06-24-2024, 01:14 PM
This post was last modified 06-24-2024, 01:18 PM by FlyingClayDisk.
So, this has been around for a while in concept. It basically boils down to this, if you have a Social Security Number, and you are between the age of 18 and 26, you will automatically be registered for the draft. Prior to this, as the quoted article states, it was the responsibility of the individual to go down to the Post Office and fill out a Selective Service Registration card. Nothing has really changed, it's just now it happens automatically. Before, when the individual did it themselves they could (I guess) decide they weren't going to fill out the form and then (I don't know), renounce their citizenship / leave the country (??) It was still a violation of federal law if you didn't do it. So, really, the only difference now is, people just don't have the option of violating federal law anymore because the registration is automatic.
Bottom line, not a big difference from the way it was before...unless you intended not to do it which, if convicted, is a $250,000 fine and (5) years in a federal penitentiary (Do not pass "Go", and proceed directly to Jail). But the only way they'd ever catch anyone is if there was a Draft. So it was kind of like a gamble for some people.
This really doesn't change any war posture, and it's not a result of any war posture. It's just a way to limit legal gymnastics. Now, if there's a Draft, and you don't show up, all the paperwork is just automatic, but it's not any more or less illegal than it ever was...just a different process.
**Shrug** I went down to the Post Office on the day of my 18th birthday, and I was proud to do it...40+ years ago.
Bottom line, not a big difference from the way it was before...unless you intended not to do it which, if convicted, is a $250,000 fine and (5) years in a federal penitentiary (Do not pass "Go", and proceed directly to Jail). But the only way they'd ever catch anyone is if there was a Draft. So it was kind of like a gamble for some people.
This really doesn't change any war posture, and it's not a result of any war posture. It's just a way to limit legal gymnastics. Now, if there's a Draft, and you don't show up, all the paperwork is just automatic, but it's not any more or less illegal than it ever was...just a different process.
**Shrug** I went down to the Post Office on the day of my 18th birthday, and I was proud to do it...40+ years ago.
