If pending legislation concerning a Military Draft goes unchallenged, the Selective Service System may go into effect. All young persons age 18-26 in the United States, including women will perform a period of military service. Our action on this is needed immediately.
The Selective Service System (Draft) may be imposed if we allow this government to perpetuate the war in Iraq and continue to wage wars in the Middle East for the exploitation of that regions natural resources. In 2004 the administration quietly tried to get these bills passed (Twin bills S 89 and HR 163) while the public's attention was on the elections. Our action on this is needed immediately so they don't continue to pursue these plans. $28 million was been added to the 2004 Selective Service System (SSS) budget to prepare for a military draft that would have started approx. June 15, 2005 if the people didn't prevent it from passing. Please see web site: www.sss.gov/perfplan_fy2004.html to view the SSS annual performance plan - fiscal year 2004. At that time, the pentagon quietly began a public campaign to fill all 10,350 draft board positions and 11,070 appeals board slots nationwide. Experts predict that if the War in Iraq continues [and a permanent state of war on "terrorism"] proves accurate, the U.S. may have no choice but to draft. Congress has brought twin bills, S. 89 and HR 163. http://www.hslda.org/Legislation/National/2003/S89/default.asp entitled the Universal National Service Act of 2003, "to provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons [age 18-26] in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes." These active bills currently sit in the committee on armed services. Dodging the draft will be more difficult than those from the Vietnam era. College and Canada will not be options. In December 2001, Canada and the U.S. signed a "smart border declaration," which could be used to keep would-be draft dodgers in. Signed by Canada's minister of foreign affairs, John Manley, and U.S. Homeland Security director, Tom Ridge, the declaration involves a 30 point plan which implements, among other things, a "pre clearance agreement" of people entering and departing each country. Reforms aimed at making the draft more equitable along gender and class lines also eliminates higher education as a shelter. Underclassmen would only be able to postpone service until the end of their current semester. Seniors would have until the end of the academic year. Even those voters who currently support US actions abroad may still object to this move, knowing their own children or grandchildren will not have a say about whether to fight. This plan, among other things, eliminates higher education as a shelter and includes women in the draft. The public has a right to air their opinions about such an important decision. Please send this on to all the friends, parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and cousins that you know. Let your children know too -- it's their future, and they can be a powerful voice for change! In addition to signing this petition, please also contact your representatives to ask them why they aren't telling their constituents about these bills .
