As Abu Ghraib fades in the news somewhat, the presidential contest heats up. But other topics worthy of comment abound. . . .
The Pentagon apparently has no plans to request a return to the military draft; the White House apparently doesn't either. How odd. The nation is at war. Recruitment is struggling. The Army is (1) extending service commitments, (2) recalling to active duty 5,600 recently departed service veterans to help address personnel needs in Afghanistan and Iraq, and (3) swearing in enlistees scheduled for 2005 induction early so as to meet 2004 recruitment goals. The Senate has approved increasing the Army's strength by 20,000. The Navy and Air Force, although cutting overall complements, often cannot fill designated billets.
If not a draft, then how about a program of compulsory universal service for all men and women 18-23 - no exceptions but the severely handicapped, one year, with a front-end military component of several months followed by non-military civilian service? Not only would it help meet military shortages; it also would broaden understanding of the military in society at large. And it would build a sense of give-back service in this culture of the young.
The Forest Service has proposed a rule to limit the use of all-terrain recreational vehicles (ATVs) that destroy solitude and gouge the landscape. National forest use of ATVs has soared sevenfold in the past 30 years. Yes, it would be elitist to forbid ATVs in forests, just as it would be to forbid snowmobiles in Yellowstone and other national parks; the forests belong not only to karma-seeking greens. But it is neither elitist nor unfair to restrict the ATVs to certain areas and certain trails, even to certain forests. And it is past time to do so.
With its sidestepping of the "under God" Pledge of Allegiance case (would an invalidation of the phrase have served to re-elect President Bush?), and with its refusal to overturn an appellate ruling against Virginia Military Institute's dinner prayer, the Supreme Court hastened its own rush into incoherence.
A review of the 50 state constitutions finds 41 favorably citing "God." Eight of the remaining nine cite the "supreme ruler of the universe" (Colorado and Missouri), the "sovereign ruler of the universe" (Maine), the "great legislator of the universe" (Massachusetts), the "creator" (Delaware and Virginia), the "supreme being" (Iowa), and the "author of existence" (Vermont). Hawaii, finally, stipulates its gratitude "for divine guidance." It's enough to cause one to conclude the authors and ratifiers of the 50 state constitutions knew something too many today, including the Supremes, prefer to forget.