Do of the Canadian members mind...

Them and Us · 01-06-03, 11:33 PM

if i hop the border and come hang out for a long while. ha cos they are talking about reinstituting the draft over here and I'm definitely not about that.

Pythonian · 01-06-03, 11:37 PM

dude i hear ya.... 19 years old... YIKES!!! .. dude.. let's carpool

Mike

Them and Us · 01-07-03, 12:14 AM

I'm all for that.

Lisa · 01-07-03, 12:27 AM

but look at the benefits... Get sent over to some country and enjoy the wonderful side effects of chemical warfare.

Them and Us · 01-07-03, 12:30 AM

oh well nevermind then....I mean since you put it that way. ha

Alicewave · 01-07-03, 07:48 AM

I don't think women get drafted but I'm with you, I'm sick of this country.

Nanashi04 · 01-07-03, 09:05 AM

I'm pretty sure women don't get it either - it doesn't really matter since I'm not 18 yet. In fact - no one in my family would go... My dad is a single parent, my brother is the last carring our name, same with my cousin... I guess the only ones that could go are some of my Uncles and my other cousin...

I just hope it doesn't come to that... scary thinking about it, you know?

tai_pan1 · 01-07-03, 09:57 AM

This entire post has made me sick! First, I served in the United States Marine Corps for 10 years and am proud of it. Second, I am proud of my country and what it stands for. Alicewave, if your sick of it, leave! See if you can travel the world and find a better country. I can guarantee that you can't. As for all you whiners complaining about getting drafted, don't worry. This country will never institute the draft unless our shores are threatened by an enemy. It would be political suicide and that's not what the politicians go to Washington for.

I am thankful however that previous generations of young American males did not have the same self serving, self involved, self centered attitude that the young males who posted here have. If they did, we'd all be speaking German, Japaneese, or Russsian. Thankfully young men rose up and fought, and yes died, to preserve American ideals of freedom and democracy. And before you tell me it's all about oil, it's not. At the present time, the industrialized world gets less than 3% of it's oil from Iraq. Yes there are huge reserves there, but there are huge reserves elsewhere as well. Should anyone "forget" what this is actually about, I ask you to revisit what you were feeling on the morning of September 11, 2001. That's what it's about! Saddam is a fanatic who will do anything to stay in power and increase his power. He has used chemical weapons on the Iranians, he's used chemical weapons on his own people, he has anyone that he believes is even slightly against him executed. It is even documented that he has raped women in public. These are all documented facts. It's obvious that the man is not playing with a full deck, and now he is developing nuclear weapons.

Imagine how you'll feel the morning you wake up and find out that a small nuclear device was detonated in Buffaloe, or Groton Ct. I'm sure you guys will be the first yelling "how could we let this happen?" "Why did the CIA, FBI, President, military (take your pick) let this happen?" It will happen because of the attidude of individuals such as yourselves!

Mike

honduranfreekk · 01-07-03, 10:17 AM

tai_pan1 I am Canadian and i would have 2 agrea with you on what you have posted about all the great men and woman that have served and made a difference and they did.there is so much going on in the country,s like iraq and other places that yes something has 2 be done and that is one of the way,s i agrea.I just think every one is so sick of war and pain and suffering.I dont post often and shut my mouth but i do think you where a bitt harsh in your post.Now if i offended you i apoligise as this is not my intent.Just my 2 cent,s

Pixie · 01-07-03, 10:33 AM

See if you can travel the world and find a better country. I can guarantee that you can't.

Tai_Pan: I have an issue with this statement you made... Are you saying that the U.S. is the best country in the world? How many countries have you LIVED in for a significant amount of time other than the U.S. to make such a statement? I don't think there is a perfect country in the world but there are many wonderful ones including the U.S., Canada, European countries, and many more. I find it in bad taste to say to someone that they wont find anything better than such and such a country.

As for the situation with Iraq, I am of the opinion that the U.S. and all other countries for that matter should do everything they can to stop Saddam before a terrible disaster happens.

Pixie

josefg · 01-07-03, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tai_pan1
See if you can travel the world and find a better country. I can guarantee that you can't.

Man you couldn't have said something as close minded as that!!

Quote:

It's obvious that the man is not playing with a full deck, and now he is developing nuclear weapons.

How do you know? As far as I know the UN inspectors have found nothing yet...

