It's time for this insanity to stop. It's time for the chickenhawks in the administration to face up the the horror they've brought to the world. Maybe if their kids start dying in their pointless war, they'll wake up to what they've done to the Iraqi people, to the American people, the people, and most of all, to our brave soldiers who have died fighting for nothing.

The bravery and heroism of the troops in their quest for WMD and democracy rings a bit flat when suddenly it could be your Ivy league brother or friend getting his face shot off.

I applaud Rep Rangel's motives, as his draft call does shines a hilarious spotlight on the sudden uncertainty so many so-called Red State Patriots face when it could be them called into battle.

At the same time, his timing couldn't be worse. The democrats have just taken office and his headline capturing antics are just making the party look extreme when no one in Congress has in the past ever supported this measure.

Has Charles Rangel lost his mind!! I am a registered Democrat if his bill passes and there is a draft I can assure Mr. Rangel and any Democrat that votes for it, myself and a lot of other mothers will never vote democrat again. The draft will put the nail in the coffin for the Democrat party.

It's time to get out of Iraq, split it into three countries and go. Turkey will just have to deal with it.

On August 28, 2006, I conducted a 45-minute audio interview with Congressman Rangel about his proposal to re-instate the draft. It's now online in the newly-launched "Re-instating the Draft Channel" at:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid315932884

You and others can embed this video player on your own pages with this code:

You can use any material you find of interest in the interview, as long as you credit it to me and Etopia News, at www.etopiamedia.net.

Regards,

Marc Strassman
Reporter-producer
Etopia News

Pardon me, I'm not sure if any of you have actually read the text of the bill, but it calls for a military draft, or for CO's, there are auxiliary services available, Forest Service, Border Patrol.

Personally, even though i may not enjoy the prospect, i think this is an excellent idea. What is wrong with everyone contributing to this nation? It's almost like the return of the WPA, and i really don't see this as a bad thing.

What is the problem with having a nation capable of fighting, heaven forfend?

My point is this: i think it would make our political leadership a lot more sober if they knew they had to worry about answering to a population with military training.

Islamic extremists are real; the threat they pose to Western democracies is real; this benighted effort by Bush and the neo-con shows how marginally effective the military could be.

The threat is real; our preparation for a long struggle should also be real. That means the country should move towards a "war" footing. That means paying attention to saving fuel (which would help end the Alice In Wonderland madness of paying to fight the Islamists and via fuel inefficiencies paying for the Islamists' bullets!); that means the political leaders must all work to educate the public about the seriousness of the struggle; that means the cost of the struggle will certainly be more than the "on the cheap" effort in Iraq; that means a mobilization; that means a draft.

If the threat is real, the response must be real; no one wants a draft; everyone must be aware that a draft is necessary.

If we're not prepared to take these steps, the next big money-maker will be prayer rugs.

It is apparent, Gene, if nothing else your fear is real. Just as it's apparent that your fear is affecting your judgement. What you and so many others seem to overlook in your arguments about the reality of the terror threat is the degree to which this threat will affect our daily lives. You seem to suggest we as a country need to mobilize in a great show of strength and take extreme action to protect ourselves.

You are far more likely to be killed on America's highways by some distracted, cell-phone using, SUV driver than you are in a terrorist act. So please, get a grip on yourself.

This situation is one of the great ironies of our time - that so many of the most strident supporters of "the war on terror" are those who are already terrified themselves! Even more twisted - those remaining calm and asking for thought and reason are labeled the "cut and run" crowd. I say ask yourself just who is it that's running around crying "the sky is falling"?

Let me be clear - we do need to take action in response to this emerging threat. But let's not lose our heads while we consider the right steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones. In the meantime, suck it up and hold your water.

We should have a draft. Every American should serve the country in some capacity...

Well folks, back when we had the draft, the rich kids still stayed in college while the poor went to war! Actually that was what the National Guard was supposed to be for, not for fighting in foreign countries. The F.B.I.is there to keep you safe from the imaginary terrorists you are so afraid of. I kind of watch that one I hear threatening us all the time. Why is it so many people are so afraid of their own shadow, every thing makes them nervous,I haven't seen a whole lot to upset me. I hear the mind games that the politicians try to play on all the non-thinking people, maybe thats it.