Barry Farber
Monday, June 13, 2005

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In December 1941, the lines of young American men eager to enlist snaked around the block at recruiting stations and around and around again They wanted to enlist because America had been attacked by a foreign enemy. And today Americans are expected to enlist because they're looking for work!

The draft is political poison. So we're sitting here hoping come summer we'll get a lot of volunteer sign-ups when the young people start looking for work.

I clearly remember the moment in the 1950s when some of our academically underachieving high school friends were REJECTED by the Army even though they were physically in top shape. One of the wiser boys explained, "With all this new technological equipment coming out (1950s!) the Army figures you ought to have enough of a brain to do more than just fire a rifle."

The New York Times of Saturday, June 11, told us the Army is now looking to recruit HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS!

And there's nothing the least bit secret or subtle about any of this. And every one of our newscasts that trumpets our military manpower crisis is telling the truth in our free society AND improving terrorist morale.

So, now what?

We wish hordes of American young people would fill and overfill our military quotas, but they're not. The old football attitude kicks in here. We wish our passers could throw, our receivers could catch, and our runners could run. But they're not. We can't walk off the field. We're in the middle of a game. So we've got to come up with something. We've got to embrace the wisdom of the prudent mouse, namely: "To hell with the cheese. Let's get out of the trap!"

I propose a proven solution that doesn't call for increased perks, shorter terms of enlistment, or any lowering of standards.

Usually those who have it know they have it. Or at least they have some idea. Hollywood's maxi-megaton sexiest must be aware they're at least somewhat attractive. The richest person in the world must have some notion he's successful. The Most Valuable Player in the World Series must know he's not exactly a klutz on the baseball field.

America is the only exception. We're apparently too dumb to recognize our blazing asset and chief attraction and put it to work for us in our time of need.

Norway may be the prettiest. France may be the tastiest, Italy the most melodious, Sweden the most staid, Denmark the cutest, Japan the smilingest, Brazil the most rhythmic, China the biggest, Saudi Arabia the most oil-soaked. But America alone – with no other nation even finishing a close second – is the major mother magnet of the planet earth. The greatest compliment that can be paid to a nation is not imitation, but IMMIGRATION.

(America doesn't come off too poorly in the "imitation" competition, either!) Many more dozens of millions of people would like to live in America than could ever come, even with unchecked illegal immigration.

The best news to come America's way in a long time is not the elections in Iraq or the surge of democracy in the unlikeliest places. Much better news is that there turns out to be zero connection between rising anti-Americanism around the world and the desire of those aforementioned millions to come live in America. America's prestige, credibility, likeability and trustworthiness can flatten out to zero and those multi-millions keep on wanting to come to America with zeal unabated.

During the Korean War I was shipped to Fort Dix, N. J., for basic training. In my barracks alone there were three non-citizens taking their basic right alongside me. I didn't know non-citizens could serve in the U.S. armed forces. I asked. To my amazement – continuing amazement because since that year, 1953, I haven't heard a word about this – there was a deal.

The American government said to men of military age in foreign countries not affiliated with world communism: "We want more fighters. Come to America. If you pass your physicals you'll be inducted into the United States Army. There's a shooting war going on in Korea featuring lots of hand-to-hand fighting with North Korean and Chinese Communist troops in temperatures as low as 32 below zero. After completion of your basic training, you'll be issued an M-1 rifle and sent to Korea.

"IF YOU SURVIVE, congratulations! You'll be awarded American citizenship."

Even though the American casualty rate in that Korean War was more than 18 TIMES HIGHER THAN IN IRAQ, our recruiters couldn't handle all the eager applicants. As mentioned, I've never heard or read anything about this "deal." I can only tell you that in my barracks alone we had Chepes from Greece, Mastroianni from Italy and Gatti from Australia overjoyed to be allowed in on it.

This is not, mind you, the recruitment of mercenaries or soldiers of fortune. This is not the cobbling together of an American version of the French Foreign Legion. (Full disclosure: I have nothing against either of THOSE in American's war on terrorism!) This is the integration into the American armed forces of able-bodied foreigners drawn, not by the lure of a financial bonus or aid to future education, but by a lure more fundamental: the promise of winding up a bona fide LEGAL American citizen. Not resident alien. Not green-carded amnesty beneficiary. Not guest worker. No. Those who survive their service become authentic AMERICANS!

And that's why the ease with which illegal aliens can cross into America is so absurdly dangerous. In 1953, the year of my basic training, America never suffered a second thought about illegal aliens. They simply didn't exist, at least not to our general knowledge. Aliens had to have "sponsors" guaranteeing they never become a burden on the taxpayer. Aliens had to "register" at an American post office every January. I know. I married one. And I still remember fearing we'd forget and not be able to find a post office open before the expiration month of January!

So, is a person blessed with appeal allowed to "use" that appeal? Within rational limits, who would say "No"? Is a wealthy person allowed to use his wealth to further his legitimate interests? And should the World Series superstar instruct his agent to tell the team owners: "Shucks. I don't deserve this much money!"

The absurdity answers itself. And so does the absurdity of America, the world's champion attracter of wannabe belongers, puffing and humping along with a monthly deficit of military recruitment, failing to utilize its incredible power to attract.

Students frequently ask their professors, "Do I still have a chance at a good grade, or am I too far gone?" Patients frequently ask their doctors, "If I quit smoking, do I still have a chance, or am I too far gone?" Let's ask ourselves, "With illegal aliens having such an easy time these days in America, are we too far gone or can we still reinstall the credibility that would make the incentive of American citizenship reason enough for a young fighter to risk his life?

If I'm the doctor, I have this good news. Neither Chepes from Greece, Mastroianni from Italy nor Gatti from Australia would have dared dream of trying to become an American by NOT joining the American armed forces but rather going to Mexico and sneaking across the border and trying his luck with American political riptides.

The overwhelming majority of members of our armed forces happen to be Americans-by-chance.

We will have no further "deficits in recruitment" if we step aside and invite as many Americans-by-choice as we need!

You may, and many of you will, continue to champion the "rights" of foreign-born who sneak into America illegally in hopes of a better life.

And I will continue to prefer those who understand and love this country enough to risk their lives defending and extending its democracy.

Editor's note:
Hat Protects Your from Sun and Cancer! Get the Desert Hat Worn By Our Troops – Click Here Now!
GI Jane Is at War – Find Out the Truth About Females in Combat – Go Here Now
Heroes of 1942 – the year that turned the tide in World War II