It really must be a slow news day. Why? Because many media outlets are screaming at the top of their lungs about a military draft, also known as conscription. Simply put, for those who are too retarded to not know, the draft would force able-bodied men (and perhaps women one day) into military service.
Problem is, there will never again be a draft. Sure, men were forced into war during the Revolutionary War (but not the War of 1812), Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam, but after the events of 9/11, the draft was never activated, so why in the hell would they force people into combat for what’s going on in Iran?
I think what’s getting people to panic today is that the Trump administration has simply refused to take the draft off the table. That’s all he said and media outlets and people are screaming that the sky is falling. First and foremost, our military force is over one million strong. That’s way more than what we had when the draft was woken up for the Vietnam War. The numbers don’t lie: the draft is not needed here.
Come to think of it, there won’t be a draft if World War III comes to pass. A draft would be a waste of time and resources. An an all-volunteer military has worked since Vietnam came to a close, so there’s no need to panic.
Yes, on paper, a draft is possible, but in the real world, there is no need for that. Yes, I am aware of Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution. I think what’s causing some people to lose their minds is that the Congress says on its website that:
“Under Congress’s interpretation of the Constitution, the President may introduce troops into hostile circumstances if Congress has (1) declared war, (2) specifically authorized the President to use force, or (3) there is a national emergency created by an attack on the United States or its territories.”
Congress has not declared war. It has not authorized the president to use force, which at this point doesn’t matter since Trump apparently authorized himself.
Now, I can see a little cause for concern. If there’s a “national emergency created by an attack on the United States,” then Trump can move forward. Not that he’s letting the Constitution stop him or anything. What’s going on right now does not qualify as a national emergency. It’s just that simple.
If there is a draft, Congress must authorize and facilitate it. I simply don’t see Congress doing that. There’s no need for it and I highly doubt that there ever will be a need given that the draft has been non-existent since the late 1970’s. There’s nothing in the Constitution that specifically discusses conscription, however.
Let’s suppose things go sideways and we actually do need a draft. Congress is in charge of that. And, just as in the Vietnam War, there would be a procedure. More to the point, it would be a lottery, and I don’t think anyone wants that jackpot. Newsweek reports thusly:
“If a draft were held right now, those who are 20 years old—or turning 20 in the year in which the numbers are drawn—would be the first to go. Starting on January 1 of the year an eligible male turns 21, he would drop into the second priority category. Each successive year, a man drops into the next lower priority group until he has reached his 26th birthday, which is over the age of liability for the draft. Men ages 18 and 19 are last in the priority order.”
The Selective Service still has in storage the same lottery balls used during the Vietnam War. They’ve been sitting there waiting for their day in the sun, a day that will certainly never arrive. If there were to be such a lottery, it would be in front of the nation and, for that matter, the entire world.
There will be two machines from which balls will be chosen. The drawn numbers will be held up to the cameras and witnesses in an effort to show that there’s no funny business going on. But remember, again, this is all theoretical. In reality, this will never happen again.
All the networks would air it live. It would be livestreamed. It would be impossible to escape. Pretty much immediately after the drawing, mail ordering the affected men would be sent. They would be expected to turn up for induction and those who refuse to show up will be dragged in, kicking and screaming if necessary.
Already, people are crying foul. Lawmakers are screaming that their kids will be drafted over their dead bodies, a sentiment shared with parents nationwide. Even though this is all moot because there never again will be a draft, the arrogance is striking. These people seem to think that their children are exempt.
If a draft does happen, the parents who are claiming that their children are too special to be drafted will quickly find out that no one is exempt. It’s also possible that legislation will finally be passed that will mandate that women register for the Selective Service and that they go to the front lines just like the men. Hey, women are bitching about how they want to be treated equally, so here’s their chance!
Speaking of Selective Service, it is still the law of the land that men register when they turn 18. Right now, it’s pretty much on the honor system, with penalties if the government finds that cowards are dodging their legal duty. Later this year, the SS will use other government databases to automatically register men, whether they like it or not.
As for me, I did my duty and registered when I turned 18, even though I was in high school at the time and would have been exempted if a draft had occurred then. I did go on to join the Army in 1999 of my own volition. When I was at the recruiter’s office, one of the first things he did was to pick up the phone and verify that I’d done my legal duty. Yes, I ended up being medically discharged during basic training, but at least I tried, unlike a lot of people who think they’re too good to serve their country.
Registering for the SS may be the law, but it is no longer needed as we all know that the draft will never come back. Just because Trump isn’t taking it off the table, that doesn’t mean that people should be worried. Remember, Congress activates a draft, not Trump, and right now, Congress isn’t even considering considering the draft. So relax.
You can mark my words right here and now: the draft will never again occur. So entitled parents and young men can stop clutching their pearls.