But the hypocrisy doesn’t end there. It’s hard not to see this
callous cut in aid as part of a larger Bush administration attack on the young,
and by extension, on the principle of opportunity this country was founded on.
Bush and his Republican machine have mortgaged young Americans’ futures by
running up record deficits, even as he has sent hundreds of us to our deaths in
Iraq. Rock the Vote and other youth-vote organizations successfully excited
people’s passions before the election by raising questions about a possible
draft, enough that Bush was compelled to deny the plan publicly. But with the
fires still burning in Falluja, and the drums starting to beat for Iran and
North Korea, it’s hard to believe that promise won’t be broken, along with so
many others. In Bush’s America, the real opportunity for young people doesn’t
wear a cap and gown—it wears a helmet and boots.
In other news, it looks like Tom Ridge has resigned. Here's what i find interesting:
In an e-mail circulated to senior Homeland Security officials,
Ridge praised the department as "an extraordinary organization that each day
contributes to keeping America safe and free." He also said he was privileged to
work with the department's 180,000 employees "who go to work every day dedicated
to making our company better and more secure."
"Our company?" Well, they've certainly got the union-busting chops, no-bid contracts, and near-total lack of accountability, so what the hell.
We should start organizing now for freedom from the draftSome people say that it doesn't make sense to talk about the draft now, since the government has said that a draft is not being planned. But the best way to prevent the draft from happening is to say no before it starts. This is important for several reasons:
ReplyDelete1. Given how the government has used terrorism to push unrelated agendas, we can't predict what will happen after the next terrorist attack on America (we should therefore prepare for the worst)
2. We have a better chance of framing the issue when we start the discussion - that's why draftfreedom.org was started and why we talk about "freedom from the draft" as opposed to "avoidance of the draft"
3. Each time the government must deny that there will be a draft, it becomes harder for the draft to happen
4. Talking about the draft allows people to think of the war in a more personal way
5. Talking about the draft brings up issues like the poverty draft - which is important to saving the lives of Americans already caught in this war
Another reason to start talking about the draft now is that it gives young people time to prepare. Once a draft starts, people will face tough choices. Claiming conscientious objector status is not an automatic process - it helps to be prepared with a documented track record of opposition to war on deep moral and ethical grounds. Moving from the country is also not an easy process, nor is going to jail in protest. Exercising your freedom is never easy, especially when the government does not recognize your rights and freedoms. Being prepared is essential if young Americans are to decide what to do for themselves.
Prepare your case as a conscientious objectordraftfreedom.org | Freedom from the Draft