Hi bob,   
      
   On Sun 2012-Feb-26 10:02, BOB BREED (1:123/140) wrote to RICHARD WEBB:   
      
    BB> When it became evident that the sons of the upper class could   
    BB> escape, thus leaving only the poor subject to it, that became a big   
    BB> divisor.  That's why so many young men fled to Canada, and was   
    BB> really the first time the powers couldn't rally the masses to the   
    BB> cause. (What the hell ever that was?)   
      
    RW> That was the other part of why folks lost faith with their   
    RW> government.  iN fact, I'm all for the draft, but imho it   
    RW> shouldn't be a draft, it should be compulsory military   
    RW> service, for every citizen, disabled, women, if you wanna   
    RW> vote, you want the benefits of citizenship, you'll showup as soon as   
    RW> you graduate from hs, or on your 18th birthday.   
      
   BB> While women can enlist, I still feel that subjecting them to the   
   BB> draft would be a major hoo-haw and would never fly, thus putting the   
   BB> whole system at risk.     
      
   Maybe, but with a draft there's always a buy out option,   
   whether it be college deferment, etc.   
      
   BB> Not so sure making all do military would fly either, but you offer a   
   BB> choice; military or some civil program like CCC or the peace corp   
   BB> thing - hell habitat for humanity would be fine with me.  Point is   
   BB> you do something for the good of the country and you have NO   
   BB> exceptions except the really disabled.      
      
   I'd still make it mandatory military, and if the military is willing to pass   
   on you then you have a choice, but this way, #1 you get certain training that   
   imho citizens should have.   
   #2, there is no opt out or buy out possible.  You *will*   
   serve.  Even the profoundly disabled, at least if they ahve   
   intellectual capability can do something to further a   
   military effort.  Maybe it's communications, or clerical, or any number of   
   things.   
      
      
    RW> I tried to enlist, my draft card said "subject to call" and   
    RW> I told the man, I'm an experienced radio op. Remember back   
    RW> then the navy still used MOrse.  The man laughed at me, my   
    RW> card soon got switched to 4f.   
      
   BB> Remember when? Hell, I was part of that myself.  :)  Although as a   
   BB> CT, not a general service radioman.  BTW, since I was copying about   
   BB> 20wpm the day I walked into radio schools it was a snap course for   
   BB> me. :) I think the plan was 18wpm for radiomen to graduate, but it   
   BB> was 35 for CTR's.  Had to hone a bit to get that but made it with   
   BB> ease.   
      
     Yeah I wasn't good enough to pass the first class   
   telegraph though, that required 20 wpm like the extra did   
   back then.   
      
   Regards,   
              Richard   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:116/901)