Bring Back The Draft?

If America Fights A War, Should The Government Draft Soldiers?

(CBS)  The following is a weekly 60 Minutes commentary by CBS News correspondent Andy Rooney.

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There have been stories recently about the problem the Pentagon is having recruiting enough soldiers to do the fighting that we're committed to do in Iraq.

In an attempt to get the soldiers they need, recruiters have reduced the standards for getting into the Army or Navy.

They have reduced the educational standards, for example, so that they're getting more soldiers who didn't go to high school, let alone graduate from high school.

Recruiters are granting thousands of what they call "moral waivers". A "moral waiver" it turns out means they'll take someone who has committed a crime or even someone who has been in prison. Last year, a total of 8,129 "moral waivers" were given to men who volunteered for the Army.

Are these the people we want representing us? As American soldiers, they're going to give the people they meet around the world the impression that they are what all Americans are like and if they have been taken from the bottom of the barrel, they are not what we're all like.

In August of 1941, I had just finished my junior year in college when I was drafted into the Army. Hundreds of my classmates were drafted at the same time.

I hated everything about Army life. I hated the Field Artillery regiment I was assigned to. Most of the guys in it were high school dropouts and the Army wasn't using the term "moral waiver," yet but a lot of them would have needed it.

They had joined before the draft so they had already been promoted to being corporals or sergeants and they were in charge of the rest of us.

In 1942 we were at war with Germany and it wasn't long before drafted college students and high school graduates dominated our military. It changed the United States Army for the better and in two years made it the best fighting force there has ever been. The Army and Navy were no longer made up of losers.

Now comes the part of this I never thought I'd hear myself say: Whenever we, as a nation, decide to fight a war – in Iraq or anywhere else – it should be fought by average Americans who are drafted.

[lshanks2]

My brother joined the US Army when he was 17. He served in Vietnam, Germany & Ft Hood, TX. He never finished high school but he came back from Vietnam with a purple heart. He died in a motorcycle accident two months before he turned 21. He is not a loser in my heart. For Andy Rooney to call these soldiers who served losers is a slap in their families faces.

[opfor311]

Andy,

While I appeciate your service, and can relate to it, as my father also served in the 8th Air Force in WWII, I believe that you misunderstand condition of our current forces.

While there are more service members without high school diplomas and more with 'moral waivers' than there were in the Gulf War, it is still true that the percentage of those service members are lower than those in the general popluation.

The military would much rather stay an all-volenteer force, than to go back to the days of a drafted army. The volenteers are more professional, and moral is higher.

Besides, with the base closures and the reductions in the force in the 'Peace Dividend' years, it would take years to rebuild the infrastructure needed to support a draft.

[anis24-2009]

In parts of Europe there is a mandatory service in the Military for a period of two years. If the US would start such a program then maybe we would not be picking from the bottom of the barrel, as you said, but everyone who can serve would be given the opportunity and the experience needed to serve in case of a need.

[robertedharrison]

I think that your commentary was a subtle put-down of the armed services. I served as a Navy Officer from 1982 to 2002. I saw that the military was a nearly vertical upward mobility ladder for many people. I served with air traffic controllers who were proud, responsible, dedicated people who had been hoodlums back in their old neighborhoods in high school.

The military needs people now due to the war in Iraq. I think that the war in Iraq was a mistake but I still support the military. I met too many good, caring, responsible people not to suppoirt the military. Your commentary was a put down, as many of your commentaries have been.

I think you should occasionally give people a chance, especially if you see a spark of light and goodness.

I think the world has passed you by, Andy, and you are too old to be relevant. You are part of a consciousness that compares everything to WWII and that part of history is over with.

SIncerely, Ed

[robertedharrison]

I think that your commentary was a subtle put-down of the armed services. I served as a Navy Officer from 1982 to 2002. I saw that the military was a nearly vertical upward mobility ladder for many people. I served with air traffic controllers who were proud, responsible, dedicated people who had been hoodlums back in their old neighborhoods in high school.

The military needs people now due to the war in Iraq. I think that the war in Iraq was a mistake but I still support the military. I met too many good, caring, responsible people not to suppoirt the military. Your commentary was a put down, as many of your commentaries have been.

I think you should occasionally give people a chance, especially if you see a spark of light and goodness.

