To: Chuck Pelto
Re: My age, etc.
How old are YOU Paul. And what have YOU done for US? — Chuck Pelto
Well, since you asked, I’m 65.
Sixty-five would put me near the edge of the window I proposed for the senior draft, but — if I can anticipate a possible objection you might raise — I originally proposed the idea of a draft that targets older Americans four years ago when I was 61, at which time I would have been eligible.
And yes, as you probably surmised, the idea was put forth somewhat tongue-in-cheek and as a thought experiment, but the more I reflect on the core of it, which is that it is in the cold-eyed interest of the American republic to draw on its older, more experienced citizens for military service in time of war, deserves serious consideration
As for what I’ve done (and not done) for the US — I have not served in the armed forces. The closest I’ve come to the sharp end was three weeks in Tel Aviv as a freelance correspondent during the Gulf War in 1991.
I have served in elective office in local government — six years as a City Councilman and more than nine years as a County Commissioner. That certainly doesn’t involve anywhere near the sort of personal sacrifice or gallantry that military service requires, but I think it does qualify as public service.
As for what I actually DID during that time…well…did my damnedest to uphold the Constitution and the laws, provided a couple hundred thousand people with a reasonably competent, non-corrupt, government based on the rule of law, and generally tried to do the greatest good for the greatest number. Mostly, I just made several thousand samll decisions. none of them are very notable in the grand scheme of things, but if somebody doesn’t tend to them, the wheels can come off civilization in a hurry.
But enough about me. How old are you? And what’s your story?
Regards,
Paul Danish
