Until WWII, conscientious objectors were harassed, imprisoned, vilified... If this bill were to pass, it would be a giant step backward.

I read the bill and kept expecting to find the rationale, i.e. military service for all those young men is essential because...? I agree with those above who rather like the idea that each young adult should serve their community in some fashion for some period of time. But why in the world it should be military escapes me.

I remember when in the '50s, some Amish men were actually arrested and spent some time in jail because of their refusal to send their children on to higher education. (The fact that I disagree with their position is not relevant here) After long litigious debate, with the ACLU involved, the government finally agreed that they had the right on religious grounds to govern their own communities.

On the same basis, they were granted the right not to contribute to the Social Security System, because they do not utilize its benefits. (Of course, they do pay other taxes)

If (and I don't believe it will happen in the foreseeable future) this bill were to be implemented, can you imagine the uproar in Congress from all the pacifist groups? I doubt very much that the government would have the stomach for the struggle.

I don't know the ages of the bill sponsors- but my guess is that they are young enough not to remember what happened.

Ebbie