definition . . .

Invasion of South Korea would be one of several....

__________________
1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

N. Korea would have a difficult time selling that scenario to their neighbors to the North like they did in the 50's. Beijing doesn't see the West in the same way as it did 55 years ago.

Without the backing of China, what chances would you give North Korea?

To sum up the entire North Korean war scenario. In the long run they would lose any conflict but the loss of life would be the worst that the world has seen in over 50 years....for both sides.

__________________
1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

So then the risk and reward scenario does not support acting up to the level of border invasion.

Not at all. But people (World leaders in particular) aren't always known to make rational decisions so the possibility is there. Hopefully diplomacy will sort any problems out.

__________________
1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

I'm glad Dick Cheney is not in charge anymore.

__________________
2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

That would suggest that policy be inclusive of irrational action, as well as the rational, which seemingly makes policy making impossible.

I'm not saying I don't understand you, and I'm not saying I do. But I don't.

__________________
1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

I agree that EVERYONE who is not physically or mentally disabled to the point of being unable to care for him/her self should be liable for some kind of national service, with wide guidelines being applied.
I also believe that anyone in undergraduate full-time studies could defer this until after they complete 4 (max 6) years.

This could solve issues like lack of teachers in rural or inner city schools/teaching internships for licenses.

People with no skills/background could use the time to learn a trade such as electrician, carpenter etc with the time spent counting toward a NATIONAL basic certification for skilled trades like every other country has. Skills permiot jobs, jobs that are not make work or sinecures lift people out of poverty because in addition to a wage, they have pride of ownership and accomplishment.

VA hospitals would have plenty of assistance.and assistants.

Wanna learn to drive an 18 wheeler correctly? Be certified through the military. Ditto with construction equipment operation and repair.

If it turns out people who were very qualified for specialty work, like MP, MI or FAO, accepted those jobs, they would probably have to extend. The specialty training for a 98G (one of my former occupations) is currently 75 weeks, so if you agreed to do that, the two years time would start after that.

Anyone who went through OCS/ROTC would be serving a little longer, but being an officer is a privilege, not an entitlement.

People who say this is a boondoggle are wrong. It would teach many people that there's dignity in work, it would also expose some people to other groups strata of society they never met. It would give a permissive culture a sense of work ethic beyond what they do.

It would get enough lard off the national a$$ to generate an awful lot of biodiesel!

As far as pay, yes, a decent wage, but bear in mind also that it's like an entry-level job. but BETTER. Look at the college students working free internships at corporations hoping to get hired.

Imagine working in the D or E ring of the Pentagon and putting that on your resume.

What this really demands is the three things that many corporations and bureaucracies lack: imagination, good planning and courage.

well, I've said enough to probably fan the fires now. Flame on!

__________________
Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

Correct. And building on that, an established system like this could then make it harder for someone to do these irrational things.

Imagine the entire US population between 18-25 politically conscious! Right or wrong, some politicians wouildn't risk screwing everyone to their advantage, the chances for loss at the next election would be too great.

By the way, I was drafted out of my PhD prorgram at Georgetown in 1972, after Nixon cancelled all the grad school deferments. As life-changing as it was, in retrospect, it was worth every minute of it. Afterwards, I did one year at Georgetown ,couldn't afford to stay, so I went back to Michigan to finish grad school. So I was directly impacted by the draft.

My draft lottery number is 9

And I'm still here.

__________________
Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

I have to disagree with you there, I think the standards should be tightened as you know an outstanding Soldier easily out performs 10-15 average soldiers and sometimes much more, imagine some of the people here in MBshop serving at your side with a loaded weapon...f-that. I know that they would be in different units and likely working the chow line but I prefer the civilian contractor to fill those positions.

What's worse, Ann Arbor in 1972 or Vietnam?

Quote:

Originally Posted by strelnik I agree that EVERYONE who is not physically or mentally disabled to the point of being unable to care for him/her self should be liable for some kind of national service, with wide guidelines being applied. I also believe that anyone in undergraduate full-time studies could defer this until after they complete 4 (max 6) years. This could solve issues like lack of teachers in rural or inner city schools/teaching internships for licenses. People with no skills/background could use the time to learn a trade such as electrician, carpenter etc with the time spent counting toward a NATIONAL basic certification for skilled trades like every other country has. Skills permiot jobs, jobs that are not make work or sinecures lift people out of poverty because in addition to a wage, they have pride of ownership and accomplishment. VA hospitals would have plenty of assistance.and assistants. Wanna learn to drive an 18 wheeler correctly? Be certified through the military. Ditto with construction equipment operation and repair. If it turns out people who were very qualified for specialty work, like MP, MI or FAO, accepted those jobs, they would probably have to extend. The specialty training for a 98G (one of my former occupations) is currently 75 weeks, so if you agreed to do that, the two years time would start after that. Anyone who went through OCS/ROTC would be serving a little longer, but being an officer is a privilege, not an entitlement. People who say this is a boondoggle are wrong. It would teach many people that there's dignity in work, it would also expose some people to other groups strata of society they never met. It would give a permissive culture a sense of work ethic beyond what they do. It would get enough lard off the national a$$ to generate an awful lot of biodiesel! As far as pay, yes, a decent wage, but bear in mind also that it's like an entry-level job. but BETTER. Look at the college students working free internships at corporations hoping to get hired. Imagine working in the D or E ring of the Pentagon and putting that on your resume. What this really demands is the three things that many corporations and bureaucracies lack: imagination, good planning and courage. well, I've said enough to probably fan the fires now. Flame on!

Not a bad idea, kind of sounds like Obama's concept of national service. Obviously a few issues to iron out, but creating a system like this would be beneficial on many levels. Could help provide some humanity for the upper crusters, and break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness for the inner city dwellers. Sort of a CCC for modern times.

I have to agree with Howie, I really think the military should rely on volunteers. It should be an option for your service time, but not mandatory. The best soldiers are the one who want to be soldiers. Bumping the pay scale for armed service might attract more of the qualified and motivated personnel that our sophisticated military requires. Enabling them to be more selective in who is admitted.

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

We might have to start drafting. There's an article in the paper today about an 18 year decorated Lt Col. who is being discharged because he's gay. 9 medals for service in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo.

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1984 300TD