Selective service?

[pinkmandy]

I've been poking around, trying to figure out how we can get rid of it and trying to find out what successes, if any, people have had with fighting it. With my own boys growing up I have an issue with knowing that one day they have to sign up for this or be prosecuted, not to mention the possibility of more wars and the govt needing more recruits in the near future? Do we own our bodies or not?

I found this site but it doesn't look all that current: http://stopthedraft.com/index.php?sectionID=60

Here's some info on selective service: http://www.selectiveservice.us/

And here's a recent lawsuit but the ruling was based on an older ruling upholding it. The author, though, seems to advocate a "shared sense of sacrifice". Why should anyone 'have to sacrifice' for a govt's political agenda?

In 1981, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3, in Rotsker v. Goldberg, that Congress, in enacting the Selective Service Act, was within its Constitutional authority and was entitled to great deference, and that the Court should not substitute its judgment for that of Congress. Further, the Court held that Congress adequately and extensively considered the policy issue of including women, ultimately rejecting it, despite a request from President Carter. While the policy may be unequal, the Court in short felt that military need trumped any equity arguments.

U.S. Senior District Judge Edward F. Harrington, first to rule on the challenge, perhaps best stated my viewpoint on the legal issue: "If a deeply-rooted military tradition of male only draft registration is to be ended, it should be accomplished by that branch of government which has the constitutional power to do so and which best represents the 'consent of the governed' — the Congress of the United States."

http://tank.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YTFhYTc4NDQ0ZTcyN2I2Mzk3YjEwZTQ0ZDgyOGMyY2E=

I haven't found a recent lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of selective service? Especially after listening to Obama's ideas on citizen brigades I'm really concerned. Wouldn't now be a ripe time to tackle this issue?

 

[heavenlyboy34]

As far as I know, you don't have to sign up unless you sign up for federal handouts or loans. It would be nice if a RP-esque person put the issue to rest, though.

 

[dannno]

Is your husband a really good lawyer by chance?

 

[pinkmandy]

Is your husband a really good lawyer by chance?

No- he's a lab tech. I minored in law so I have *some* understanding of the system. I think I'm going to contact the owners of the stop the draft site and see what's up on their end, why the slowdown and see what I can do to help. I need a mission right now.

 

[Danke]

http://www.rense.com/general63/nat.htm

http://educate-yourself.org/cn/refusevolunteerdraft14aug08.shtml

http://www.the7thfire.com/debt_elimination/draft_freedom.htm

 

[Zippyjuan]

The draft has not been used since the 1970's. Odds are he will never be drafted.

He is required to register but can register as a conscientious objector. From you linked SSS site:

Conscientious objection
According to the SSS,

A conscientious objector is one who is opposed to serving in the armed forces and/or bearing arms on the grounds of moral or religious principles.
...
Beliefs which qualify a registrant for CO status may be religious in nature, but don't have to be. Beliefs may be moral or ethical; however, a man's reasons for not wanting to participate in a war must not be based on politics, expediency, or self-interest. In general, the man's lifestyle prior to making his claim must reflect his current claims.
The Supreme Court has ruled in cases United States v. Seeger (1965) and Welsh v. United States (1970) that conscientious objection can be due to non-religious beliefs as well as religious beliefs; but it has also ruled in Gillette v. United States (1971) against objections to specific wars as grounds for conscientious objection.

There is currently no mechanism to indicate that one is a conscientious objector in the Selective Service system. According to the SSS, after one is drafted, one can claim Conscientious Objector status and then justify it before the Local Board. This is criticized because, during the times of a draft, when country is in emergency conditions, there will be increased pressure for Local Boards to be more harsh on conscientious objector claims.

There are two types of status for conscientious objectors. If one only objects to combat, but not to service in the military, then one is given noncombatant service in the military without training of weapons. If one objects to all military service, then one is given "Alternative Service" with a job "deemed to make a meaningful contribution to the maintenance of the national health, safety, and interest."

 

[pinkmandy]

See, I don't think anyone should be required to register. I think it should be voluntary. Opt in, not jump through hoops to opt out. Bugs me just like compulsory schooling and vaccinations...all should be opt in.

I'm concerned with Obama's push for citizen service and possible future implications of that for our kids as well. One thing leads to another leads to another.

 

[NaT805]

Bugs me just like compulsory schooling and vaccinations...all should be opt in.

Vaccines are voluntary, but it's against school policy not to have them, so if you don't get them you aren't allowed at school and after 14 days they arrest you for truancy.

 

[satchelmcqueen]

Vaccines are voluntary, but it's against school policy not to have them, so if you don't get them you aren't allowed at school and after 14 days they arrest you for truancy.

forced voluntary.

 

[pinkmandy]

Vaccines are voluntary, but it's against school policy not to have them, so if you don't get them you aren't allowed at school and after 14 days they arrest you for truancy.

Vaccines are opt out, not opt in. That's my issue with them but you are right- they are tied to school attendance, military, and is some states the ability to receive types of social assistance. A parent shouldn't have to jump through any hoops to do what he/she feels is best for the kiddos. You can opt out in most states- WV and another (can't recall which one now- ND maybe?) make it more difficult allowing only for a medical exemption, signed by a doctor who agrees they aren't safe for your child. VA has medical and religious. Many states also have philosophical exemptions. It's really annoying having to deal w/a barrage of questions every time one of the kids need to see a doctor and they find out they aren't "current" on their vaccinations.

 

[cindy25]

draft registration is mainly symbolic; even if there was no stupid registration if the government passed a draft they could easily get the info from other sources. and since it's required for driver's licenses in most states it can't be avoided.

but you should plan for an eventual draft with the following assumptions:
1) it will be men and women
2) no college exemptions


but imaginative long term planning does help.

our family knew someone during the 60s who at the age of 14 started to plan by having increasingly bad vision. while he wore Clark Kent glasses in high school, his official records showed far worse vison, and he had a pair every year made to coincide with the bad eye exam.

the result: 4F

and because all the records matched no one questioned it

asthma is another perfect illness to have on your child's medical records. doctor just prescibes ventolin and an inhaler.

the other option is dual citizenship. thousands of Chinese have their babies born in Vancouver every year. just as insurance.

by the way an appeals court in Boston just threw out the employment ban for federal employees that did not register.

 

[akihabro]

Prosecution is a paper tiger. Might be hard to get federal employment if you don't register. I never tried. I received a notice a long time ago, but I was already signed up to enter the Army. I never registered.