I think the world has passed you by, Andy, and you are too old to be relevant. You are part of a consciousness that compares everything to WWII and that part of history is over with.

SIncerely, Ed

[glencove2]

I think to put words in Andy's mouth does him a disservice and misses the point. I taught middle school for 37 years. The boys who were a handful were the ones I always said to let them be. They will be the war heroes if our country called. To say it would be difficult/costly to ask all citizens to step up to the plate is a poor excuse.We are in the billions now with this disaster. We have come to the point as a country to know that we are heading in the wrong direction. But I think we are at a loss as to what is the right direction.
Other than 9/11, when was the last time our country was united in anything since WW II?

[climberbos]

Andy,

I praise you for your bold choice of language on tonight's 60 Minutes regarding the need for a draft.

What you say is controversial, but it is the right thing to do. We need "average" Americans, as you suggest, to fight wars we fight. And it would seriously influence how we decide to go to war.

My grandfather was a Yale graduate, and served in WW II, leading troops on an anti-submarine ship. It was the service of these kinds of leaders that I think made a huge difference in the war.

Your comments every week on 60 Minutes are important to this nation. Even when I disagree with you, I respect you, your authority, your humor and your perspective on the nation and on history. Keep up the amazing work.

[idgaf11]

Andy Rooney, you need to retire. Although I respect your service to our nation in WWII, Your comments tonight are way off base. Are you aware that waivers for service members have been in exeistence for years. The press is only making a big deal about it because of the war. I needed two waivers to join the Marine Corps 22 years ago. You make it sound like those that have waviers such as mine are the scum of the earth. Well I am not. Do all of us a favor, retire!! You are becoming such a blowhard!@!!

Judging from Andy Rooneys comments he disliked the Army well enough that I doubt he made a career of it. How then can he be introduced as "S/Sgt. Andy Rooney, U S Army, Retired?"

Or is that just another example of one sided reporting by CBS News?

[ldbutts]

Andy, you are so right! Thank you for the visionary statement. The administration would have left Iraq months ago had this war affected the rich and poor, the educated and the uneducated equally.

Judging from Andy Rooneys comments he disliked the Army well enough that I doubt he made a career of it. How then can he be introduced as "S/Sgt. Andy Rooney, U S Army, Retired?"

Or is that just another example of one sided reporting by CBS News?

[turnthepage2]

-Break Out The Dirty Dozen-

Before we start the draft again, let's give the soft core prisoners, the ones for minor drug offenses etc., and give them a chance to serve their country! I say if they have seven years or less to serve in jail, make them do two years active and free them with a honorable discharge if earned. Maybe we'de have bin Laden by now?

[mikeberla]

Right on, Andy! I've been saying, for the last 38 years, that the end of the draft spelled the end of the anti-war movement. As soon as middle-class kids were no longer at risk, they and their parents went home and left the fighting and dying to people they didn't know or care about. We would never have gone into Iraq with a draft-based military. World War II saw sacrifice at home as well as in service. Today, we see tax cuts.

[mikeberla]

Right on, Andy! I've been saying, for the last 38 years, that the end of the draft spelled the end of the Viet Nam anti-war movement. As soon as middle-class kids were no longer at risk, they and their parents went home and left the fighting and dying to people they didn't know or care about. We would never have gone into Iraq with a draft-based military. World War II saw sacrifice at home as well as in service. Today, we see tax cuts.

[mikeberla]

Right on, Andy! I've been saying, for the last 38 years, that the end of the draft spelled the end of the Viet Nam anti-war movement. As soon as middle-class kids were no longer at risk, they and their parents went home and left the fighting and dying to people they didn't know or care about. We would never have gone into Iraq with a draft-based military. World War II saw sacrifice at home as well as in service. Today, we see tax cuts.

[opfor311]

'We would never have gone into Iraq with a draft-based military.'

sarcasm
Riiiiiight! Like we didn't go to Vietnam with a draft-based military.
end sarcasm

The last thing that the military wants right now is a draft. It would take years to build the facilities that we'd need, increase the number of trainers, and get the laws in place to increase the size of the regular armed forces to use these people who don't want to be there in the first place.

Currently, we are meeting the recruiting goals in all services (except the Army Reserves). A gradual increase in the size of the service up to a more realistic size of 14 Army Divisions and 3 or 4 Marine Divisions would be more reasonable.

