Celsus

Why can't someone be both against the draft (for anyone) and for military equality?

Mochaloca

*****
I actually argued this point in an ethics course I took in college (mid 80's). I nearly had my head handed to me on a platter.

I agree that unless we assume equal duties, our request for equal rights will not be given much credibility.

The feminist leadership's position at the time was that they were against seletive service for men and women equally.

ab

(edited for proper quotation format)

Derec

Selective Service is not equal to draft and as long as SS is here, yes, women should be required to sign up. How requiring only men to register is not a violation of gener equality is something noone could explain to me yet.

And I support Optional's point fully as well. As long as a person meets the requirements for the job they should be able to do it - regardless of whether they are male or female.

UMoC

Celsus

Ok, well I'm from Singapore, can someone explain to me the difference between Selective Service and the draft? Rufus seemed to indicate they were the same. FWIW, in Singapore, we have National Service (NS) which requires all males to do 2 to 2 1/2 years in the military, and I've done my time.

That said, I don't see why it's unreasonable or inconsistent to be both against NS (in my case, but also against SS or the draft) for either sex, and for equality for those women who wish to participate. The duties/rights conflation begs the question on whether a duty is "just" or "fair" in the first place, and hence, should be treated separately.

Joel

RufusAtticus

Sorry Celsus,

Selective Service is the prelude to the Draft. In other words, when a military draft is instituted they call up people based on their selective service registration. SS is simply registering yourself with the department of defense so they know where to look if a draft is needed.

Does that help?

If not, this might?

RufusAtticus

That's fine, but as long as people are arguing for military equality, selective service equality should be part of that too as long as it still exists.

lpetrich

I think that if anyone is to be drafted, it's jingoistic nationalists.

Feather

But then some people might actually have to take the same risks as other people for similar rewards and that just isn't fair.

lunachick

Agreed.


Aren't women in the Israeli army trained and treated as combat equals?

I could be wrong, but they always looked pretty menacing carrying around those uzis.

Jacey

I absolutely feel that women should be required to sign up for selective service.

Although with this war, I'd have a lot of advice for friends who want to get out of it. I should write a how-to manual in case the draft ever comes back.