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hightrixyesterday at 10:37 PM1 replyview on HN

The draft was wildly unpopular during that short period of time when it was active.

Americans, prior to trump, espoused the concept of freedom. That includes the freedom to not serve in the military.


Replies

syntaxingyesterday at 10:46 PM

I think I get what you’re trying to say but realistically, it doesn’t add up. The draft was 33 years. The US is only 250 years old (give or take) so over 10% of our history had conscription. The Vietnam and Korean War was widely unpopular because it was the first broadcasted war. People watch their family get blown up on TV. It had nothing to do with “freedom to serve military”.

If you argue a draft is counterproductive because it a waste of resources and we have better means to serve young adults, I could buy it. But arguing a draft is not the American way because it’s “our freedom to decide what we want” is a bit silly.

I do absolutely agree that I wouldn’t trust the current administration or culture to faithfully execute on this idea though.