I am Michael Cummings and I approved this message: Recently, I read an article which noted how the voting age youths of this country are interested in the presidential election this year more than ever. On the flip side there is a rumor and concern sweeping the internet world that the government may re-institute the military draft. You think these two things have any connection with each other? I typically keep my political views to myself, but I could not resist this one. Now, I will disclose my bias opinion since I am a retired MSgt with the USAF. But to simply vote for a candidate simply based on whether they would re-institute the draft? This is such B...S..T! I have always felt to a certain degree that the lower middle income people have consistantly supported and filled most of the ranks of our military, partly out of patriotism, but also out of economic necessity and opportunity. I also have felt that ALL, men and women, should be required to serve a 2-year commitment to the military branch. And yes, aside from those medical and education benefits, one runs the risk of going to war. The bottom line is that freedom is not free. I know it may be be a cliche' but the fact is that the country has to be protected by all of us, not just a select few. Do I want war....no! Do I think it is unavoidable from time to time....no! But as soon as a world event impacts our way of life and liberty, it is the same people who stay in their cousy little worlds and say "go get them boys. Now I know I am probably going to catch H..l for this but I think it needs to be said and I have big shoulders. On a final note, I do have a son in his twenties which would be eligible and no, he does not totally agree with my views on this issue. Is this country great or what?! All of you all have yourself a great "Corvette Weekend"

Coudn't have said it any better!

Hi,
Had to chime in on this one. When we went to war the first time (Kuaiti liberation) I was young and not doing anything too important so I walked down to the recruiter and signed up to see what I could do. I didn't think I wasn't going to the Persian Gulf. In fact I wound up going on two tours "opreation Southern watch" and an expidionary one "operation Vigilant Sentinal". and proud of it.
Not every generation is called on to do this but every 30 or 40 years a generation is called on to answer the call. It is an awesome resposibility, it is dangerous, It is an HONOR. and all these young men and women need from us right now is our gratitude, our respect and our support. They will be victors like the others that went before them.
What we dont need is the the ------g phony liberals crying about sending our "boys off to war" They dont know what it takes, who we are, or the definition of Honor, courage ,commitment. They should just say thankyou and be on their way.
Mark

Tunnelback said: Hi, Had to chime in on this one. When we went to war the first time (Kuaiti liberation) I was young and not doing anything too important so I walked down to the recruiter and signed up to see what I could do. I didn't think I wasn't going to the Persian Gulf. In fact I wound up going on two tours "opreation Southern watch" and an expidionary one "operation Vigilant Sentinal". and proud of it. Not every generation is called on to do this but every 30 or 40 years a generation is called on to answer the call. It is an awesome resposibility, it is dangerous, It is an HONOR. and all these young men and women need from us right now is our gratitude, our respect and our support. They will be victors like the others that went before them. What we dont need is the the ------g phony liberals crying about sending our "boys off to war" They dont know what it takes, who we are, or the definition of Honor, courage ,commitment. They should just say thankyou and be on their way. Mark

82CE said: I am Michael Cummings and I approved this message: Recently, I read an article which noted how the voting age youths of this country are interested in the presidential election this year more than ever. On the flip side there is a rumor and concern sweeping the internet world that the government may re-institute the military draft. You think these two things have any connection with each other? I typically keep my political views to myself, but I could not resist this one. Now, I will disclose my bias opinion since I am a retired MSgt with the USAF. But to simply vote for a candidate simply based on whether they would re-institute the draft? This is such B...S..T! I have always felt to a certain degree that the lower middle income people have consistantly supported and filled most of the ranks of our military, partly out of patriotism, but also out of economic necessity and opportunity. I also have felt that ALL, men and women, should be required to serve a 2-year commitment to the military branch. And yes, aside from those medical and education benefits, one runs the risk of going to war. The bottom line is that freedom is not free. I know it may be be a cliche' but the fact is that the country has to be protected by all of us, not just a select few. Do I want war....no! Do I think it is unavoidable from time to time....no! But as soon as a world event impacts our way of life and liberty, it is the same people who stay in their cousy little worlds and say "go get them boys. Now I know I am probably going to catch H..l for this but I think it needs to be said and I have big shoulders. On a final note, I do have a son in his twenties which would be eligible and no, he does not totally agree with my views on this issue. Is this country great or what?! All of you all have yourself a great "Corvette Weekend"

I have a 19 year old step-son that is totally wigged out abot the rumor of the draft. He's such a wimp.

I told him to get over it and that you turn my stomach in your lack of respect for those who have fought and died for this country and for those that keep you safe at night while you play your video games and sleep in a comfortable bed.

Personally I beleive MOST, not all, of the younger generation are looking for the candiates that will keep them lazy and make their lives easy. This generation of kids are so lazy they want everything given to them, they don't know the meaning of hard work or what its like to have to wait for anything. Eveything is me, me, me, and piss on those who get in my may.

My 15 yr old step daughter thinks she has to have a cell phone. Excuse me. I don't even have one, why do you think you can convince me you need one. Its all because other kids have one or because they think it gives them respect and status because its a material thing. You want respect from me get a job, earn your keep, don't show me any disrespect, and do you chores with out any lip, go to church, and don't lie.

