From the October 2002 Idaho Observer:

Legislature provides Idaho youth with opportunity of a “death time”

by The Idaho Observer

Representative Max Black (R-Boise) introduced H 611 into the House Transportation and Defense Committee February 18. The bill, which was only briefly entertained in committee before being given a “do pass” recommendation by Senator Darrel Deide (R-Caldwell), provides that boys who enroll in driver training will automatically be registered for the draft under the federal Selective Service Act.

The bill passed the Senate March 11, 2002 with a vote of 32-1-2, Senator Stan Hawkins (R-Ucon) the only abstaining vote. The bill amended sections 49-306 and 49-2444 of Idaho Code effective last June.

The bill stated, “RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSES, INSTRUCTION PERMITS AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS; ....TO PROVIDE THAT INDIVIDUALS REQUIRED TO REGISTER IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL MILITARY SELECTIVE SERVICE ACT SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO FULFILL SUCH REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN APPLICATION FOR A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR INSTRUCTION PERMIT AND ANY REGISTRATION INFORMATION SO SUPPLIED SHALL BE TRANSMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO THE SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM; AND AMENDING SECTION 49-2444, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE THAT INDIVIDUALS REQUIRED TO REGISTER IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL MILITARY SELECTIVE SERVICE ACT SHALL BE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO FULFILL SUCH REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN IDENTIFICATION CARD AND ANY REGISTRATION INFORMATION SUPPLIED SHALL BE TRANSMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO THE SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM.”

The Idaho Observer was informed that driver training enrollment is conducted electronically and that, once the computer recognizes the enrollee as male, he is prompted to answer the following question: Do you object to the information on this form being provided to the Selective Service System?

Last September a young man answered, “Yes,” thereby not taking advantage of the opportunity to meet his Selective Service registration obligations through his enrollment in driver training.

The woman at the Department of Motor Vehicles reportedly said, “You shouldn't do that because within 10 days you will get a letter from the Selective Service System threatening five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for failing to register for the draft.”

All boys between the ages of 16 and 26 are required under federal law to register for the draft. Passage of H 611 effectively betrayed the youth of Idaho by making the state an agent for those who would put uniforms on our children, give them guns and order them to die in an illegitimate war that in no way protects the interests of the American people or her borders.