The US preparing for a draft.

[DinoDoc]

From beyond the grave?!

[Dinner]

John Kerry I assume.

[DinoDoc]

You're no fun.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
You're no fun.

1. Hagel hardly speaks for the admin on foreign policy


2. This clearly isnt necessary. A. If we're having trouble with military and especially reserve recruitment, thats largely because we have kept the size of the active military the same during the WOT, and have rotated the same units, kept units overseas too long, called up reserves for too long etc. All of which could be remedied by enlarging the size of the active army - paradoxically, by increasing the number of slots to fill, youd make it easier too fill them. For reasons that arent quite clear to me, but which I suspect have to do with a fondness for advanced weapons systems and military reinvention in place of lots of ground pounders, Rummy has been slow to call for an Army expansion. Whatever the rationales there are for not expanding the army, they are dwarfed by the issues that come with reinstituting conscription.

B. If the strategy in A is inadequate, we can simply increase military pay, benefits, and enlistment and reenlistment bonuses. The US is CUTTING TAXES dammit!!!!! If we can afford that, we can afford to pay enough to make the military more attractive (and give every soldier in Iraq adequate supplies, dammit!!!)

C. And doesnt this sound like a good time to drop the stupid dont ask - dont tell rule??? If you want to serve your country, and youre capable of serving it, youre welcome to do so - period.

[GePap]

We can solve poverty, hunger and the possible SS crisis all at one by forcing underpaid and underarmed masses of the poor, hungy and old to die as cannon fodder as Generals laugh and drink scotch on confy leather sofa's at HQ while dressed in old time WW1 uniforms.

[Solomwi]

Originally posted by GePap
We can solve poverty, hunger and the possible SS crisis all at one by forcing underpaid and underarmed masses of the poor, hungy and old to die as cannon fodder as Generals laugh and drink scotch on confy leather sofa's at HQ while dressed in old time WW1 uniforms.

Hey, now, just because it worked for the Soviets...

[Theben]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
Although I could support a draft if it was just aimed at borderline psychotic homosexuals living in North Carolina.

Homophobe.

Only Bubbas should be drafted.

/me looks at che

[Dis]

ha!ha!

I cannot be drafted

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Agathon
Only Bubbas should be drafted.

I think not. My nickname is Bubba, believe it or not.

[Tripledoc]

Bush plans world recruitment drive to arm for peace
April 20, 2004
The Washington Post

Facing a chronic shortage of foreign troops for peacekeeping missions, US President George Bush has decided to launch an international drive to boost the supply of available forces.

It calls for the United States to commit about $US660 million ($880 million) over the next five years to train, equip and provide logistical support to forces in nations willing to take part in peace operations.

The Global Peace Operations Initiative will be aimed largely at Africa. It will expand the peacekeeping skills of African forces and encourage international military exercises in the region, where US officials say much of the need exists.

But African forces developed under the program could be used in peace operations anywhere in the world, they said.

Pentagon officials stressed that Mr Bush wanted the plan to be a multinational push, with other countries contributing trainers and additional resources.

Many of the world's peacekeeping missions operate under the auspices of the United Nations, which now oversees more than 50,000 troops in 14 regions. The number is due to grow by about 20,000 as four more operations take shape in Haiti, Burundi, Sudan and Cyprus.

But efforts to meet this surge have been handicapped by the competing demands of US and NATO-led coalitions trying to stabilise Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans.

These operations have sapped troops and resources from the US, Canada and several European countries, which are the usual sources of support for UN peacekeeping missions.

"There is not enough capacity in the world to deal with the requirements," said the US Under-Secretary of Defence for Policy, Douglas Feith.

"Other countries have shown an interest in building up their peacekeeping forces, but they need help."

The Bush initiative's goal is to train about 75,000 additional foreign troops who could be sent on missions at short notice and perform a wide range of peacekeeping activities.

On Capitol Hill, a Democratic staff member with a Senate committee predicted the plan would receive broad bipartisan support. Several independent analysts also welcomed the initiative.

"This is an awakening for an administration that hadn't made peacekeeping a priority," said Victoria Holt, of the Henry L. Stimson Centre, a Washington research group. "They are recognising that if they want to have other countries participate in peacekeeping, they must provide more support."

Mr Bush's initiative stops short of establishing standing military units that would be devoted only to international peacekeeping.

It also makes no provision for creating forces within the US military that would be reserved for peacekeeping missions.

"We are always going to do our share of peacekeeping," said Joseph Collins, head of stability operations in the Defence Department.

"What we want to avoid is doing more than we have to."

[Theben]

75,000 additional troops is a draft?

/me wishes he had picture of che from years ago with beer in one hand and ear of corn in other

[Ming]

as much as I'd like to agree with Ming that a draft would be political suicide, these people running this country are psychotic and will probably do it anyways.

While talking about bringing back conscription may play in a few conservative states... it would still be the kiss of death in a national campaign. While many may argue that Bush is a moron... he isn't that stupid.

[Kirnwaffen]

I swear Hagel does this just to log onto Apolyton and see some poor fool jump...

[-Jrabbit]

Originally posted by Ming
While many may argue that Bush is a moron... he isn't that stupid.

I dunno... The acorn doesn't fall far from the oak.
And the oak -- a far more intelligent man than Dubya -- bolluxed up a gift-wrapped election.

Personally, I don't think Bush needs to re-institute the draft to lose this election. Never underestimate the ability of an idealogue politician to screw things up.

[Ming]

Yeah... he did screw up a gimmie...

And While I'm not claiming Dubya will win... putting a draft in place will finish him for good...