the Draft, and American politician's kids...

[max_tranmere]

I saw a TV debate on Friday about 9/11 and this American guy said the Iraq and Afghanistan wars would never have been considered by American senators, let alone carried out, had there been the compulsory draft like they used to have in America. He said "could you imagine Hillary Clinton voting in favour of the wars if she knew her daughter Chelsea would have to go and fight?"

Very interesting point. What do people think? On one hand I think he was probably right, politicans are quite selfish people and expect bad things to have to be done by others and not by them or theirs, but on the other hand in the days of the compulsory draft Amercan senators did vote in favour of wars, knowing their own kids would have to go and fight.

[Jonone]

I think the liklihood is that their children were exempt because they were students. Alternatively they have a commission similar to Prince Harry's. In truth, what kind of risk is Harry exposed too? He's more likely to choke on his own vomit than catch a bullet.

[max_tranmere]

Don't know about Harry but I would think it unlikely that kids of politicians get special, less dangerous duties, I imagine they would be exposed to the same things as other soldiers. During World War 1 the son of the British Prime Minister at the time went to war - and was killed.