The "D Word
Once in awhile, politicians mention the word "draft" and I hate that word.
My son is 18. He graduated high school this year, just got his driver's license, got his first job at KFC, and started college this Fall. These are his first steps into adulthood, yet he's still a kid. I read his blog (he doesn't know, and I probably shouldn't read it, especially when he's writing posts about "the girl with big titties" who works at KFC with him). Besides his new responsibilities and infatuation with the girl with big titties, his main concerns in life right now are about hanging with his friends and pondering whether the Wii is better than the XBox 360.
Recently, Nancy Pelosi said, "Just as I have opposed the war from the outset, I am opposed to a draft and I am opposed to a war surtax."
Why doesn't that make me feel better? Because just saying she opposes something means nothing. They're empty words. I would feel better if she actually did something to make sure there is no draft. But Nancy Pelosi has about as much power to affect change as I do, which is not much.
I don't worry about this all the time. But, I start thinking about it when I hear the word come up every now and then. For instance, New York Representative Charles Rangel thinks a draft is a good idea for ending the Iraq war. From the Bush Administration, Douglas Lute, or the man with the longest title ever, White House Deputy National Security Adviser Lieutenant General Douglas Lute made a statement a few months ago that the military draft "has always been an option on the table."
That makes me nervous because one thing we've learned from the Bush Administration is if something bad can happen, they'll make sure it does.
In the event that there is a draft, my son could refuse by saying he's a Conscientious Objector. But, it's not enough to say it, he has to prove it. So I'm thinking about mentioning to him that he should write a few blog posts or college essays about opposing the war. Maybe drag him to an anti-war rally and take a lot of pictures of him holding a sign that says I OPPOSE WAR. That way it's all documented.
Worst Case Scenario: If he got drafted, I would kidnap my own son and hide him somewhere. I'm sure there are a lot of flag-waving, conservative patriots out there that would LOVE to take his place anyway.
I know this sounds paranoid, but I'm a mom, he's my kid, and I can't help it.
Courage to Resist
Lt. Ehran Watada was the first officer to refuse to fight in Iraq. His reason is because it's an illegal war. Since then, others have come forward and joined him in Courage to Resist, while thousands of other soldiers have gone AWOL (many are in Canada). I support their decision. These kids (and most are just kids) join the military because they're lured in with talk of medals, honor, heroic duty, becoming a "real" man, and making Dad proud (yeah, you've seen those commercials). They don't realize that their only purpose is to be a trained killer for the government. Then, after being dropped off in the desert in some foreign country and getting a reality check on what war is really like, they decide they don't like the idea of killing people or getting killed and make a run for it.
Anyway, the military's attempt to court-marshall Watada resulted in a mistrial. Then, the military decided to have a new trial, but Watada's attorneys are declaring it unconstitutional because it's Double-Jeopardy. Watada isn't home free yet, but it looks like he stands a pretty good chance of winning this.
This is an entry on Ehran Watada I wrote in July 2006, Lt. Ehran Watada Brings It On.
