On this day in history, 12/1/1969

[Sir Lawrence]

The first draft lottery since WWII, 12/1/1969.   Both of my older brothers were subject to the draft lottery, both served, although in different capacities.  For the younger readers, it was based on your day and month of birth for every male born between 1944 and 1950:  The days of the year (including February 29) were represented by the numbers 1 through 366 written on slips of paper and then pulled out of a jar.

I was still a lad, but there were disruptions on the Marquette Campus, including an occupation of administrative offices, etc. 

[HouWarrior]

My older brother got lucky with a high number. I had to register also, but we were winding down in Vietnam and I had little draft risk.

Sometimes I wonder.

The draft  or risk  of being drafted vested us with a personal stake in prosecuting a war. Vietnam was a protest of the young who refused to be drafted/forced to fight a war they did not support.



I realize I walk to the edge of politics here...but I like what a friend suggested once....anytime we have a war lasting more than 6 months it should automatically trigger : 1) a general registration and draft (vesting the citizenry lives);; and 2) tax increases to pay fully the cost. His theory was.... If the war is needed we will approve and offer up our kids and $..... but that a mere volunteer (no draft) army makes it too easy to sell us on warmaking...especially if we dont raise taxes.

[jesmu84]

My older brother got lucky with a high number. I had to register also, but we were winding down in Vietnam and I had little draft risk.

Sometimes I wonder.

The draft  or risk  of being drafted vested us with a personal stake in prosecuting a war. Vietnam was a protest of the young who refused to be drafted/forced to fight a war they did not support.



I realize I walk to the edge of politics here...but I like what a friend suggested once....anytime we have a war lasting more than 6 months it should automatically trigger : 1) a general registration and draft (vesting the citizenry lives);; and 2) tax increases to pay fully the cost. His theory was.... If the war is needed we will approve and offer up our kids and $..... but that a mere volunteer (no draft) army makes it too easy to sell us on warmaking...especially if we dont raise taxes.

In your scenario, I'd be willing to bet Congress would find a way to define what a "war" is differently, then. Too much money to be made in military conflict.

[4everwarriors]

My older brother got lucky with a high number. I had to register also, but we were winding down in Vietnam and I had little draft risk.

Sometimes I wonder.

The draft  or risk  of being drafted vested us with a personal stake in prosecuting a war. Vietnam was a protest of the young who refused to be drafted/forced to fight a war they did not support.



I realize I walk to the edge of politics here...but I like what a friend suggested once....anytime we have a war lasting more than 6 months it should automatically trigger : 1) a general registration and draft (vesting the citizenry lives);; and 2) tax increases to pay fully the cost. His theory was.... If the war is needed we will approve and offer up our kids and $..... but that a mere volunteer (no draft) army makes it too easy to sell us on warmaking...especially if we dont raise taxes.

Smart dudes went ta Canada rather den get der asses blown off in some fooked up jungle. Became mensa inductees when amnesty was granted ta those north of da border, ai na?

[jesmu84]

Smart dudes went ta Canada rather den get der asses blown off in some fooked up jungle. Became mensa inductees when amnesty was granted ta those north of da border, ai na?

Some people might call that move "unpatriotic"

[warriorchick]

Wait, I want to know what happened to Brad Lindskog and his championship steer, Conoco.

[Herman Cain]

This was a terrible time. One of the reasons why there were so many taking all sorts of drugs. It really sucked.

[MU82]

My older brother got lucky with a high number. I had to register also, but we were winding down in Vietnam and I had little draft risk.

Sometimes I wonder.

The draft  or risk  of being drafted vested us with a personal stake in prosecuting a war. Vietnam was a protest of the young who refused to be drafted/forced to fight a war they did not support.



I realize I walk to the edge of politics here...but I like what a friend suggested once....anytime we have a war lasting more than 6 months it should automatically trigger : 1) a general registration and draft (vesting the citizenry lives);; and 2) tax increases to pay fully the cost. His theory was.... If the war is needed we will approve and offer up our kids and $..... but that a mere volunteer (no draft) army makes it too easy to sell us on warmaking...especially if we dont raise taxes.

The problem is that the privileged class that doesn't want to go to war (or doesn't want their sons to go to war) can usually figure out a way to buy themselves out of it.

Trump's rich daddy kept his little orange son out of Vietnam thanks to 4 college deferments and one for alleged bad feet. And this isn't a shot just at Trump, just an example. Rich people of all political persuasions kept their kids out of harm's way while their poorer brothers-in-arms suffered.

I have serious doubts whether a draft system would be any more equitable now.

[Blackhat]

Wars may not even have many people in direct conflict in 60 years.   At least for the American military.