Thankyou

tai_pan1 · 01-07-03, 10:53 AM

Pixie, Several. I agree wholeheartedly with you that there are many wonderful countries in addition to the USA. Japan has wonderful culture and some really beautiful geographic features. The European countries have the old castles, the Black Forrest, the Canals of Venice The Leuve (sp?) London Bridge ecterea etcetera, but when it comes to having a whole package, freedom, cultural diversity, geographic diversity, ethic diversity, economic opportunity, educational opportunity, the ability to speak out (as some have done in this forum) for or against the government, the ability to redress grievances etcetera, no other country comes close. There are a lot of countries out there that I absolutely love, Canada and England are at the top of my list. They are true friends and allies of the United States.

mykee · 01-07-03, 11:52 AM

Tai Pan1, WOW, I would much sooner deal with chemical warfare than to be near you with all that hot air you're blowing out your a** about the US. (insert chuckle here). You said you would be hard-pressed to find a country as good to live in as the US? Well, you live in New Jersey, SIMPLE!! You should just hop in your tank, or Jeep, or Hummer and look at a map and drive UP (North) for a few hundred kilometres (the ratio is 1:1.6 Rambo) and you will find the greatest country in the whole damn world! (not that I'm biased or anything) We have nary a violent bone in our collective bodies. Are ALMOST as neutral as Switzerland. Have WAY better beer. Our battles are carried out on a slab of ice with some sticks and a puck, not with guns. We welcome diversity, we're not threatened by it. Our military may be a mere piss in the bucket compared to your guys, but we live a better life without armed conflict. And lastly, we don't feel the need to CONSTANTLY go around telling everyone that we are the best country in the world, (we ALL know you are really trying to convince yourselves). My opinion, therapy for 350,000,000 people trying to get help with a SUPERIORITY COMPLEX.

eyespy · 01-07-03, 12:26 PM

Well, tai pan1, I'd have to say that draft vs. volunteerism and traditional war vs. a war on terrorism are very separate issues.

My family has a long military tradition and we are proud of it. My paternal grandfather carried shrapnel in his lungs from WWI for over 60 years. My mom nearly had to give birth to me alone because my dad was in the Navy. Fortunately he was granted a short leave and arrived at the hospital just minutes before I did. My uncle Buddy came home from the Korean war with a Purple Heart and a bride. My uncle Joe came home from Vietnam with several medals, but the war was very hard on him and he seldom talks of it so I don't know the details. We are very proud of these volunteers who gave so much to their country. We are also proud of 2 of my cousins who are serving in the Navy right now.

Nonetheless, my brothers are in their 20's and we are scared crapless that they might be sent to the Middle East. Kooks and terrorists don't get stopped by traditional military efforts if conflicts in Northern Ireland and the Israel/Palestine areas are any indicator. Folks pop out of hiding, perform their atrocities, and go back into hiding while innocent people die.

I'm all for the CIA and similar intelligence/spy agencies taking out Hussein, but I am deathly afraid of the bloodshed and suffering a traditional military effort to do so would cause and fear for my brothers' safety should it come to that. I would think none the less of them should they choose to evade the draft. However, I would be proud of them should they choose to volunteer, full knowing the risks they would face. Whatever their choice, I would support them with all my heart.

I believe the choice should be up to them, not Congress and the Chiefs of Staff. Not every young man is capable of giving his all for his country, but that doesn't mean they don't love the United States of America in their own way.

Lisa · 01-07-03, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tai_pan1
This entire post has made me sick! First, I served in the United States Marine Corps for 10 years and am proud of it. Second, I am proud of my country and what it stands for. Alicewave, if your sick of it, leave! See if you can travel the world and find a better country. I can guarantee that you can't. As for all you whiners complaining about getting drafted, don't worry. This country will never institute the draft unless our shores are threatened by an enemy. It would be political suicide and that's not what the politicians go to Washington for.
{snip}
Mike

It's nice that you volunteered, that's your perogitive, and some thing you can be proud of. However in the 50's and 60's there was a draft to send soldiers overseas to Korea and Viet Nam to fight in another countries CIVIL WAR. Thats where the american war machine lost all credibility with the american public. It's one thing to fight for your country, it's another thing to be forced to fight for another country.

As for the usa being the best in the world, it hasn't been rated #1 in a long time. Canada comes in 1st quite often.