I want to be a Brownshirt :)

This needs to be greenlit if for no other reason than to get the word out that we should all be panicing. NOW.

This should be good. *Grabs a beer and popcorn*

we should all be panicing. NOW.

you pegged the sarcasm meter.

the eternal rangel bill, reintroduced for a new session of congress. untwist panties

(1) as a member of an active or reserve component of the uniformed services; or

(2) in a civilian capacity that, as determined by the President, promotes the national defense, including national or community service and service related to homeland security.

"as determined by the President" = See (1)

103.D.1 appears to turn it into a full-on draft.

Yep, it's Rangel. We've seen this before, and we'll see it again.

We should add an amendment to the bill requiring anyone who deferred service for Vietnam, regardless of current age or occupation, to serve at least 6 months for each deferment. *looking at you, Cheney* .. that's, what, 36 months? We should still be there by then.. hey.. he will probably even get a free ride over to Iran.

This is not even remotely news, folks. However, any thread where my login is relevant to the title is a good thread.

submitter: require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform national service

I fark fat chicks, post on Fark, and buy American beers (sometimes). What the fark else can I do?

when bill clinton determined that someone between the ages of 18 and 42 had to perform services on him, he was impeached.

Um... how many times has this been introduced into congress?

18 to 42??

Like any of us Lipitor-popping, tech industry, fast food munching over 35ers could ever hope to make it through 13 weeks of basic.

/"I wanna fly a desk, sir!"

Yeah, I already did my time in hell and you know what they gave me? I came back and they gave me a damn merit badge.

That merit badge. That $1.50 merit badge was shiat. It was nothing but I kept going back and they kept on giving me more merit badges. Finally, I had done so much community service they gave me an Eagle Scout badge and then kicked me out. Said I was "expendable" and they went to throw some more young kids into the grinder.

farking bastards. They forgot me. They used me, gave me some shiney trinkets and then they left me.

I'd support any bill seeking to make this a reality.

compulsory volunteerism? they can work at the jumbo shrimp and plastic glass factory

It's just to get more henchmen for The Monarch.

Yes. God forbid we give people the option to decide whether or not they'd like to offer their service to the nation.

We won't force people to vote but we'll force you to volunteer.

As someone pointed out, being just under 42, I would not survive the bus ride to Basic, let alone the training.

Do I have my politicos right? This is the guy who sounds like Dr. Girlfriend, isn't it?

...require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform national service.

Can you choose which nation? Does that include foreigners?

/getting awfully chilly in here. Can you feel a draft?

I am just amazed that Rangel keps his job. It seems to be taht people from the Bronx wouldn't much care for mandatory national service, military or otherwise.

albo
compulsory volunteerism?

Seems like a fair trade for all the opportunities that the country has given me in my life... I would be willing to give a year or two back if asked. I'm not selfish.

SherKahn, that would be freakin' SWEET!

SherKhan: It's just to get more henchmen for The Monarch

Henchman sounds like a good title. Where do I sign up? :D

I guess I'm going to have to work hard at failing the drug test.

Sorry, the state can take my money but they can't force me into physical servitude. Suck it.

I see nothing wrong with a system of choice between the military or community service or emergency aid or the like (if one is able), but this is Chuck Rangel. Chuckie's a crazy motherf*cker. The rest of the legislature just kinda tones him out when he speaks.

Narrow the age to between 18 and 22 (instead of 42) and I'll be all for it.

Teach those little whipper snappers a lesson. Off the lawn, Junior!

Code_Archeologist: Seems like a fair trade for all the opportunities that the country has given me in my life... I would be willing to give a year or two back if asked. I'm not selfish.


Being a Native American, I would have to see the government follow through on all those contracts and treaties they signed with my people before feeling like I owed them any service. Even then, I would feel like we just broke even. I suppose I might be willing to design some propaganda flyers to drop on Iran, or I might be willing to record an Army ad for the radio or something.

But first they have to follow through with either the land, the money, or both.

I'd hate for more people to become aware of civic duty. This is a bad idea.

This is the guy who sounds like Dr. Girlfriend, isn't it?

ah, now i see what you did there. bravo, very subtle

Speaking as a hardcore liberal going back more generations than you care to know, who voted both Kerry and Edwards into their first terms of office, and did door-to-door campaigning for Dean, CHarles Rangel is a total mouth-breathing dumbfark who insults everything I stand for.

If Congress can effectively neuter DC for reelecting Marion Barry, I don't understand why the same thing can't happen to the Bronx.

I would be willing to give a year or two back if asked. I'm not selfish.

well...you should. try it. it's fun

It won't go anywhere. Rangel said he'd do this, remember? Shut up and stop whining, you pussies.

PegoTheJerk
Being a Native American, I would have to see the government follow through on all those contracts and treaties they signed with my people before feeling like I owed them any service.

Won't happen... the amount of money owed through mineral royalties, land use, and contractual obligations is about 2% of the GDP in the last report I heard. Sorry, but that money is never going to be paid.

CtrlAltDelete: I see nothing wrong with a system of choice between the military or community service or emergency aid or the like (if one is able)

I do. I see nothing wrong if you are able to peacefully and rightfully declare your unwillingness to support or work in a war machine. But that wouldn't be the case with a system like you state you would support. There would be no place for Buddists, pacifists, or anyone who either religiously or philosophically does not belief in participating in violence.

That's not freedom.. that's a step back to serfdom.

Cyberluddite: I think this is an excellent idea, and fully support it, as all patriotic true Americans should.

I hope (hope) you were kidding.. but it should not go without saying that a TRUE patriot is one who dumps tea in a river, not one who kills people for doing it.

Code_Archeologist: Won't happen... the amount of money owed through mineral royalties, land use, and contractual obligations is about 2% of the GDP in the last report I heard. Sorry, but that money is never going to be paid.

..and so they have guaranteed themselves further generations of voices outspoken against, and distrustful of their ability to maintain a trustworthy and working governing body. Especially during war time.

up to 42? cmon, 40 year olds can barely get up from the couch to get snacks.

this looks to be the safest option:

"commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and commissioned corps of the Public Health Service"

I'm gonna go take measurements of a barometer for Uncle Sam! Just doing my part.

PegoTheJerk: There would be no place for Buddists, pacifists, or anyone who either religiously or philosophically does not belief in participating in violence.

Well, we could have shifts at soup kitchens, for instance. Or clean up parks, or assist in hospitals. Not community service in the form of a punitive measure, but rather the enthusiastic sort of community service in which one uses there talents to help others.

It's true there isn't a comparison between military service and community service or emergency aid workers; they are very different animals; but one isn't required to support a system of violence- they can support something they are more comfortable with from which everyone can benefit.

The "mandatory" nature is a concern, though. Why not extablish such a system in which participation grants someone free tution to a state school, for instance? Kerry had some hyperbolic never-gonna-happen plan like that.