Charlie Rangel - Lack of 'decent career' forces yongsters to join military (2 Viewers)

[DadsDream]

Mr. Rangel was responding to a question about a study by a conservative think tank, the Heritage Foundation, which found that those enlisting in the military tend to be better educated than the general public...

Rangel Adopts the Logic of Kerry's ‘Joke'
By JOSH GERSTEIN
Staff Reporter of the Sun
November 27, 2006

Rep. Charles Rangel has adopted Senator Kerry's "botched joke" about unsuccessful young people ending up in the military — only Mr. Rangel is not joking.

"If a young fellow has an option of having a decent career, or joining the Army to fight in Iraq, you can bet your life that he would not be in Iraq," Mr. Rangel, a Democrat representing Manhattan and Queens, said on "Fox News Sunday."

"If there's anyone who believes these youngsters want to fight, as the Pentagon and some generals have said, you can just forget about it. No bright young individual wants to fight just because of a bonus and just because of educational benefits. And most all of them come from communities of very, very high unemployment," the congressman said.

READ MORE
http://www.nysun.com/article/44138

 

[varanook]

Duh, did anyone believe that ours soldiers want to be there?

 

[CT Saints Fan]

Duh, did anyone believe that ours soldiers want to be there?

Like Pat Tillman and his brother, or any of the 10s of thousands of others who have voluntarily enlisted, or re-enlisted, AFTER we were already there?

 

[Guntrain]

Rep. Rangel has been talking about the draft for a few years now. His motive is simple: scare people into thinking that they might be drafted (despite the fact that the Army is meeting their recruiting goals). His is doing this to undermine any support in the American populace for the war in Iraq. His short sided thinking would only undermine the overall “war on global terror” as well. Rangel is cleaver, but dishonest with his motivation, once again claiming to be a champion of the opposed and underprivileged. The military is a great way for the underprivileged to break free of poverty.

 

[Brad Mojo]

So is it the Army's fault that they are unsuccessful? We should all be thanking the military for hiring all of these kids who couldn't be gainfully employed elsewhere. What a great service they are doing for the country by turning these kids into responsible citizens.

 

[JimEverett]

I like Charlie, but he is making a fool of himself on this issue. I am sure that there are some people who join the military becasue it is their best financial option at the time, even though they don;t want to fight.
At the same time I know there are a whole lot of people who are extrememly proud to serve and consider it an honor and even a patriotic duty. Rangel is insulting all those people and their families.

 

[GDAWG]

What is the age limit for a draft?

 

[DadsDream]

Age limit if we impose a draft? Currently it's ages 18 - 26, males only.

WWI Draft - Males 21 - 35
Pre-WWII Draft - Males 21 -35
WWII Draft - Males 18 - 35
1948 Draft - Males 19 - 26
Korean War Draft - Males 18.5 - 35, changed to Males 18 -36
Vietnam War Draft - 18 - 36 with greatly expanded exemptions and deferments. Nixon granted deferment to any man who's number wasn't called by age 19.

You can also expect numerous gender-based challenges to any new draft. Selective Service is already making contingency plans to include females.

http://www.sss.gov/inslink.htm

 

[CAVALIER]

Uh....I joined after the war in Iraq started knowing that I would probably go. I am happy with my career move and enjoy serving my country. It is difficult but service to nation is rewrding....