The draft bill, introduced by Democrat Charlie Rangle and trumpeted across the world in
emails saying that the Republicans and President Bush wanted to reinstate the draft if he's re-elected, was rejected today.
The final vote was 402 Nays and 2 Yeas (to see who the asshats who voted yes to reinstate the draft see this results page. Hint: They're both Democrats).
So why, I ask did Charlie Rangle not vote for his own bill that he introduced into the house? Maybe because he was full of crap?
San Francisco Chronicle
Persistent election-year rumors that President Bush has a secret plan to reinstate the draft if he is re-elected led Republican House leaders Tuesday to force a vote that overwhelmingly rejected a bill to reinstate conscription.
...
The Republicans say Democratic candidates, party organizations and such youth-oriented independent groups as Rock the Vote are spreading the rumor that a draft is imminent.
"This campaign is a baseless, malevolent concoction of the Democrat Party, '' House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas said during a pointed, sometimes angry partisan debate. "It has one purpose and one purpose only ... to spread fear ... and undermine our commander in chief in an election year. Well, Mr. Speaker, it's a lie.''
So what do the democrats have to say about all of this?
Liberal Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Charles Rangel of New York and Rep. Pete Stark of Fremont, had introduced the bill in January 2003 as a protest against the Bush administration's increasing moves toward war in Iraq.
Rep. Jack Murtha, D-Pa., the ranking Democrat on the House military appropriations subcommittee, said he supports a draft as a matter of fairness and because the Bush administration has stretched the regular military and the National Guard and Reserves to the breaking point. "We are in a war," he said, "and not only a small segment of our population should fight our wars.
"Everyone, rich and poor, should serve in the military of the United States,'' added Murtha, a Marine veteran -- and, with Stark, the only lawmakers to vote in favor of the bill.
...
"As many times as the administration says they are against a draft, all one hears on the Internet and around the country is that we're going to have a draft,'' [Charlie Rangle] said.
Stark, explaining his vote in favor, said, "I don't put in bills capriciously. I believe the bill was the right thing to do when we proposed it, and I still do.''
Yeah Charlie, the Internet is the cause of why the draft was brought up. Thanks for wasting our money on this stupid shit, asshole!
Hat Tip: California Yankee who has a lot more to say on this. (Really, he does. Come on click the linky link.)
The Commisar fisks it hard over at The Politburo Diktat baby!
Chadster at Ubique Patriam Reminisci has an annoyed, yet humorous take. poor kitties :(
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