[mlsbas]

Mr. Bush thrust us into a fraudulent war, and there is no logical argument against that.

The matter of conscription is one of great debate. Much conversation needs to take place before the draft is reinstated. What should be simple is the implementation of the draft itself. It should only be supported, however, if the pool from which conscripts are drawn is a blind process. Lacking physical, mental or emotional reasons for not serving, all should be subject to the draft.

Now, this means being wealthy does not exclude you. Likewise, being offspring of an elected official does not exclude you. If the draft is reinstated, it should be a "one size fits all."

Mr. Rooney is entitled to his opinion, regardless of tenor. We are all entitled to our respective opinions.

[mikeberla]

Right on, Andy! I've been saying, for the last 38 years, that the end of the draft spelled the end of the Viet Nam anti-war movement. As soon as middle-class kids were no longer at risk, they and their parents went home and left the fighting and dying to people they didn't know or care about. We would never have gone into Iraq with a draft-based military. World War II saw sacrifice at home as well as in service. Today, we see tax cuts.

[bluestardad]

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE NOT STUPID! WE KNOW THAT

IF CONGRESS DOES NOT PASS THE IRAQ WAR SUPPLIMENTAL BUDGET REQUEST THE IRAQ WAR STOPS!

CONGRESS DO NOT PASS THE WAR SUPPLIMENTAL BUDGET!

CONGRESS FIDDLES WHILE IRAQ BURNS!

Write your Representatives and Senators!

SHOW THEM YOUR DISDAIN OF THEIR COWARDOUS ACTIONS WHILE OUR TROOPS ARE BEING KILLED! http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Here is the House Speakers email address: [e-mail]

[v2ent]

Andy Rooney,

What in the world has caused you to attack our military personnel? Your comments tonight on 60 minutes caused me to question your sanity. My military experience has given me tremendous respect for all soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. Our current military is made up of volunteers and from what I have seen, they are as qualified as any fighting force ever mustered. You forgot the most important part of any military -- and that is training and commitment. Your comments disgraced the soldiers of WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and now Iraq and Afghanistan. It's time for you to leave 60 Minutes.

Viewer from Colorado

[nomagic42]

While I can certainly understand Andy Rooney's concern about declining recruitment standards, I am outraged to have heard him describe men like my father and father-in-law as "losers". They, like Andy Rooney were young men in their prime when they served their country. Unlike Andy they did not have the advantage of being able to afford finishing high school, much less attending college. Shame on you for your arrogance!

[rico9225]

Andy is an old fool. There's no comparrison of WW2 and the illigal Iraq War. I will personally take my son to Canada to avoid fighting in a war for corporate greed. It should be mandatory that EVERY Senator and Congressman have to have one of thier children drafted and have to fight on the front lines when ever there's a draft.

[greg102399]

Mr. Rooney,

It's very rare that I actually felt like commenting on what a national news personality says. However, your comments regarding the draft being reinstated are spot on. Everyone should have the opportunity to serve their country. This service would bring a thread of commonality to all of society that has been missing for years. It would also cause a lot of people to do something more than just talk. Wouldn't that be cool!

[fubar1899]

Dear Mr. Rooney,
Although I agree with you that the draft should be reinstated, I was taken aback by your comment that in 1942 the Army and Navy were made up of losers. My grandfather served in both WWI and WWII. He was a submariner in WWII. He finally retired after the end of WWII, having started at the bottom and working his way up to the highest rank an enlisted man can acheive, Chief of the boat. He earned a purple heart and the bronze star, among other honors. He was a mason and one of the most moral men I have ever known.
If you could please right the wrong that you made by making such a gross generalization, I know that my grandfather would appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Megan

[gdaniel3]

Andy has it completely wrong . We need the meanest , nastyest , uglyest , dirtest without morals , Muther f ers we can find . They will be the best fighters , not some frat boys who are afraid to get their clothes dirty .

