Let's figure out a way to use our seniors and the oldest wave of babyboomers
McGentrix said
Quote: Quote:There will be NO draft.
Does God whisper is your ear also?
McGentrix wrote:Why would you think that every prisoner would be some weird delinquent? Isn't one of the left bread and butter philosophies that prisoners can be reformed? I think the military would be a great confidence booster and disciplinarian for many, many prisoners locked away for non-violent crimes.
I don't really sit that far to the left except in the eyes of super con's like yourself.
hobitbob wrote:I am stating that the key to effectiveness in the military is discipline. In combat or in peacetime, the ability to follow orders is paramount, no ifs ands or buts. I sincerely doubt those who have a proven penchant for breaking the law would be effective. The era of "join the army or go to jail," though still a popular jody-call, is long gone, and ended in the later 1970s.
I hate to use up one of the limited number of agreements I'm allocated for hobitbob this early in the year, but he's exactly right. In any case, serving in the armed forces is one of the rights of citizenship given up upon conviction of a felony.
And yes, I did intentionally call it a right.
So, you feel that those who are in jail under the Rockefeller drug laws have no chance of rehabilitation or of being useful members in society? That's bunk. Non-violent criminals can serve just as well as those that volunteer and I think it is a useful resource that should be fully investigated before any sort of draft.
Now, i know many of you automatically think of worse case scenarios, so just let me add that I am not talking about ALL the prisoners, or those with violent tendancies, or those that have psychological issues. Obviously there are prisoners that really should stay in prison the remainder of their lives. But, those that are serving 5-10 years for auto theft, or smoking dope, or selling paraphenalia, or drunk driving, etc... they could surely be offered a 1-3 year term in the miliatry as an option.
Some might work out; I doubt most would. In any case, they all made some choices along the way. Choices have consequences.
Roger's very good point aside, I knew a guy who was given a choice by a judge; prison, or Nam. he chose Nam, where he made a damn fine sniper. However, willing as McG might be to send our petty criminals to Iraq, I find it offensive. I'd be in favor of sending white collar criminals instead. As long as coke dealers get a slap on the wrist while crack dealers rot in jail, be it the Drug War or the Iraq War, it's still a war fought mostly by the poor.
And sorry, but that's wrong.
