War Czar: Draft “has always been an option”
It turns out that a return to a military draft has never “been off the table”. And, this turns out to be one of the biggest ‘duh’ moments of the Bush regime. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Talking about re-instituting conscription in the U.S. is political suicide for anyone seeking election. Let’s remember, though, that George Bush is most certainly not seeking further office after his term expires. During the 2004 presidential election run, speculation was rampant that Bush could not possibly continue the war in Iraq in to 2005 AND truly protect national security interests unless a draft was reinstated.
The speculation turned out to be part right, part wrong. Bush did continue the war into 2005. The only way that manpower requirements have continued to be met is by using the corporate model: stretch your current employees to the breaking point (and beyond) when workload increases, but manpower doesn’t. National security interests being truly protected? Fat chance. The military in this country is stretched as thin as a Mormon virgin’s hymen. But a draft? No way, no how. Jackasses and elephants everywhere agree - when it comes to a draft - that’s the third rail of military politics.
So, no, no, no, no, no, goddamit, no. No draft yet, but…well…
You know, that’s a national policy decision point that we have not yet reached…I think it makes sense to certainly consider it, and I can tell you, this has always been an option on the table…
- Gen. Douglas Lute, Bush regime war czar, 8/10/2007
Hmmm. That’s interesting. I thought that the “national policy decision point” had already been reached?
Now, forget all this talk about a draft. We’re not going to have a draft so long as I am the president.
- George W. Bush, , POTUS, 10/9/2004
And this from the real POTUS:
Cheney said President Bush wanted to stay on the offensive with a global military solution to terrorism, but he called draft rumors “a myth that John Kerry is peddling.”
So, General Lute, it seems that we did reach that pesky little “national policy decision point” as far back as three years ago.
The lies never end, because the liars never stop lying.
From rampup to Ft Jackson, SC, 193 days to implement a draft is a whirlwind schedule. We’re not talking about drips and drabs of eligible conscriptees coming through the door singing five part harmonies. From the time a draft is authorized through the first thirty days that a draft is operational, the Selective Service Agency is committed to delivering 100,000 inductees…
Please read ASZ’s previous article on the Selective Service and potential to re-institute the draft (excerpted above), and consider applying for a position on your local Selective Service Board.
(h/t to Brendan for the lead!)
The draft may finally cause enough people to say”enough is enough” that something will actually be done about the government and these 2 worthless parties that have screwed things up so bad.
You want someone’s attention, engage their self interest. You want antiwar protests with over 100 k marching and sitting in on a regular basis, start up the draft and watch the apathy fall away…
Aside from marching, the members of Congress, Democrats, Republicans and Independents, would have their phones ringing off their hooks. Heck! It might even overwhelm the entire phone system like some major disaster. Bush may not be running for re-election, but all the members of the House and a third of the members of the Senate will be. The only way around that is if martial law would be declared and the Cheney/Bush/Rove plan for full dictatorship were to kick in. Any possibility that Cheney, etal could set up another “terrorist attack” to achieve that end?
You want someone’s attention, engage their self interest. You want antiwar protests with over 100 k marching and sitting in on a regular basis, start up the draft and watch the apathy fall away…
I’ve been saying that now for four years. The only reason - the only reason - that the occupation has gone on for over four years is that there is no compulsory service. If there were a draft, all of a sudden, young people would get engaged.
“But if two of you walk into the recruiting office and sing a few bars of “Alice’s Restaurant” then they’ll think you’re fags and the won’t take you in the Army.”
RIchard, you’re a smart guy, but you seem to have this bug up your butt about a draft. It simply is not going to happen, because it would be political suicide. Period.
RIchard, you’re a smart guy, but you seem to have this bug up your butt about a draft.
You might be right about the bug, Scribe. If I do, it’s because I see no alternative in the near term (1 to 5 years) for solving the manpower crisis in the military. Apparently, General Lute feels secure enough in his job (because no one else would take it) to speak the truth - or, at least, take a realistic assessment of manpower deficiencies in the military.
People can whistle past the graveyard all they want on the draft, but I do think that it’s eventually going to happen, political suicide or not.
You might ask why I even care, since I served and I’m well past the age of cannon fodder. It’s partly because I can see the handwriting on the wall, and partly because both of my children are well within the demographic for being called. But more than anything, it’s a topic that really gets people to pay attention, and drives them to make their own assessments of risk and why a draft would even be needed.
it would be political suicide
Can a corpse commit suicide?
The Bush daughters would be a number but we wouldn’t know what number they are … even with a little insistance . And in the end we would be lied to anyway.
It amazes me that everyone is sooooo opposed to the draft. I for one have not felt safe in America since former Pres. Carter did away with it. I think that the young people now have no sense of allegence to America. If we were to be attacked in our country in a BIG way, the only men we have are the ones that have served already. I see men in their 50’s and over being the ones to take up arms. It is so sad and pathetic to see the way our young men are now. The only ones with respect are the ones who presently serve. Seems to me all of you who write on this site better practice shooting a gun. You may have to defend yourself against a terrorist, because there isn’t enough army to do it for you. How blind America is now. Politically Correctness will bring this country down, because no one wants to recognize what crappy parents they have been. Call it something else because you can’t face what your children have become. Make real men out of these boys that the parents let TV and Computers raise. Reinstate the DRAFT!!!