[spudflake]

Andy, you should have went with your thoughts about never hearing yourself say your comments. Your comments were not about a draft. How dare you belittle our current military personnel with the thoughts that they are not average Americans. They are far above you, protecting your right to provide such damaging retoric ina public forum. With the majority of the military being all volunteer for the right reasons, not your measley quoted moral waivered, I bleieve we have the best Americans. I'm sorry to hear you hated everything about your military experience. I'm glad I wasn't fighting beside you. Safe home to my son, Ranger & Sapper, on his 2nd tour, extended twice, having given up his college scholarship to be among the "bottom of the barrel". From Nevada, Battle Born

[Bill Sturm]

I think the draft should be reinstated with exemptions for those attending or planning to attend graduation thru the age of 20. If you have graduated from high school, or have dropped out and do not plan to gradute and are 18 or older, you should be subject to draft in one of the military branches.

[Bill Sturm]

This has nothing to do with Iraq, it is something that is necesary to insure the United States never has to face the same circumstances we are facing today. With a trained army, it is highly unlikely that any nation harborbing thoughts about military agression will have second thoughts. It will also serve as a training ground for those students not ready to make a decision about the rest of their lives. I daresay there are many veterans of Korea, Vietnam and perhaps WWII who would be glad to return to the services to help protect our way of life. Many of our young people need to understand what it means to protect their country and a mandatory draft for a minimum of 2

[involved2]

Andy,

How fortunate you were in 1941 to have the opportunity to go to college. My father was managing and working a farm at age 15 and supporting his mother and 3 siblings. He then served as an RCAF navigator and commissioned officer flying in Lancasters for four years!! Imagine - no college education and a high school dropout!

I am deeply offended at your smugness at being college educated and at your comments stating that those without a high school diploma are losers. I just bet though that they have something far more valuable than you can imagine - respect and caring for others.

Shame on you for tarring these folks who put themselves in a war in which they had no making and have little or no opportunity for personal gain.

My husband, retired from the army militia and having served in Gaza as a peace keeper is disgusted with your words and believes you have lost it. It is time you packed up your memory boxes and moved along. There is no longer a place for you in 60 Minutes.

[jtofct]

Why do I have to register to send you my comment ?

Mr. Rooney I usually like your off the wall remarks but tonight I did not. One you were introduced as Sgt. Andy Rooney , Retired. You are not retired unless you did 20 years or more in the military.

I did not like the comment about the education of the personnel in the military. I did not have a high school education for reasons you would not be aware of or even care about probably.

I joined the Air Force in 1953 when the draft was going on. I have retired from the Air Force and I have some college education now. I have made a good living in my life. No where's near what you have done. But then what have you done ???

I am not for the draft. I would like to see it where all males after completing high school would do at least two years in what ever branch of military they wish once they complete high school or if they drop out. Medical and extenuating circumstances would be taken into consideration for not entering the military.

There would be NO EXCEPTION for who you were or how connected you were.

When I was in I had a guy who had some college, like you, and he got promoted because of it. He could not put a nut on a bolt without cross-threading it. But he had some college so he was in charge. Not all you college types are people that should be in charge. I believe the guy who now fills the office of the president had some college also. That proves my point. jtofct

[cwisehart]

Dear Sirs, I have for many years listened patiently to the rants of Mr. Rooney and his bitter growling over mostly mindless trivia. Tonight he has placed a bolder on my back that I wish to drive him into the ground with. My 23 years of service as an active duty Marine saw the transition from the forced labor of the Viet Nam era to the all volunteer force we have today. Remember how many whined and whined through out the process that it could not be done. Mr. Rooney has the privilege of being called a member of the Greatest Generation but he was not a member of the finest fighting force there has ever been. The greatest fighting force that has ever been is now serving us today. Yet our militaries success is met by the ignorant driveling of a man who says it would be better if those serving had been conscripted. If the world%u2019s statesmen (Rooney included) had the diplomatic skills anywhere near our militaries skills they would have beaten today%u2019s terrors senseless by now. Unfortunately he and those that represent us are impotents crying that the cost is too high and we must turn tail and bury or heads between our knees. I pray we do not and that the freedom we enjoy might be expanded to the rest of the world. Yes the very same whiners cry that this is impossible and the price too high, asked those now in harms way if the price is too high.

[armyveteran1]

Dear Mr. Rooney, the beauty of your editorial tonight is the fact that all of our Military and Veterans who have served before us and those who continue to serve today, Army, Navy, Marines, Airforce and Coastguard, have put their lives on the line and still today continue to do what is asked of them to preserve freedom throughout the world and to protect us Americans here at home. They are the reason you were able to do this mis-guided editorial. Freedom is not free, Mr. Rooney, and anyone who would put duty above their own life in service of their country did not come from the bottom of any barrel.

