The draft IS democratic, Bob

           Good morning, Bob. I agree that the draft simply cannot

    be UNTHINKABLE in any country that calls itself democratic.

           After all the COUNTRY was attacked by ruthless fanatics on

    Sept. 11. Last night I watched a  documentary: " The Greeks ".

         One scholar made the point that democratic Athens had no

    problem assembling an  ENTHUSIASTIC army to rout the Persians

    at Marathon. When people feel the state to be THEIR state -whatever its

    flaws - they don't even wait to be  drafted - the young and the

    vigorous - when  THEIR state is threatened.

             But think of all those spoiled brat rich kids in Kuwait.

    Iraq is THEIR menacing neighbor.  Iraq invaded Kuwait more than a

    decade ago. Will the ruling class of Kuwait contribute only money

    for its own defense, laughing at poor working class American kids

    - the cannon fodder for another bloody war ?


               Imagine a working class American soldier coming home

    with combat fatigue - finding his family literally left in the cold

    for not paying the oil bill on time !

              Working class soldiers might quickly conclude that the

    only war that makes sense is  CLASS WAR - and that can be fought

    by peaceful means, by something called POLITICS.


              But try preaching WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE to the storm

    troopers of Allah !

              I'm ready for an early draught of beer.