Is it time for the US to reinstate the draft?

[Drake Tungsten]

Why are anti-war folks so pro-draft? Is it because they're simply ignorant of how the modern US military functions? Is it because an all-volunteer force makes it more difficult for them to rile up opposition to the war? Or is it for some other reason?

edit: I guess we had the same thought, Ben...

[KrazyHorse]

BK

Why not?

[Ted Striker]

It just sucks to have this administration running the show.

I honestly believe things would improve dramatically if a different administration was in managing this whole thing.

We desparatley need men like Colin Powell, and Senators Lugar and McCain's advice to be heeded.

Right now it's like the lights are on but nobody is home and they got the stereo up anyway so they can't hear what all the real experts are saying about how to handle things.

[KrazyHorse]

A volunteer force which is composed mainly of the poor (both urban and rural) might tend to seem more expendable to the powers that be than a draft army which (unless there's cheating on the scale of Viet Nam, i.e. Clinton and Dubya) might theoretically give the elite something to lose.

[Ted Striker]

Good point

[Pekka]

Ted, Maybe, but I don't think that's the situation anyway. And, I have some things I need to do first. However, I have said it and I say it again and hold to my word, if I move there (after I get my degree of course, and if I get that job first in there), I will volunteer to action if the country needs me, as I feel it is my duty. I served in here for free, I'd serve again, and get paid, without hesitation. Unless I get family going on, then I have to think again. If not, I'm where I'm needed.

Rufus, It's not impossible. It's just difficult to do.

[Ted Striker]

Alright well good luck SC

[Pekka]

God is on my side. I don't need luck.

Because after serving, you have done the greatest thing a man can do for their country. And that's when US would become my country. Before that, I'd just be a guest.

[Dis]

would larger numbers of troops during the initial invasion have helped much? It may have prevented looting of weapons and ammunition. But I'm cetain we'd still be facing a nasty insurgent problem. They don't want us there. Plain and simple.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
Why are all these folks opposed to the war, also in support of a draft? It makes no sense to me.

I suppose you're talking about me, though I haven't said anything about supporting a draft.

But let me make an analogy that your newly Catholic self is sure to get:

The war is like an unwanted pregnancy.

Bush shouldn't have f*cked the place to begin with. But the chickenhawks couldn't keep it in their pants, didn't bother to use the proper protection, and now we've got a seriously unwanted situation on our hands.

Many who said, "don't f*ck it to begin with," are now saying "abort! abort!" But some of us are saying, no, abortion would be an even greater sin; we have to do the right thing. And that actually means a greater commitment.

Get it?

I don't know if a draft is the answer. I'm just asking. But I do know that I can't see any way to increase our commitment to Iraq without a draft. Can you?

[Ted Striker]

That's a damn good analogy Rufus.

In this case, I would not hit, or would have at least worn a condom.

[Ted Striker]

The only answer to me is to keep the troop committment the same, and demand accountability for what is going on. Examples like the F15 above doing reconassaince, completely getting rid of a few carriers, closing down some unnecessary international bases, and other silly expenditures.

Take the savings and put it towards rapidly developing the homegrown Iraqi security forces. Which should have been done from day 1 but was incompetently mismanaged.

[Ben Kenobi]

Not really, I was talking more towards Ted.

First off a couple more questions need to be asked.

1. Is it necessary to increase the commitment of troops in Iraq?

2. Even if it is necessary to increase the commitment, what is the level of commitment needed, and why?

3. Even with an appropriate increase, is it necessary to institute a draft to reach those goals?

All three have to be shown to be true before one can go to the draft.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
Not really, I was talking more towards Ted.

First off a couple more questions need to be asked.

1. Is it necessary to increase the commitment of troops in Iraq?

2. Even if it is necessary to increase the commitment, what is the level of commitment needed, and why?

3. Even with an appropriate increase, is it necessary to institute a draft to reach those goals?

All three have to be shown to be true before one can go to the draft.

Fair enough. It seems to me the answer to #1 is an obvious yes, but I don't have the expertise to answer 2 & 3.

[Ben Kenobi]

I have heard many good things about the homegrown Iraqi police, in fighting terrorists themselves. They tend to be the fiercest enemies, since they are the ones who suffer most.