[pigseye2005]

"In 1942 we were at war with Germany and it wasn't long before drafted college students and high school graduates dominated our military. It changed the United States Army for the better and in two years made it the best fighting force there has ever been. The Army and Navy were no longer made up of losers."

I only navigated your registration mess - which included a requirement to sign in to your "news" section under my fantasy football name - to say:

Hey Andy -- Most of those 1942 soldiers were brave volunteers! Unlike you!

In the real world. we do not care what you and your network "think".

Brave men and women fought then. Brave men and women fight now.

You, sir, are a buffoon! Retire!

[mess12345]

Andy, from the very 1st time you were on 60 minutes, I was a committed fan of yours. This evening my relationship with you has ceased. How dare you suggest that the draft be reinstated for this conflict in Iraq. This conflict was staged, based on lies from the President on down. How could you possibly support Bush, Cheney in a conflict where our soldiers in Iraq are being used a fodder to incite a war with Iran so that our "ally", Saudi Arabia, can take over both countries and split the oil ownership with the gang of Bush et al. You are way out of line and should be fired for taking this position. My last viewing of your last 5 minutes will take place next week to see if you retract your statement or that there is segment addressing comments from viewers opposing your position. See ya' Bud.

[hangbush]

Andy Rooney, I applaud on your courage to speak out in support for draft. Your assertion is rational and logical. I fully agree that voluntary service only encourages the "bottom of the barrel" dead-enders to join the US arm forces.. who has the propensity to commit the crimes (sometimes the most henious one - eg. Haditha massacre, Hamdania incident, Ishaqi incident..and countless other war crimes.) By instituting draft, it also makes these chicken hawks in Whitehouse more wary of the consequences of their love-ones being sent to the frontline. It brings REALITY to their policy. It makes them think twice. So yes, I fully support your viewpoint on this Andy.. Bravo!!

[mess12345]

At 9:14 PDST I read all the posts.

Don't you folks understand that this Iraq conflict should not have happened in the first place. With that, there is no basis for sending in our troops as pawns, to be sacrified as a pretext for going to war with Iran and then drawing in Saudi Arabia, the ally of the Bush Gang et al.

I was drafted and then decided to enlist during the Vietnam conflict. This was in 1966. At that time I believed in our government and never questioned our leaders. It wasn't long after Tet that I realized that Vietnam was a civil war that had no place for the US. It was no different than the Vietnamese taking part during our Civil War.

Iraq is no different.

In WWII we were attacked in Pearl Harbor. That was a solid basis for going to war.

Iraq, as Vietnam, is not a WWII.

Not only should we cease discussion about reinstituing the draft but we should also withdraw from a civil war in a country that does not want us there.

[mess12345]

I hope you retire or get fired!

[ronlongbeach]

I like Rooney, I always have, but I%u2019m not sure that I agree with what appeared to me tonight to be a blanket condemnation of ex-cons. I%u2019ve never forgiven Nixon for his abolition of the draft because I wanted to use it to make a point; I disagreed with our involvement in Vietnam, and I didn%u2019t think it was right for me to go to Canada or anywhere else other than prison. The day after 9/11, I tried to join the military but they wouldn%u2019t take me. I presume it was because of my age, and I knew it wasn%u2019t likely that they would take me, but I needed to try in order to fulfill a promise I once made to myself. I don%u2019t know what the criminal records of those who went to prison rather than serve in Vietnam look like given Ford%u2019s pardon of them, but I would be proud to have them representing me overseas, and I%u2019m sure such would be the case with a number of those ex-cons whom the military has accepted. I%u2019ve done some volunteer work in a prison, and I%u2019ve learned that a lot of people who have served time have done so only because of non-violent drug offenses and the like. I think our involvement in Iraq was an incredible mistake, and I%u2019m still waiting for a plausible explanation from Bush as to why we%u2019re there, but if I%u2019m going to judge people then I think it%u2019s best to do it on an individual basis.

