If you are a man between ages 18 and 26, you need to register for Selective Service. According to the Annual Report of the Director of Selective Service to Congress: "During FY 2008, 138, 956 names and addresses of suspected violators were provided to DoJ" -- every one of them male, because women are exempt from registering. Why were the names turned over to DoJ? "[F]or possible prosecution and investigation for his failure to register" with Selective Service.
What might happen to men who don't register? "Registration is the law. A man who fails to register may, if prosecuted and convicted, face a fine of up to $250,000 and/or a prison term of up to five years."
Even if they don't go to jail or receive a crippling fine, men who fail to register will be punished: "Men, born after December 31, 1959, who aren't registered with Selective Service won't qualify for Federal student loans or grant programs. This includes Pell Grants, College Work Study, Guaranteed Student/Plus Loans, and National Direct Student Loans."
"The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) makes registration with Selective Service a condition for U.S. citizenship if the man first arrived in the U.S. before his 26th birthday.
"The Workforce Investment Act (formerly called the Job Training Partnership Act - JTPA) offers programs that can train young men for jobs in auto mechanics and other skills. This program is only open to those men who register with Selective Service. Only men born after December 31, 1959, are required to show proof of registration.
"A man must be registered to be eligible for jobs in the Executive Branch of the Federal government and the U.S. Postal Service. Proof of registration is required only for men born after December 31, 1959. "
States have their own punishments fro failing to register -- often drastic.
And here is my favorite line from the Selective Service: "If a draft is ever needed, it must be as fair as possible, and that fairness depends on having as many eligible men as possible registered."
Read that again, and try not to laugh or to punch the computer screen. We could fill volumes writing about that one line, which is singular in it's irony, its gender inequity, it's sheer stupidity. No matter what, no similar law could ever be passed imposing such a burden on women alone. It simply is not possible.
My one question is this: where are the protests about this unfair law?
Where are the feminists who are supposedly interested in gender equity?
Oh, I'm sorry. The reality is, they really aren't interested in gender equity, are they? If they were, they'd have changed this law the way they've changed so many other things.
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6 comments:
The selective service registration requirement was the first indoctrination into feminist double standards I was ever exposed to.
Later as I studied in history I made a personal discovery that I judge equal rights movements by this one factor.
When black men marched and screamed for equal rights they also demanded equal danger and equal responsibillity. Ask any everyday woman who says women are oppressed yadda yadda why if we are equal do men have to register and women don't. All they ever say is that is the way it is suppose to be.
The very nature of feminism is entitlement and priveledge and the selective service registration shows that at its basest.
Feminists often say that neither gender should have to register, but, of course, that doesn't change the problem.
I want to see them out picketing for the "right" to register.
"Feminists often say that neither gender should have to register, but, ...."
and then do absolutely NOTHING about it. Of course they have time and energy to raise a hue and cry about non-existent problems, like the "War on Women" and such.
I was unaware of the penalties involved i failing to register. that just puts a big spike in arguments that the draft has no real affect on anyone . Crock shit.
Here's a consciouness-raising stunt: select a few thousand names and addresses of women say 19 years old. Send out official looking letters that more than six months have passed since their 18th birthday and they have failed to register for the draft and that curent penalties under apllicable law are five years imprisonment and $5,000 - or something similar.
Then in the next paragraph epxlain that there is a one-time only amnesty period for late registrants, but they must register in person at there Selective Service Board.
Do this in about five metropolitan areas at the same time. See if this doesn't get some air play. Do it around Women's Day, or bettr yet, Mother's Day. Watch the mothers of sons make a real big issue of it.
Jim, so long as this law is on the books, I don't want to hear how feminism helps men.
I personally think feminists have no problem with men being forced to register as it, provided there is another draft, provides a means of lowering the male population.
BeltainAmerica said...
" that is the way it is suppose to be. "
In regards to many disparities between the genders, I have heard too many women and girls use this lame and unacceptable excuse when things are in their favor but, not in the favor of men or boys.
Women wanted the right to vote,own property, attend college,choose to give birth to or abort a life,have careers, etc. but none that I know of, want the equal "right" to register with selective service.
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