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![]() Uncle Sam (the government fed war machine), wants you (your soul)! If you haven't guessed, this column is an opportunity for me to vent. You've probably also realized that the target of my ranting is the united states military draft. I recently turned eighteen. Soon after that, a friend brought to my attention the fact that I would have to register for the draft. For those of you that know me, you also know that I don't really care much for war or even the government for that matter. Then I proceeded to research the topic. Much to my dismay I discovered that my friend was right. Here's the deal: 1) Every male citizen of the united states must register for the armed forces draft at the age of eighteen. 2) Refusal will result in prosecution and imprisonment. 3) Period. Does this make anyone else ill? I immediately began devising ways to dodge. I asked how "they" know who hasn't registered. I was assured that they have their ways. My next question was "If they have a list of all the eighteen year old male children (allowing them to cross reference), then why wasn't registration automatic?" I think I've come up with an answer. Some people actually think that they're doing this voluntarily, as if they're acting of their own free will. Isn't that what this is all about? It's like turning yourself in and being arrested or not turning yourself in and being arrested. I compare this illusion of freedom to voting. Some people think that voting grants them some special privileges and freedoms, or any freedom at all. It doesn't. Voting allows you an "extremely" small voice in the decision of who's going to bend you over a chair for the next four years. I personally couldn't care less who is elected president. Do you really think that anything is going to change? Maybe taxes will be raised a little. Maybe a few soldiers can die for a "really good cause" in some place that I've never heard of. Maybe we can have some more freedoms taken away for our own good. Other than those, I can't think of any real changes that have taken place in my life time. Americans are satisfied with dormancy and politicians are satisfied with wealth. It could be worse. I suppose that that's going to have to do because it's not getting better. I digress. I guess the military wouldn't be too bad... I probably wouldn't have to kill too many people... I'd probably only have to compromise my morals a few times... Well, at least I'm given the opportunity to chose... Rationalizing for the sake of convenience and in spite of your beliefs is evil and legality should never be confused with righteousness. Those are words to live by. In case you're wondering, I would dodge the draft without even thinking twice about it. I don't give a damn about this country and I refuse to kill over anything as trivial as land. Yes, the military does kill. That is their sole purpose and I personally, want nothing to do with it. You may argue that the military protects, but their only power lies in the threat of force. Does it tell you anything, that the government has to threaten its own citizens just to join its military? Any battle in which you've stooped to using force in has already been lost. Back to Communist CornerNew | Main | Music | Columns | D.I.Y. | Art | Zines | Contribute |