by Mazy Keller

Created on: April 10, 2009

A Military Draft May Not Be A Bad Thing!

Calling All Children of the 50's and 60's!

With the Presidential Election looming behind us - controversy abounds on many issues, - as it should! The reinstatement of the Draft is the perfect topic for a dull luncheon, guaranteed to spark debates that will continue into the wee hours without any resolution.

As I scroll through articles all over the Web I find myself wondering what has happened to all the children of the 50's and 60's? That was a time when the word 'Draft' was as common as saying '57 Chevy or as doing the "Twist" and the "Jitterbug"! Where are the 50's and 60's folks that

served in Vietnam with pride? Why are they not writing in support of the draft? Maybe some were wounded, and yes, many lost their lives, but just about all served with pride for our country!

How can we say that the Draft would be a bad thing? It is my personal opinion (which doesn't really amount to much in most circles now-a-days!) that the Draft would rebuild some of our lost values. During the Vietnam Era the Draft was for boys only - and the fact that everyone knew it was an option facing high school graduates seemed to give a sense of direction to many. Those that were drafted accepted their path and served. Others chose to be "CO's" (remember Conscientious Objectors?). There was always the option of deciding which branch of the military to enlist into, and taking that step before being drafted - which was the route many took as a way to pick a career path in the military, obtaining training that helped them through their lives both during and after service.

Not only does it seem that the Draft would bring back the values we as American's cherish and give a direction to high school boys - it could and should be expanded to now include drafting girls..... Yep! - that's what I said, include girls.

Just a few more reasons I feel the Draft would be a good thing. As a child of the 50's, (and a girl), I have watched our youth go from clean cut, dress coded, rock and roll loving kids with hair cuts - to multi-pierced, baggy pant wearing, black eye makeup, Goth supporters. Ok. Not all youth, but a heck of a lot of them! There were never high school shootings during draft years. Although there was always drug use in high school it was more of an experimental thing, not the beginning of a way of life. The Draft loomed ahead making most know that the youthful partying was limited. Most high school boys knew that out of high school they would be serving

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