JPR1@ns.cc.lehigh.EDU ("James P. Reynolds") (06/14/91)
Couldn't help but throw in my 2 cents worth about the draft discussion. Basically, my reasoning goes like this: My attitude starts from my suspicion that most wars are basically fought over economic concerns. The Civil War, for example, was an economic power struggle between the two elites of the time: the southern producers of raw materials (plantation owners) and the up-and-coming owners of northern industrial capital (like Mass. mill owners). Saddam Hussein decided to use some of the enourmous sums of money being handed to him by 1st world oil importers to expand his influence on the supply of oil. Bush and most of the other 1st world sure didnt like that. Our economies depend on oil so much ... the recessions of the 1970s, for example, were caused by Arab oil shocks. So we went to war over the economy (In my opinion ... take it for what its worth). But who uses oil? Who is guilty of wasteful practices? Wars are not caused by "violent attitudes" or a male yearning to "go out and kick some ass" ... they are caused by GREED. Sometimes it appears that men are more greedy than women. But is this just an illusion? Is'nt it just that the burden of running military, financial, and government institutions traditionally falls on men? Positions of power in society are traditionally given to men only. But with great power ... comes great responsibility. Even to die for the sake of the greed of others. High-tech combat lets puts of high-risk combat jobs well within the capabilities of women. Greed knows no boundaries of gender. Neither should war. I recommend that women be required to sign up for the draft. Bye, --Jim Reynolds at Lehigh University