My Half-Baked Idea That Has Little Merit

[Sava]

Originally posted by Lorizael
Yes, because MLK's march in DC was totally ineffective. Yes. Protesting sucks.

if you have that many people and one of histories most important figures... then fine, you may get something done...

but a few thousand (or in most cases, as little as a hundred or several dozen) anti bush malcontents aren't going to get jack**** done...

[OzzyKP]

Re: Re: My Half-Baked Idea That Has Little Merit

Originally posted by MrFun
You just have no inkling as to the interesting conversations I have had with my pillow.

So you talk to it in addition to biting it?

[OzzyKP]

Originally posted by Verto
Since I Would be one of those thousands, I think I'm entitled to make the outragous proposal.

Yes, but you only speak for one of those thousands, not the rest. If you don't mind being sent to war, then no one is stopping you, in fact they could really use your help. That doesn't give you a right to force me to go.

But if that's the way you play, my lawn needs mowing, lets draft you into service to mow my lawn and mop my floor.

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by Sava
if you have that many people and one of histories most important figures... then fine, you may get something done...

but a few thousand (or in most cases, as little as a hundred or several dozen) anti bush malcontents aren't going to get jack**** done...

Well then why not put forth the effort required to get an enormously famous person and tens or hundreds of thousands of people?

[Ted Striker]

Re: My Half-Baked Idea That Has Little Merit

Originally posted by Verto
So I was thinking about Iraq, the military, the decision to send the military to Iraq, and apathy in our society.

We have the people who supported the war gung-ho, the overwhelming majority of whom did not enlist and who have done little to provide material support for the military other than buying some stupid flag or ribbon magnet from Wal-Mart and slapping it on their SUV.

We have the people who protested the war gung-ho, the overwhelming majority of whom have not done anything other than whine about it on their blog, this forum or into their pillow. How many of us against the war have devoted our resources or time to join those protests carried out in D.C, etc?

Anyway, that was what prompted me to think of this half-baked idea that will be promptly shot down as being a half-baked idea.

First of all, it would require that we get rid of the ability to send troops to invade other countries or fight in open war, without having to declare war. I recognize the need to respond quickly, so yes the President would be able to send troops in without Congressional approval, etc. However, after XX amount of days, Congress would be required to vote for or against a declaration of war; if it passes, the troops remain; if it doesn't, the troops come home.

A second part of this would be that if a declaration of war was made, all able-bodied males of the appropriate age would be required to enlist with local military offices for possible deployment, undergoing training and testing similar to the Reserves(or NG, whichever takes place on the weekends every so often) on a staggered basis.

And maybe for good measure, a temporary hike in gas taxes by 25-30c or so for the duration of the war.

Honestly, I really like your idea.

This makes the entire population accountable for war actions, and it takes the power away from the President to declare silly wars, which has gotten us into trouble a couple of times already.

The people and Congress will make the best decision under these circumstances. This means we consider the decision to wage war with greater scrutiny.

For example, in your idea, the war in Afghanistan would have been approved, and most men were eager to do something to go and whoop those Al-Queda bastards, so most of us would not have had a problem with registering.

I would take it a step further and make it illegal to use the National Guard units in overseas operations. With the pool of available men increased, the Reserves should be able to handle any troop committments, and the National Guard would still be fully staffed and committed to its REAL duty to protect and serve the mainland US and its states.

[Flip McWho]

You have far too much faith in the people. The people'll probably declare just as many silly wars. Heck, the people put this president in power.

[molly bloom]

I have heroically contributed to the wars on poverty and drugs and overpopulation by being a teetotal queer who makes purchases at charity shops and who doesn't inseminate women.

I'm expecting some huge showy Queen's medal in recognition of my sterling efforts to continue to drink Fair Trade coffee, tea and hot chocolate in adverse circumstances, and for my services to Burkina Faso preserved mango, above and beyond the call of duty.

[Provost Harrison]

Which one is you?

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by Provost Harrison
Which one is you?

Captain Unpredictable Soars Into Action....


I'm the mango- a juicy succulent little fruit that gives oral pleasure to many.


And if you don't like that reply, you can:

[Provost Harrison]

Just joking, no need to be rude...

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by Provost Harrison
Just joking, no need to be rude...

Are you working in a charity shop ?

VINNIE:
I’m not being rude, dear.

I was joking too- note, I said I was a mango, and followed the verbal fruit joke with a visual fruit joke.


Lost your senzayuma, dear ?

[Provost Harrison]

I didn't mean to sound quite so rude myself with the last post either

Now coffee, that doesn't sound too bad an idea...

[OzzyKP]

Re: Re: My Half-Baked Idea That Has Little Merit

Originally posted by Ted Striker
This makes the entire population accountable for war actions, and it takes the power away from the President to declare silly wars, which has gotten us into trouble a couple of times already.

There was a draft during Vietnam too, and that didn't stop us from going to war. Except that a lot more innocent lives were lost in that war (innocent as in young Americans forced to go to war).

A volunteer army is best. If the war is unpopular then people aren't going to sign up for it and the army will be short of manpower and have to call off the war. That, in a small way, is starting to happen with recruitment shortages.

[MrFun]

Re: My Half-Baked Idea That Has Little Merit

Originally posted by Verto
So I was thinking . . . . . .

Wait! This is where the thread's problem began.

[Verto]

Re: Re: My Half-Baked Idea That Has Little Merit

Originally posted by MrFun



Wait! This is where the thread's problem began.

Yes, well, at least I've taken the plunge: we're still waiting for you