They don't understand whats it like not to have nothing. My parents didn't have a microwave in their house when I was growing up so if you wanted to eat something you had to take time to cook it. My step daughter refuses to eat if she has to prepare it herself or if can't be prepared quickly in a microwave. My step-son has never had a job..... well I take that back he worked two weeks at a Chik filet and he said it was too hard.

When I grew up I worked on a farm for money. Pitching has from 5 am till dark and then getting back up and doing it all again the next day.

Sorry you got me started.

After Shark said: They don't understand whats it like not to have nothing. My parents didn't have a microwave in their house when I was growing up so if you wanted to eat something you had to take time to cook it. My step daughter refuses to eat if she has to prepare it herself or if can't be prepared quickly in a microwave. My step-son has never had a job..... well I take that back he worked two weeks at a Chik filet and he said it was too hard.

sounds like the 19 yr old needs to sink or swim...

First Comment: Should the draft be re-imposed?
Answer: NO
Reason: I do not want the military weighted down by a bunch a wimps that do not want to be there and would be doing all they could to get out. The liberals have partial control of our military and in doing so have instituted a huge array of leftist activities to create the new "kinder gentler" military. These sissies would be spending billions of your taxes in sick call and in legal trying to get processed out. We would have a enourous military of worthless soldiers. Those that are there now for whatever reason are there because they choose to be there.

Comment two concerning the youth of America:
My son, 18 yr old(SR Hodges USN) was just like many of the teens and young adults mentioned in this discussion. He felt he HAD to have a cell phone when he was 15. He HAD to have a car when he was 16. He did not want to have a job but did find that once he got one he really enjoyed the income and was a dependable employee. This "I want what I have coming" mentality is seeded in the propaganda that is pounding young people.
The solution:
DO NOT allow the likes of John(Commie Hugger)Kerry in the White House. I would never have encouraged my son to enlist if this sick bastard was in office. I am horrified at the thought that this two faced PrXXK could be in charge of my son.

No...I don't see a need for a renewal of a draft. 'Nuff said on that.

As to the younger generation. I think all generations have their slackers and doers. I've seen both and at times have been discouraged about our nation's future. Lately I have seen a new generation of doers coming of age. One of my closest friends has three of the greatest kids in the world...all smart and hard working and dedicated to what interests them. His eldest is about to graduate college and she saved from when she was an early teen to help pay her own way. His son just entered the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech with the intent of going into the Coast Guard as a helicopter pilot. He's an Eagle Scout with many awards and accomplishments. Whenever he faced a choice in his short life, he always chose the most challenging course of action rather than the easy way. One fine young man. My buddy's youngest daughter is following the same course of her older siblings.

My fiance has a daughter who loves dance and intends to be on Broadway and have her own dance studio eventually (and she's only thirteen now). She has dance lessons four evenings a week and Saturdays and still keeps honor roll grades. She has dedicated herself to this.

When I see youngsters like these, it makes me feel good about the future of our country. We'll always have some slackers, but the cream will rise to the top.

Another thing that really bugs me these days.The total misunderstanding of what the word hero means.You see it all the time used to describe a ball player or some other sports figure,that got a home run,or scored a TD at the end of a game,to win it.I think a hero is the one that puts him/her self on the line to help someone else,an unselfish act above & beyond the "call of duty",etc. even to the point of risking their life to save someone else

"Hero" and "Role Model" both are overused and confused. Most with the title are neither. I don't know why the press wants to make them into what they are not. I don't know why so many accept them as such.
Sports figures are not role models, much less heros. Some select persons are, but not most.

My draft number was quite low. That meant I was going to be fitted with jungle boots for Vietnam. Right after they picked the numbers, and I was secheduled to go, they stopped the draft. And yet, I went and talked to the recuriters about joining. It came down to getting the job I applied for, or joining. I got the job. Either way, I went to work. Looking back, sometimes I wish I had joined.

As a teen, I worked my hind end off in my dad's businesses. At 10 and 11 I was washing dishes in my folks 24 hour a day restaurant, and helping dad do side jobs on cars in the driveway. Later at 14, dad worked at a service station, then had his own station. There I worked for free. I had gas in the car, and a few bucks, but most of my friends had more in their pocket mowing lawns one day a week than I had for the month.

AND I'm not griping. It was for the good of the family. It was my part, my job.

My oldest daughter graduated both high school and college with honors, worked full time while in college, and got married while in college. She took dance lessons, voice lessons, won Miss Teen Cuyahoga Falls, Miss Teen Summit County, and competed in Miss Teen America. Later she was up to first runner up for Miss Summit County, which would have put her in Miss Ohio if she would have won. She has won awards for theater both at school and community theater. She is now a high school english teacher.

My youngest is 14, She is involved in everything she can get into. Church, school yearbook, theater, etc.

There is hope for many young people. Let's not forget the good ones. There were lazy ba****ds when we were young as well.