Factcheck.org on Military draft rumors

[Comadreja]

Draft Fears Fueled by Inaccurate E-mails
A scare story spreads electronically, but it gets facts wrong.

June 15, 2004
Modified: September 29, 2004
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Summary



Several FactCheck subscribers have asked about an e-mailed rumor that is causing a lot of anxiety. It claims that steps are being taken to resume military conscription next year. But the message abounds with misinformation and half-truths. And some experts say conscription is the last thing the military wants or needs, despite being stretched thin in Iraq.


Analysis



We can't say whether this one is deliberate misinformation or just sloppy reporting, but it sure is generating a lot of needless anxiety. It amounts to another "lying e-mail" of the kind we've warned about before (check the links to "related articles" at the end of this one.)

Draft? Wrong!

(Excerpts from misleading e-mail)

The possibility of mandatory drafting for boys and girls (age 18-26) starting June 15, 2005, is something, I believe, everyone should know .
This literally affects EVERYONE since we all have or know children that will have to go if this bill passes. If there are children in your family, READ this.
There is pending legislation in the House and Senate (twin bills: S 89 and HR 163) which will time the program's initiation so the draft can begin at early as Spring 2005 -- just after the 2004 presidential election. The administration is quietly trying to get these bills passed now, while the public's attention is on the elections, so our action on this is needed immediately.
. . . Please send this on to all the parents and teachers you know, and all the aunts and uncles, grandparents, godparents . . . . And let your children know -- it's their future, and they can be a powerful voice for change!

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

[displacedtexan]

1. HR3598

http://tinyurl.com/5c4lz

[H2O Man]

2. However ....

this ignores the "Issue Paper" regarding the draft which was posted on DU by Dems Will Win. It has nothing to do with the bills in congress. It is an actual paper, secured through a FOI request, which has a detailed plan for a draft, being advocated by officials serving in this administration.

I should also mention that a newspaper in my area (The Daily Star; Oneonta, NY) had a front page story on Tuesday, January 13, 2004, regarding the filling of draft board positions for our area.

So, let's think: we have an actual "Issue Paper." DWW sent me a copy before he posted it on DU. And we have a fully operational draft board. But the administration says not to worry, because the Rangel bill isn't going anywhere. I'd say the is not "What to do when your friends e-mail lies to you," -- rather, it's "What to do when the administration's lies threaten the lives of America's youth?"

[oldlady]

3. Howard Dean this morning

on some talk show or other said he had called two Selective Service state coordinators (two different states) and that the instructions for 20 year olds and medical workers first was given.

[Moderator]

4. Axel please read

as per Democratic Underground copyright rules :

Please do not paste whole copyrighted articles from other sources. We ask you to limit your quotes to 4 paragraphs and a link to the source. Thank you.

[Pepperbelly]

5. is Factcheck.org that Annenberg thing?

If so ... I would take what they say with a grain of salt.

[AntiFascist]

6. All it takes is one more major attack on the homeland...

which Cheney seems to keep promising will happen sooner or later, and then we'll have a draft.