Does McCain’s Presidential Bid Lead to a Draft?
I often hear people complain that this war hasn’t been “felt” by the American people at the level of past wars. We have a volunteer military, no government-imposed rationing, and our comic books don’t have ads for war bonds. Apparently, it doesn’t take a draft for a war to become wildly unpopular. And if a war is already wildly unpopular then what’s to stop us from upping our level of engagement? If we are planning to fix Iraq and remake it in our own image, we will need more troops on the ground, and a whole lot more then McCain’s current proposal to add another 10,000. If we really believe that it is in our country’s best interest to force the problem nations of the world to have elected leadership, then we may have to consider a draft. If McCain runs on a platform of increased troop presence (of course, this a year or so off), and wins, the number of Americans in Iraq is likely to grow–forcing the issue of a draft, if only to clean up Bush’s mess.
It may be unconscionable to cut and run, but really, are the other options any more palatable? McCain feels that sending more troops is the moral thing to do–and he may be right. Leaving now would probably destabilize the region, and letting the current situation languish with 165,000 soldiers is completely unsafe. Is anyone for a constitutional amendment against starting preemptive wars? I think it would be right to make sure future generations can’t get into this situation.
Sunday, November 12 11:27 pm
If you think there is going to be a draft you are clearly a moron. Not one nada American would be willing to have a draft for Iraq… That is absurd. If anything Iran and N Korea should be your worries for a draft. But jesus, like the American people would really consider such a thing. Diplomacy is the key for Iran and NK, and Iraq… Well… We are going to be there permanently so no sense in arguing about a time line… hence the permanent bases.. Not going to happen charlie.
Monday, November 13 12:21 am
You may be right but is it morally correct to leave the troop levels where they are… I’m not sure it is, you either need to leave or stay, but with enough people to stay there safely, and perhaps build permanent bases. Bush has said several times that there will not be permanent bases in Iraq, this could change, but I haven’t seen a lot of flexibility out of the Bush administration… The idea is absurd, but a change in course could include either solution…
As for the draft? All it would take is another attack…
Monday, November 13 8:54 am
Again I have to voice my support for a draft as that’s the best way to prevent pre-emptive war. Having said that, MaCain’s idea is f’d because there is no plan (heard that about anyone before?). It doesn’t matter how many troops we put into a civil war, at some point we’d have to pick a side and kill the other. The only way out now is to divide the country. I hate to say it, but Saddam was doing a much better job of moving iraq towards a stable democracy than we are (and he was killing a lot less people). The only thing more soldiers would accomplish is more killing, it wouldn’t help.
Monday, November 13 12:10 pm
I think we need to put all of our resources and man power into exploration of a time machine, and just not go to Iraq in the first place. As for a draft, not gonna happen. We’ll jump ship first. McCain is just politicking for the presidency, targeting the now-disenfranchised war-mongering right-wingers.
Monday, November 13 1:53 pm
I am for a constitutional amendment for the first wave of any future attacks on any country for any reason will be led by both houses of Congresses with the VP on point.
We will arm them with three-hole punchers and dirty socks.
If they can defeat an enemy armed with only three-hole punchers and dirty socks, then they can proceed with conventionl warfare.
Tuesday, November 14 12:45 am
WTF… My storie no longer shows up in digg… That is the only reason I wrote it… what gives…
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