Talk of a Draft Opens Question: Who Serves?

Re “Resist the Lure of a Draft,” editorial, April 25: The Times has urged a recommendation that is neither logical nor practical. Since the demand for more troops is obvious -- not only for the present but also for the long run -- it follows that a citizen army is mandatory if we are to confront the realities of the era of terrorism.

There is a price to pay for living free -- and the price must be paid by all able-bodied Americans, not only volunteers. Even if the draft Army assumed the work of the military domestically, it would go a long way in freeing regular Army troops for combat duty. Moreover, this trained militia could also serve in other capacities stateside.

We must remember that the terrorists attacked us, and if we don’t want to fight the war on the streets of America, we must be prepared to fight overseas. The only way we can avoid a draft and serve the nation’s best interests is to encourage the rest of the free world to join us in the fight. Alas, that possibility does not look promising.

N. Richard Lewis

Los Angeles

What is the purpose of our presence in Iraq? We have done everything we needed to; we searched for weapons inside and out and have found nothing. We have captured Iraq’s leader. It is the duty of the Iraqi people to govern themselves and bring their country to stability. Why should we put more of our soldiers on the line? Why should we use our tax money to bring order to a nation that has been ungrateful?

We should not go as far as a draft. We should gradually lessen the number of soldiers we have there and let our soldiers come back to their families.

Luiza Patrikyan

Granada Hills

The Times says that a draft is “not the answer” to an American military stretched too thin in Iraq and elsewhere. You also say that some form of national service would better engage Americans instead. But you miss the point. There is no chance that a military draft will be reinstituted in this country for one simple reason: If the sons and daughters of the middle class start coming home in body bags, there will be no support for the war in Iraq. It’s as simple as that, and the Bush administration knows it. That’s what happened during Vietnam, and it would happen now.

Jim Calio

Marina del Rey

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) wants to reinstitute the military draft to ensure “equal” class representation in our war on terrorism. Upon learning of the sacrifice of former NFL player Pat Tillman, who joined the Army Rangers and was killed in Afghanistan (April 24), I’m wondering if Rangel still wishes to continue his politically motivated “class warfare” with the thousands of brave and courageous servicemen and women just like Pat.

I hope the loss of Pat’s life will at least gain Rangel insight into the American soul that transcends class, race and religion.

Stephen Wagner

Valencia

It was once considered noblesse oblige for the sons of privilege to go to war. Perhaps if a draft is to be implemented, service should be mandatory for the eligible children of lawmakers.

Daniel Kim

Las Cruces, N.M.