[ronlongbeach]

I like Rooney, I always have, but I%u2019m not sure that I agree with what appeared to me tonight to be a blanket condemnation of ex-cons. I%u2019ve never forgiven Nixon for his abolition of the draft because I wanted to use it to make a point; I disagreed with our involvement in Vietnam, and I didn%u2019t think it was right for me to go to Canada or anywhere else other than prison. The day after 9/11, I tried to join the military but they wouldn%u2019t take me. I presume it was because of my age, and I knew it wasn%u2019t likely that they would take me, but I needed to try in order to fulfill a promise I once made to myself. I don%u2019t know what the criminal records of those who went to prison rather than serve in Vietnam look like given Ford%u2019s pardon of them, but I would be proud to have them representing me overseas, and I%u2019m sure such would be the case with a number of those ex-cons whom the military has accepted. I%u2019ve done some volunteer work in a prison, and I%u2019ve learned that a lot of people who have served time have done so only because of non-violent drug offenses and the like. I think our involvement in Iraq was an incredible mistake, and I%u2019m still waiting for a plausible explanation from Bush as to why we%u2019re there, but if I%u2019m going to judge people then I think it%u2019s best to do it on an individual basis.

[ronlongbeach]

Maybe a call-to-arms would be a better idea than a draft. One of my brothers was a lifer and served in Vietnam, and he once said that the only draft this nation ever had was during the Civil War. By his reckoning, if you signed the paper then you volunteered

[reznil]

OK guys, face it. You might like to get on your high horse and berat Andy, but the fact is you know that Andy Rooney is telling the truth. It is not a pleasant truth, but the unpleasant truths are the most helpful. As my Danish grandfather would say, "Only the very young and the very old tell the truth."

I know a lot of you may think that truth is relative, "Maybe Andy is wrong on this", "Maybe there really were WMD's, they are just invisible", "Maybe we will be greeted as liberators", "Going into Iraq was a good idea!". However, some things are just wrong. It is important to know the difference. Andy gave some honest truth. Deal with it.

I don't want the draft. I'm not sure Andy does either. He is just saying we are not going to make a good impression on Iraqis if we send deadbeats to their country.

There is no good answer. The only good choice is not to have gone into Iraq. Now we are stuck with several options, all horrible.

[ozarslan5]

FIRST OF ALL!!!!!! TO ALL OF YOU WHO DISAGREE WITH ANDY WAKE UP!!!!! IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN OR SEEN WHAT KIND OF GAMES THE RECRUITERS ARE PLAYING THESE DAYS KNOW WONDER WE HAVE SHAMED OUR NATION! I'VE BEEN THERE AND SEEN IT HELL EVEN WROTE A LETTER TO THE WHITE HOUSE OF COURSE NO RESPONSE!!! THEY LIE! PROMISE YOU EVERYTHING JUST TO GET YOUR SIGNATURE HELL THE GUY SITTING NEXT TO ME ON THE WAY TO ENLIST THE RECRUITER HAD HIM DRINKING A GALLON OF WATER TO GET ALL THE DRUGS OUT OF HIS SYSTEM FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE! THEN THE RECRUITERS TELL YOU TO LIE ABOUT EVERYTHING FOR EXAMPLE I COULDNT EVEN SAY I HAD A BROKEN WRIST WHEN I WAS 12 OKKKKKAY LIKE WHAT KIND OF SENSE DOES THAT MAKE? THEN WHEN YOU GET THERE THEY TRY TO SCARE YOU AND SAY IF WE CATCH YOU LYING WE WILL FINE YOU AND PUT YOU IN JAIL! THEN THANK GOD I DIDNT ENLIST AFTER ALL THE LIES BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME I WAS PREGNANT THEN SAID RIGHT AFTER HA HA JUST JOKING GUESS WHAT I WAS THAT WAS HOW DESPERATE THEY WERE TO GET ME IN THANK GOD I WAS SO DISGUSTED WITH ALL THE LIES I DIDNT! IM NOT SAYING ANYTHING ABOUT MY COUNTRY OR MY SOLDIERS BUT DAMNIT GET BETTER RECRUITERS FIX THE *** SYSTEM ITS A JOKE!!!!!!!!OR BETTER YET JUST ENLIST ANYONE LIKE WERE DOING NOW! THEN WHEN WE HEAR ABOUT SHAMEFUL SOLDIERS HMMMMMMMM WHO'S FAULT IS IT????

[leogirl34]

1. Andy Rooney is NOT a retired U.S. Army staff sergeant as he and/or CBS claim. He was drafted and served 2 years of military service (1941-1943), briefly as an infantryman before being reassigned to the newspaper "Stars and Stripes".

