Draft "option on the table"

[tugmoose]

Bush War Adviser Says Draft Worth a Look

 

Aug 10 06:25 PM US/Eastern

By RICHARD LARDNER

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) - Frequent tours for U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan have stressed the all-volunteer force and made it worth considering a return to a military draft, President Bush's new war adviser said Friday.

 

"I think it makes sense to certainly consider it," Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute said in an interview with National Public Radio's "All Things Considered."

 

"And I can tell you, this has always been an option on the table. But ultimately, this is a policy matter between meeting the demands for the nation's security by one means or another," Lute added in his first interview since he was confirmed by the Senate in June.

 

President Nixon abolished the draft in 1973. Restoring it, Lute said, would be a "major policy shift" and Bush has made it clear that he doesn't think it's necessary.

 

The repeated deployments affect not only the troops but their families, who can influence whether a service member decides to stay in the military, Lute said.

 

"There's both a personal dimension of this, where this kind of stress plays out across dinner tables and in living room conversations within these families," he said. "And ultimately, the health of the all- volunteer force is going to rest on those sorts of personal family decisions."

 

The military conducted a draft during the Civil War and both world wars and between 1948 and 1973. The Selective Service System, re- established in 1980, maintains a registry of 18-year-old men.

 

Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., has called for reinstating the draft as a way to end the Iraq war.

 

Bush picked Lute in mid-May as a deputy national security adviser with responsibility for ensuring efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan are coordinated with policymakers in Washington. Lute, an active-duty general, was chosen after several retired generals turned down the job.

[bobbob1313]

Sweet, all expenses paid tour of Iraq. Can't wait.

[jhh4321]

yeah i hope they pick me...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...fucking doosh bag nazis

[anodyne]

America isn't at war, the Marines are at war. America is at the mall. This is the only way to get the yellow magnet crowd to actually take a meaningful position on this war. oops, i meant to post this one

[Hi my name is Lee]

there is no way there will ever be a draft, unless we are at war at home and our borders are actively at risk...you know, beyond speculation.

 

the announcement, I think, is more of an empty warning to the Middle East, particularly Iran.

[W(TF)]

there is no way there will ever be a draft, unless we are at war at home and our borders are actively at risk...you know, beyond speculation.

 

I agree. Bring back the draft and guess what? People would actually start to give a fuck. That would be bad for business...

[tugmoose]

I'll assume there would be a deferment for "helping Dad running for president."

[mountain bed]

I'll assume there would be a deferment for "helping Dad running for president."

Stewart & Colbert have been mining this comedy gold for the last few days.

[TCP]

This is good news, I reckon'!

[anodyne]

they're going to need the draft if they open a third front in Iran.

[a.miller]

they're going to need the draft if they open a third front in Iran.

When.

[anodyne]

[Hi my name is Lee]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=07...;show_article=1

 

 

 

"I can tell you emphatically that there is absolutely no consideration being given to reinstituting the draft," said Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman. "The all-volunteer force has surpassed all expectations of its founders."

[anodyne]

from the same article:

" The US military found that it preferred voluntary service to universal conscription because it drew better educated, more highly motivated recruits looking to make a career of the military."

 

 

i don't find the pentagon to be the most credible source for public policy issues.

[Dick Ctionary]

Your government does not lie to you

[cryptique]

Your government

[WilcoFan]

 

 

I love it!

 

I'm just so excited with all of the stock market darting up and down over the last few days that our chocolate rations have increased up from 14g per day to 10 grams per day!

[ction]

 

I didn't know you were Canadian.

[bjorn_skurj]

When.

I think you are both worrying needlessly. President Hillary will be more of a diplomat.

[anodyne]

president hillary. oh dear god, the sky is falling and i want my mommy.