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IPFS News Link • Draft

Just Say No to Draft Registration for Women - and Men

• http://original.antiwar.com, by Thomas Knapp

I have a better idea. It's time to end draft registration for everyone. Because, you know, freedom.

The US hasn't involuntarily inducted men into military service since 1973, but reinstated mandatory registration in 1980. Ever since, the shadow of legal slavery has loomed over the lives of American males aged 18 through 26.

Yes, slavery. There's no other way to describe requiring someone to work for you whether he (or she) wants to or not. Conscription is an indefensible moral abomination, and would be even if it didn't come with the risk of violent death attached.

The draft, and mandatory registration for it, are also just flat stupid.

Who am I to say this? I'm a former Marine infantry NCO (1984-1995, honorable discharge) who served in Desert Storm. I'm also a former Selective Service System board member (appointed by president George W. Bush in 2004 to a 20-year term; I resigned after eight years when I moved out of my local board's area).


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