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Should The Draft Be Reinstated?
When is reinstating the draft going to be viewed as a real possibility? In a time when deployments to all corners of the world have occurred, been requested, and are on the horizon… bringing back the draft should be a viable concept to meet all of these needs. Shouldn’t a government by the people and for the people be defended by “all” of the people?
At times it may seem that the United States of America isn’t still at war. Despite being in direct conflict (Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria) since 2001, a significant portion of the population doesn’t seem to grasp the full realities of our engagements. In particular, our elected officials appear to operate with full immunity from the consequences of their own actions.
Reinstitution of the draft may provide the extra incentive for our representatives to make more conscientious decisions. With the presence of personal connections in developing policies, the ease of sending our children off to war would be more measured and properly debated. It’s difficult to ignore the steady decrease in military experience possessed by our leaders and the disproportionate amount of s”kin” in the game compared to the rest of the population. The draft has the capability of leveling-out the playing field for everyone.
Listening to some of the recent words uttered by a few members of Congress (in reference to the nuclear negotiations with Iran) have been concerning to say the least. Throwing words around like “preemptive strike“stirs memories of past indiscretions that have only increased our responsibilities around the globe and lessen our overall stability. I feel the draft would naturally re-engage a greater percentage of the public to keep a watchful eye on our elected officials and our position on the world stage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21XmzA6vtlU
The benefits of the draft could also present itself in training our younger population in two of the more vital pillars of success. Discipline and teamwork would be learned in daily interactions towards a common goal. That interaction can also foster valuable relationships across a range of economic, social and cultural backgrounds which may have a positive effect on our society as a whole.
Another important byproduct of this initiative can be realized in the reduction of tours served by our military personnel. In the era of a voluntary military force it has become abundantly clear just how much is sacrificed and how free freedom is not.
Almost every year for the past 6 years and on the same day, I’ve posted the same pic of me in the hospital during my temporary and untimely demise in 2015. A few weeks after I was back to “normal”, I asked Eric “Why’d you take the pics?” And he said, “I knew you would want to write about it if you lived.” Eric was right. Eric was often right and Eric always had my best interest at heart. I am going to miss my friend.
You ever meet someone and become friends immediately?! Well this was not the case with Eric. Before he was my manager at Morgan Stanley, I would often see this 6’4″, giant white guy walk up to the only black woman at work, say something then walk away without any hint of human emotion. Naturally I thought he was a jerk until I asked her “Yo, is that dude bothering you?” She laughed and proceeded to tell me he was a great person, which I ultimately got to experience first hand. Little did I know this Italian from Staten Island was more Brooklyn than most Brooklynites.
Eric was not with the shits!! If there were ever someone who lived their life in direct, honest and no uncertain terms, that would be Eric. He would ask me questions at work like “Why are the other consultants making more money than you?” I knew the answer to that question and so did he. Eric then proceeded to increase my salary by 15K. After arguing with all our managers that “You need to hire Alfred!”, they eventually did 1 year prior to the 2015 incident. In the hospital, one of my friends asked me, “What if you didn’t have health insurance when this happened?” I would be in debt for the rest of my life is the obvious answer. I still am in debt for the rest of my life but at least, it is to those who made sure I had a more enjoyable life and for that, I will gladly repay.
My mom loved to tell me the story of how she met Eric. After they told her I was going to be in the ICU for some time, she told the doctor “Well I’m not going anywhere.” She then hears a voice from that back of the room that says “Well I’m not going anywhere either!” That was Eric and in true form, he was at that hospital every single day until I was discharged.
Eric passed away in December 2021 of stage 4 cancer. After feeling faint on his way to my bbq, he went to get checked out and was diagnosed. During the past 5 years, Eric lost his mom, twin brother and dad. I can’t even begin to imagine what that must have felt like but I’m glad that pain he was feeling is no more.
From being my manager to my business partner, writer, book editor, artistic director, and most importantly, my friend, I am going to miss you MC Krispy E a.k.a “Enrique Pollazo!” And although you told me Enrique means Henry in Spanish and not Eric, it was too late!
Sidebar. The day I was discharged, while everyone was deciding what was best for me, no one had remembered that I would need clothes in order to leave the hospital. Eric shows up (unasked) with all the clothes I had on the day I coded, laundered and ready to go. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve friends like this but i need to keep doing it! Sidebar complete.
Rest in Peace Eric. “Be Good.”
I had the distinct pleasure of participating in a panel discussion on writing your first book, presented by the Harlem chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Alongside Jim St. Germain, Author – A Stone of Hope: A Memoir and Dr. Keneshia Nicole Grant, Author – The Great Migration and the Democratic Party: Black Voters and the Realignment of American Politics in the 20th Century. We opined on pain points, benefits and strategies regarding our inaugural voyages into authorship. Feel free to watch for your self and I hope this provides some insight to all those looking to make the same voyage. Enjoy!
