by J.D. Tuccille
http://www.examiner.com
Nov. 6, 2008
Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, President-Elect Barack Obama’s choice for chief of staff in his incoming administration, is co-author of a book, The Plan: Big Ideas for America, that calls for, among other things, compulsory service for all Americans ages 18 to 25. The following excerpt is from pages 61-62 of the 2006 book:
It’s time for a real Patriot Act that brings out the patriot in all of us. We propose universal civilian service for every young American. Under this plan, All Americans between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five will be asked to serve their country by going through three months of basic training, civil defense preparation and community service. …
Here’s how it would work. Young people will know that between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five, the nation will enlist them for three months of civilian service. They’ll be asked to report for three months of basic civil defense training in their state or community, where they will learn what to do in the event of biochemical, nuclear or conventional attack; how to assist others in an evacuation; how to respond when a levee breaks or we’re hit by a natural disaster. These young people will be available to address their communities’ most pressing needs.
[…]
via Civil Liberties Examiner: Obama’s chief of staff choice favors compulsory universal service
see
The plausibly deniable draft – Obama’s very modern take on national service
Obama: Change You Can Believe In–Not Part 2: Foreign Policy
Political Equivalence by Ralph Nader
Valuable, Voluntary and Educational National Youth Service by William Cox
Obama: Nearly $1 Trillion to spend on “National Security Force” of children + Reinstating the Draft
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Kimchi, yes, that’s the only “good” thing about a draft (more people actively opposed to all of the wars).
Can you imagine the irony of all Obama’s young supporters, who voted for him to end the war, being called up in a draft and set out to Afghanistan and Pakistan?
Maybe this isn’t so bad if it will make these young supporters angry enough to turn against the system which supports Obama.
Anyone who took the time to educate themselves before the election would have known this was the case.
His website, http://www.barackobama.com/, stated this. It was available for all to read.
His new site, http://change.gov/, reiterates the same thing. He also wants seniors to serve their country. The site says, “Obama will encourage retiring Americans to serve by improving programs available for individuals over age 55, while at the same time promoting youth programs such as Youth Build and Head Start.”
Heil Obama!