Cindy Sheehan: Close the Window, I Feel a Draft

A BUZZFLASH GUEST CONTRIBUTION
by Cindy Sheehan

There is a sort of conventional "wisdom" among some people who are against the chaos and confusion of an occupation that gets more nightmarish by the minute, that a forced conscription would end the war quickly. These same people see it as a panacea to get the college students and their parents out protesting, like during the Vietnam war.

Although, I admire Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), who himself, served during the Korean conflict and has been serving America, honorably, as a Congressman for many years, I am 100%, categorically opposed to forced conscription and think that Mr. Rangel is seriously misguided on this issue.

First of all, we had forced conscription during the entire outrage that was the Vietnam War. That war lasted 13 years and cost the lives of millions of people. A draft didn't stop that war and, in fact, provided fresh and continual cannon fodder for the war profiteers. Escalation of that conflict was horrific as the proposed escalation of Iraq will only beget new slaughter on a heretofore unprecedented and unimaginable scale. Forced conscription deals out the death and destruction at a greater and more deadly pace.

Secondly, a draft will never be fair and balanced. The children of the wealthy (who oftentimes are war profiteers themselves) will always be able to get out of war. Children of presidents, future presidents, Congressional Reps and Senators will never be forced to serve in the wars that their fathers and mothers commit other children to. A draft will not equalize what we have for the most part in our country, now, a poverty draft. The children of the poor and marginalized of our society are the ones who always have to pay for the greed of a very few.

Finally, a draft will only give the war machine more of our children to consume to generate its wealth. As Rep. Rangel said, we can't fight wars in North Korea and Iran without a draft. I say "Amen!" We can't fight wars in North Korea and Iran without a draft! More bullet sponges for two more needless wars: Please, God, no!

I know many of our children joined the military to pay for college or because there were no other options in their communities due to the fact that the Pentagon sucks the very marrow of life from each and every American. Why would we force feed this monster that steals our children and bleeds our pocketbooks dry? We should never force our children into the mouth of the behemoth, but we should also do everything in our power to stop them from volunteering for the same duty. Putting more of our bodies under the control of irresponsible maniacs, is just, well, irresponsible!

I realize that our troops are stretched thin and to the breaking point in Iraq and Afghanistan and many are on their way back for an obscene fourth tour of duty when they should never have been required to go even once. The solution is not fresh flesh and blood, but to bring the troops home immediately, if not sooner.

If we can't pull our troops out of the quicksand soon, then I propose a couple of equitable and alternative solutions to the draft.

The hypocritical right, who still support George and his messy morass in the Middle East, need to quit making excuses and putting "Support our Troops" magnets on their cars, and start putting their so-called money where their ill-informed mouths are by enlisting to go and take the place of our tired and abused troops. If there is a draft, it should only be conducted in Congressional districts that voted for pro-war candidates. No more tough-talking about fighting them over there so we don't have to fight them here. Here's a message for warniks: Go and fight them over there, or send your children, if you think the mission is so righteous. This includes presidential party girls and the previously untouchable children of Congress.

The oldest reservist that I have heard of being called back to complete his/her service to the country is incredibly a 65 year old doctor who was in the military at the end of Vietnam and was able to leave because the war was over. George Bush did not complete his military obligations to the USA and should be immediately re-called to finish his stint. I think FOB Liberty in Sadr City would be a great place for George to experience first hand the horrors and sorrows of war. Any other member of the administration or Congress who did not serve their country in the armed forces should be drafted before they draft my 18 year old nephew or (over my dead body) my 23 year old son. Any radio or TV commentator who is still propagandizing America with their lies, deceit, and hate should also be deployed to a hot war zone and maybe share office space with al-Jazeera to show their real support of BushCo and, let's face it, cold-blooded murder. Any child or grandchild of any Congressional rep who votes to continue the carnage by way of funding the same carnage, should be required to don the uniform of the war racketeers that line their parents'/grandparents' pockets.

I know hundreds of people all over the world who have put their entire lives on hold and have forfeited so much to make peace-work a full-time activity. Most of the time, the pay isn't even as good as a buck private and the benefits package is non-existent, but we believe so strongly in true peace that we are willing to make these sacrifices. It is time that the right shows the same kind of courage and commitment.

Put up or shut up...either way. If you support George, go to war. If you support peace, go to Congress to demand peace.

Realistically, any kind of forced conscription would be political suicide for any party and the last time Rep. Rangel's bill came up for a vote, it received just two "yea" votes and 402 "nays," but, instead of even considering Rep. Rangel's bill, we should be insisting that our elected officials support Rep. Jim McGovern's (D-Ma) HR4232 that ends funding for the genocide. When Congress cut the funding for Vietnam, that's what stopped that war. No matter how accomplished BushCo are at committing war crimes, even George can't wage a war with no money. It's time to close off the column in the budget that says "Iraq War" and open some up that say "jobs' programs for teens and young adults in marginal communities; college grants and tuition assistance; day care; sustainable energy policies; really and truly, No Child Left Behind; Gulf Coast rehabilitation; universal health care, etc."

Join Gold Star Families for Peace in Congress for our Walk for Change on January 3rd and 4th. If you live near House Speaker, Pelosi's office in San Francisco, or Senate Majority Leader Reid's place in Nevada, go vigil or demonstrate in these locations until they lead in the direction that we want to follow. Make nuisances of yourselves for peace at your local elected reps' offices.

The only sane and true direction is out of Iraq and towards impeachment and accountability.

A BUZZFLASH GUEST CONTRIBUTION

Cindy Sheehan is the mother of Spec. Casey Sheehan who was killed in Bush's war of terror on 04/04/04. She is the co-founder and president of Gold Star Families for Peace and founder and director of the Camp Casey Peace Institute. Cindy has published three books and the latest is Peace Mom: A Mother's Journey Through Heartache to Activism.

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