came back (for this war, at least), I think I might dodge. Have to look out for #1. That is what makes this country great... not just the ability, but the prodding to be selfish .

It's become quite apparent that you're here for the milk and honey only, Imran.
There's no need to roll around in the stink.
It permiates your very being by now.

[TCO]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
What is this push for volunteering, GP .

Didn't you say the army is big enough already, without Dave into the mix ?

Personally, I'd never volunteer. And if the draft came back (for this war, at least), I think I might dodge. Have to look out for #1. That is what makes this country great... not just the ability, but the prodding to be selfish .

Imran...I learned your measure after I found out that you didn't have the balls to tell your folks about your non-muslim girlfriend because you might need to pay for your own grad school.