In the past few days I have had interesting conversations with two very conservative friends as well as friends from the Mideast and South Asia. These may not represent anything as the sample size is non-existent, but two of the conversations represented a change of heart and perhaps philosophy.
One was interested in what you do to make sure your kids can qualify for CO status if there is a draft. It seems the casualty news from Iraq is troubling him as he has a 16 year old daughter and twin 14 year old sons. Rumsfeld, Cheney and Bush are talking about conflict for the foreseeable future and he was wondering if the Army will be able to recruit and the National Guard re-enlist. It turns out his family happens to be Southern Baptist and the church actively supports war lead by the US. He winced a bit when I told him his kids would have to leave their religion and start taking up pro-peace causes. Being in the "wrong" religion didn't work for those seeking CO status during Vietnam and the loopholes have been tightened.
A more interesting part of the conversation was his complaining about Cheney, Rumsfeld, etc - I pushed a bit and he said Bush is too stupid and easily manipulated. This is from a guy who gave proudly gave $2500 to the 2000 Bush/Cheney campaign. He is really worried about his kids.
The other friend is just worried about getting out of Iraq "with honor" in the next few months. He was very gung ho for war (and the idea of continuous war), but now he sounds like a politician in the Vietnam era - and a politician from the historically clueless side at that.
I think it makes sense to take reserve units from the states that gave the highest margins to Bush in 2000 as I'm sure they want to show their support.
When the draft comes it makes sense to have a show of support vote -- as members of the house to support or not support the war and only draft from counties that support the effort.
All Young Republicans in college should drop out and join the Army as a show of support.
What could be fairer?
Posted by: sara | November 14, 2003 at 13:14