We must treat real threats realistically.
But what to do with bizarrely hypothetical ones?
Last week, former Congressman Joe Heck (R‑Nev.), chairman of the National Commission on Military, National and Public Service, addressed witnesses at a hearing in Washington: “So I want to pose a hypothetical scenario and ask your response.”
“We are in the Red Dawn scenario being attacked from both Canada and Mexico,” he related. “There is no Selective Service System. The All Volunteer Force is insufficient. There’s been a presidential and congressional call for volunteers, for people to step up. However, the response has not been enough to meet the threat, the actual threat to our homeland.”
“How would you propose to meet the demand?” inquired the chairman.
Seriously? We must prepare for military conscription because of the likelihood that Canada and Mexico will launch a joint invasion?
Leaving one ridiculous supposition, during the public comment period, I confronted the other: hypothetical American cowardice.
“This is really all about trust,” I told the commission.
“Do you trust the American people to step up in times of crisis — from Pearl Harbor to 9/11 — or do you not? I submit that all evidence points to the fact that they will, because they have.
“Or should we trust Congress with the awesome power to take our sons and daughters away because they choose to, because there’s a ‘big emergency’ or maybe just because we figure it will help with ‘social cohesion’? I submit that all evidence points to the fact that we cannot trust Congress.”
I urged commissioners “to tell Congress: trust the American people — end draft registration, don’t extend it to women, and do not force any sort of national service.”
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
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