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Prosecutions Set: Registration; Draft; War

By VVAW

The Reagan Administration once again finds itself in a real bind over the questions of registration and the draft. During his presidential campaign Ronnie was way out in front concerning these questions: "It is morally objectionable," he said of the draft, "and should be used only in the most severe national emergency. Any other time a draft, or draft registration destroys the very values that out society is committed to defending." But nowadays, Ronnie is reclining at his Camp David hideaway sipping Geritol when it comes to the issue of registration and the draft. And he's setting loose his dogs on those who agreed with his position on registration and refused to sign up.

In 1980, a registration law was enacted calling for all 19 and 20 year olds to register in July of 1981, and there-after, all 18-year-olds to register for the draft. At the time, and ever since, government spokesmen have been horrified that anyone could think this move meant a return to the draft—heaven forbid! It's simply a way to accelerate the draft should, horrors (!), it ever become necessary again. It's also one efficient way of identifying potential "troublemakers" and it's been rather effective: almost a million potential registrants refused to register.

And this is where the bind came in. The last thing that the Reagan Administration wants is a rebirth of the anti-draft movement which was a large part of the anti-war movement of the '60's and early '70's. At the same time, being strong advocates of "law and order" (their law and their order), the government could hardly allow these "lawbreakers" to get away with it, even if they were only agreeing with what Reagan had said during his campaign.

After only a year in office, in January of 1982, Reagan finally decided that he supported registration. In generous repentance for having lied during his campaign, Reagan allowed a month of "grace" for those who had not registered. The response was not spectacular since those young men who refused to register in the first place were not about to change their minds. Various threats of prosecution of those who refused to register also did little good. A lengthy court battle permitted the government access to social security files so they could uncover those who had not registered. An attempt by the government to go after non-registrants who could be put on trial in remote areas was uncovered; government plans in this area are still unclear, though it is clear that Reagan & Co would much have preferred to carry out this plan in silence (until they could announce the results).

Since the Reagan Administration seems to be having a difficult time deciding what to do with this political bombshell, it's hard to tell what will happen next. It appears that the first anti-registration indictments will come down shortly; it's certain that demonstrations against registration and the draft will take place whenever and wherever such prosecutions actually take place.

Given the difficulty in finding any kind of job these days, the military will always be able to get some people who have nowhere else to go. But even with the "economic draft" and with the many inducements and high-priced ads that the all-volunteer military is putting out, the Pentagon still sees the need for registration. People do not cock a gun unless they intend it fire it; registration simply for the sake of registration is a joke—but few are laughing because the draft is lurking around the corner as soon as Reagan & co decide which war they will get us involved in. Based on our experience, VVAW plans to support, however possible, those who refused to register for the draft.

Material provided by Mike Parisi Of Chicago VVAW and Vets for Peace.