Military Draft

From Air Force Times 27Mar06: Rep. Charles B. Rangel, D-N. Y. has again called for a return to a military draft. His twist this time is to raise the age limit to 42.

My comments: I'm surprised he hasn't also proposed including women. This proposal is a shameless political ploy and he should be ashamed, but like his predecessor, Adam Clayton Powell, he has no shame and does as he chooses. Powell was accused in 1966 of disgracing his office and denied his seat by the House. Even though the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated him in 1969, he lost a re-election bid in 1970.

The Truth: Reports of his behavior caused me to ask my father in 1967 how he could still be a congressman. He replied with, "that is what the people who elected him want, and it reflects their own behavior". That was my first introduction into poor and even disrespectful behavior. Here in South Carolina, we had our own brief case of impropriety with a Representative from our 6th CD, D-John Jenrette from 1974 t0 1978. He was convicted for accepting a $50,000 bribe in the Abscam sting operation conducted by the FBI in 1980. Jenrette was sentenced to two years in prison, of which he served 13 months. In 1989 he was convicted of shoplifting a necktie from a department store at Bailey's Crossroads and was sentenced to 30 days. That reflected the behavior of those who elected him? I think not. Had it not been for extreme gerrymandering and meddling by the US courts, a more responsible person would probably be representing the good people of South Carolina there now. The next election is about 7 months away. I hope that the electorate focuses on facts and not pandering.