McDermott plays politics with the draft

The Seattle Times reported on Rep. Jim McDermott's (D-WA) rising star in the Democratic Party earlier this week, quoting his specific warnings to young people to be afraid, be very afraid:

He told the students that changes in military combat tours is "an unwritten, sneak draft." And he said an official draft could be coming soon.

"Everybody in this room who is 17 years old should know that the likelihood of a draft in a second Bush administration is almost a certainty," McDermott said.

Don't you think this article ought to have included this slightly relevant fact?:

McDermott Co-Sponsors Legislation to Reinstate the Draft

Washington, DC-- Congressman Jim McDermott has announced his co-sponsorship of Congressman Charles Rangel's legislation to reinstate the military draft and other forms of national service. The bill would require Americans between 18 and 26 to serve two years in the military or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security.

The bill, HR 163, is intended to ensure that the burden of military service is not borne disproportionately by the poor and numbers of minority groups.

Congressman McDermott commented that "I believe that if those who are pushing for war knew that their children might be required to share the burden of that war, there might be a greater willingness to work toward peace and a diplomatic solution. If, despite our best efforts, we end up in armed conflict, then fairness dictates that the sons and daughters of all classes participate."

"I am pleased to be an original co-sponsor of Congressman Rangel's bill, McDermott continued. "If we need to re-instate the draft in order to make the Administration consider the chilling consequences of war, so be it. I hope this will make them realize how important a diplomatic solution really is. "

In underscoring the need for broad public discussion about committing troops to conflict, McDermott reiterated his view that it is time to consider a period of compulsory service for every young person in our country. "The draft ended thirty years ago, and since then the sense of obligation as the price of citizenship has faded," he said. "I agree with Congressman Rangel that we need to find ways to share the sacrifices associated with committing our country to war, whether it's a campaign against illiteracy, poverty, hunger, or terrorism."

I know it might be overkill for their chief political reporter, David Postman, to, oh, take a look at Rep. McDermott's home page while doing an in-depth article about him, but can't he at least read his own paper? From columnist Danny Westneat:

"The military draft is coming!" said a recent e-mail, one of two dozen such warnings I've received in the past month. "Bush is quietly pushing it because he needs more troops. Can't you look into this before we're all hauled off to fight?"

OK, I looked into it. It's true, there is a proposal to revive the draft. Only not from Bush — from Seattle Congressman Jim McDermott.

Posted by Brian Crouch at August 01, 2004 12:48 AM | Email This