2. He once wrote a book describing his own military service. According to book reviews, "He had a knack for enraging the drill instructors with his wisecracks, and for pulling harsh assignments as a result, and his shenanigans got him disqualified from officer candidacy." And yet, we're supposed to believe that drafting him and his college-level peers changed the United States Army for the better? What a slap in the face to the men, no matter what their education level, who voluntarily enlisted and fought for a cause they truly believed in.

3. I don't intend to see my son fight a war unless he CHOOSES to do so, as so many brave young men and women have. And if the military needs more people to fight George's war, let George's daughters do it.

[gapiper]

I agree with Andy Rooney. Furthermore, I think if the US had a draft, we would not be in Iraq and we would not be dangling our swords over Iran and/or North Korea.
George W. Bush is an idiot. He is the most dangerous of politicians. He does not know when to admit when he is wrong and is stubborn enough to go down with the ship and to take this country down with him.
If we reinstituted the draft, I would be out on the streets right now protesting the possibility of my 21 year old daughter being drafted.
It is a lot easier to send mercenary troops to fight wars in distant places than it is to send our drafted children.
I am sorry some people have been offended by Rooney's term "loser". I wish he had used another word too. Still, the fact remains when you get people involved in fighting for their country via the draft, you get a much more pragmatic approach to strategy and war itself.
Germany & France were right!

[lars008-2009]

stop demonizing the military....
you cannot fight a war with people like you skippy.... your only good for cannon fodder...

skippy is a good example of why we do not want or need the draft...... all those liberals nancying around getting in the way of getting the job done..... all they do is help the enemy...... just like turncoat hanoi jane kerry did.... better they stay right here running their mouths like monday morning quarter backs......lol... right skippy.....

hahahahahahahahaha

[l8c6]

Now comes the part of this I never thought I'd hear myself say: Whenever we, as a nation, decide to fight a war %u2013 in Iraq or anywhere else %u2013 it should be fought by average Americans who are drafted.

I think the above is key to what Andy Rooney said. Going to war is serious. All citizens should be engaged and when they are, citizens will only fight to defend their country and not recklessly squander the funding for their countries infrastructure and blow the economic future of their children and grandchildren. Some people have gotten wealthy off this war and will profit from the debt. How many in this country will now actually end up with less in their futures? Maybe we'd all have a better sense of just how threatened we were by Iraq if we'd all been faced with a more personalized decision to engage in combat with them or not. Our american corporations have grown into bigger mult-national corporations. We are being robbed. Multinationals can move their headquarters.

[lars008-2009]

%u201CIt is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.%u201D Theodore Roosevelt

"Criticism is necessary and useful; it is often indispensable; but it can never take the place of action, or be even a poor substitute for it. The function of the mere critic is of very subordinate usefulness. It is the doer of deeds who actually counts in the battle for life, and not the man who looks on and says how the fight ought to be fought, without himself sharing the stress and the danger." (1894) Theodore Roosevelt

To sit home, read one's favorite paper, and scoff at the misdeeds of the men who do things is easy, but it is markedly ineffective. It is what evil men count upon the good men's doing. - The Outlook December 21, 1895 Theodore Roosevelt

[lars008-2009]

peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first,

The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life. Theodore Roosevelt

[lars008-2009]

there is no peace with fascist nazi islam....

dnc are like john adams and want to give their lunch money to fascist nazi islam hoping they will leave them alone...

gop are like thomas jefferson and want to use their lunch money to kick fascist nazi islam's arse......

Thomas Jefferson knew about fascist nazi islam..... he killed plenty of them....

In 1786 Jefferson and John Adams went to negotiate with Tripoli's envoy to London, Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdrahaman or (Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja). They asked him by what right he extorted money and took slaves. Jefferson reported to Secretary of State John Jay, and to the Congress:

The ambassador answered us that [the right] was founded on the Laws of the Prophet (Mohammed), that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have answered their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as prisoners, and that every Mussulman who should be slain in battle was sure to go to heaven.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Barbary_War
http://www.usvetdsp.com/jan07/jeff_quran.htm
http://www.khouse.org/articles/2007/691/
http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/2002_winter_spring/terrorism.htm

[lars008-2009]

Patrick Henry
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! March 23, 1775