Even before assuming his powerful position as head of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., is letting everyone know he has the stump and he wants to be heard.
Sunday, during a session on CBS’s “Face The Nation,” Rangel said he will introduce legislation to reinstate the military draft.
"There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq, especially on the flimsy evidence that was presented to the Congress, if indeed we had a draft and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids from their communities would be placed in harm's way," said Rep. Rangel.
Rangel, a veteran of the Korean War, has a very short memory of how the draft worked during the Vietnam era. Two names come to mind – Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. While Bush served in the Air National Guard, neither of these sons of the “privileged” members of society found their way to Vietnam.
Even the Center on Conscience and War fails to see the logic. The center's executive director, J. E. McNeil, said "There are usually two reasons for a draft," McNeil said. “One, people who believe that having a draft will keep us out of war. The reality is that the draft has never kept us out of war.”
Secondly, which goes to the heart of Rangel’s logic, “During Vietnam, not one single member of Congress had a child who was drafted, “McNeil said. “The reality is that the middle class and the upper middle class always have more options than the lower class in the face of the draft.”
Seven of 10 Americans have repeatedly said they oppose the draft. House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi said Monday restoring the military draft will not be part of that agenda when Democrats take over the House in January.
Despite the lack of both the logic for such a measure even from anti-war activists and the lack of support of his own party, Rangel said he would introduce the measure early next year.
Why?
Last year, Rangel told voters that should he become a powerful committee chairman in a Democratic Congress, “I don’t want to be treated any differently than any other world leader.”
Pelosi defended Rangel saying he is “a strong voice for social justice in our country” and his support for the draft was “a way to make a point.”
And it would appear that point is – I’m the head of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and I want everyone to know it.
The day after the Democrats swept both the House and the Senate, Pelosi said “Today the American people voted for change and they voted for Democrats to take their country in a new direction.”
We’re wondering if Rangel got that message.
Opinion
Rangel’s draft call is just breast beating
- Opinion
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Editorial - May 30, 2012: Watch out for children this summer
The issue: Summertime safety.
Our view: Don’t let carelessness turn fun into tragedy.
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Letter to the Editor: May 30, 2012
The song “Sixteen Tons” recalls a long ago time of absolute control over coal miners by mine owners.
Miners were not paid in cash but in non-transferable scripts/vouchers. The miners could never save anything and actually ended up owing the mine owners for the privilege of working in the mines.
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Dog days can threaten dogs
Central Indiana felt the heat this Memorial Day weekend. Afternoon temperatures were in the mid-90s, and heat indices made it feel even warmer.
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Forever thankful
Monday is Memorial Day, a national holiday to remember those who have died while serving our country.
Memorial Day officially
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Cheers and Jeers - Saturday, May 26, 2012
Thanks for your kindness
Terry Siegrist, a paralegal in Salina, Kan., sends this Cheer:
“The family of the late Esther Sprinkle wishes to send our heartfelt thanks to all who gave so generously of their kindness and sympathy in the death of our beloved mother and grandmother. We especially want to thank those who visited us at the funeral home and sent flowers, cards, memorials or food.
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USPS scales back plans
The issue: Postal Service plans to keep smaller post offices open.
Our view: Agency deserves credit for listening to the concerns of customers.
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Sign change is overdue
A colleague of ours years ago said Indiana lawmakers should change the state motto to “We’ll Get Around to It.” His observation is both funny and sad.
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Tips on flag etiquette
Monday is Memorial Day – set aside to honor those Americans who gave their lives in this nation’s wars. Lots of folks fly the flag every day as a show of patriotism, but what many might not know is that there are specific rules outlined in the U.S. Flag Code concerning its display.
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Cheers & Jeers - Saturday, May 19, 2012
Carriers collect 19 tons of food
Brian S. Kidwell of Branch 533 of the letter carriers union sends this Cheer:
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Walk a lap, fight cancer
Before you read any farther, stop for a second and think about what this one word means to you: cancer.
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Editorial - May 30, 2012: Watch out for children this summer
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