[WAC-list] Bill could bring return of draft, No exemptions for women, students

[William E Bragg <braggw53@vaxa.cis.uwosh.edu>]

Bill could bring return of draft
No exemptions for women, students 
Published: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 
Article Tools: Page 1 of 1

In what is rapidly becoming a major nationwide issue, members of the U.S. 
Senate and the House of Representatives have both proposed similar bills that 
would reinstate the draft in the United States. The bill would require all 
Americans between the ages of 18 and 26 serve two years of military service 
regardless of gender or economic background.

Proponents of the bills have released public statements explaining the twofold 
purpose of the bill: To ensure that military service is a burden not only 
shouldered by the poor and to advocate peace in Iraq.

"[This bill] assures there would be no preferences, no deferments, no chance 
for the well-off or the well connected to dodge military service..." said U.S. 
Rep. Pete Starks, R-Calif., in a statement.

UW-Madison political science Professor Donald Ferree said if Americans hate 
the war now, their hatred will escalate if the government sends in unwilling 
troops.

The bill allows for conscientious objectors to the war but specifies these 
individuals would still be required to fulfill their two-year service term 
accomplishing non-combat tasks such as homeland security or community service.

Critics say the bills are merely a reaction to recent estimates that the 
United States will need over 250,000 troops in order to maintain stability in 
Iraq. There have already been mass redeployments of reserve troops to replace 
battle-weary soldiers in Iraq, and man active-duty soldiers have stated they 
will not re-enlist in the military after their time is up.

Possibly the two biggest changes both bills propose are that both women and 
those in college are no longer exempt from the draft.

"This is a very complex issue. If men have a service obligation, why not 
women? We don't want to be disproportionate in any demographic, yet we don't 
want equality in all respects either," Ferree said.

While women have made many advances within the military, they are still not 
allowed in coastal patrol boats, submarines or in direct ground combat teams 
like the Navy SEALs.

Also, some women are unsure what will happen if both parents in a family are 
drafted. There are currently no exemption clauses for parents in either of the 
bills.

"Traditionally, women are the caretakers in the country. What about when 
entire families are drafted?" said DeAnna Friedman, head of the Young Feminist 
Task Force at UW-Madison.

To begin a draft, Congress would have to approve one of the two bills and get 
the president's signature. There has been no official response from the White 
House regarding either of the bills.

William E Bragg