Senior Republican lawmaker to bring back the draft, not a joke

[Brian_Expat]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040420/pl_afp/us_iraq_military_draft_040420163408

A senior Republican lawmaker said that deteriorating security in Iraq (news - web sites) may force the United States to reintroduce the military draft.

"There's not an American ... that doesn't understand what we are engaged in today and what the prospects are for the future," Senator Chuck Hagel told a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on post-occupation Iraq.

"Why shouldn't we ask all of our citizens to bear some responsibility and pay some price?" Hagel said, arguing that restoring compulsory military service would force "our citizens to understand the intensity and depth of challenges we face."

The Nebraska Republican added that a draft, which was ended in the early 1970s, would spread the burden of military service in Iraq more equitably among various social strata.

"Those who are serving today and dying today are the middle class and lower middle class," he observed.

The call to consider a imposing a draft comes just days after the Pentagon (news - web sites) moved to extend the missions of some 20,000 of the 135,000 US troops in Iraq.

Well, they cannot say we didn't warn them. All the yuppies are about to trade their children's lives for their SUVs and false security. I wonder if their consciences will bother them?

[livetohike]

1. Okay

the Bush twins go first.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. "Hitler Hagel"

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[RafterMan]

8. Hitler?

The guy's been a stronger critic of Bush's foreign policy than most Democrats and you call him Hitler?

This just sounds like the Rangel plan: an attempt to discourage adventurism by making sure people know the cost.

[mmonk]

34. Hagel is doing what must be done

to show the people the full breadth of this policy with its costs and to strengthen our situation over there if we must carry on with this policy

[yella_dawg]

3. This comes as a surprise to

who??

[Skidmore]

4. Great, let 'em own

this albatross. Go for it, Chucky!

[redqueen]

6. You do know that Sen. Clinton has their back on this issue, right?

*sigh*

[Skidmore]

17. Well then perhaps it'll come back and

slap her one too. Sometimes you need to do what is right, not what is expedient. I'm tired of giving people passes.

[July]

19. Please link, I didn't see this.

What has Hillary said?

[redqueen]

22. Here's a blurb on her comments

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4372246

She's careful to avoid saying we need a draft, but makes it clear that we need more troops, and that the volunteer army's future is uncertain. (?)

We'll see a draft, IMO, no matter who wins.

Anyone remember that song from... I don't know for sure, think it was Falcon and the Snowman... ~This is not America~? David Bowie, I think. It comes to mind frequently.

[July]

27. Link didn't work for me, but your summary doesn't sound like

she's got the Republicans' backs. Lots of people have been saying we need more troops from day 1. Let's not assume anything yet.

[Joanne98]

5. I wonder where Dems will win went

She was the one who always had the best updates on this.

[coltman]

7. Was going to reply...

and all the shirks and dodgers of the 60's and 70's go first.But instead if we as a nation have to do this ,let's get it fucking right this time.

[finn]

12. close all loopwholes

so the ratshit eating repug thugs have to go and not hide like their hero the ratshit eating in the white house

[SnowGoose]

13. the only way to "get it right"

Is to stop seding people off to kill and die.

"Shirking" or "dodging" a project to kill others is probably doing the most moral thing possible (of course they lose all that moral high ground if they advocate for the war, and simply want other people to go do the bloody and dangerous work).

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. It sure would get under their control a number of likely anti-Bush voters.

Get them out of the country before they can vote Bush out.

[izzie]

10. I was glad to see the draft go but will say this.

It did mean more people watched what was going on when we had it. With the National guard it does get back to the people more but I have really had to think over this once more. Our founders wanted a citizen army and not a standing army and we seem to have reached a point of having to good of a army. All the Presidents want to use it for their own ends.I do not think this country should be a slave to paying for an endless army. Billions spent on CIA, FBI and army did not stop terrorists. We have to rethink what we are doing for this new age. Maybe every one having to put in say 2 years for their country in some way would be a good thing. Yar I am all over the place on this.

[Pillowbiter]

29. You made perfect and logical sense to me

I do agree that national service should be mandatory for at least a year period, but Military service should not be the only option. Public service, peace corps, even government interning are just a few possibilities out of many. This would also get those people who complain about the poor living off of them to shut up, because everyone will have put in their time.

I am getting to the point where I fear our army more than any terrorists. If the people in the military will unquestioningly illegally invade a country that has never attacked us, they might just loose a little sleep every now and then over having to kill some protesters in America, who he has been told are hindering the war on terror.

PB

[truthspeaker]

11. in a way he's right

If we are serious about "winning" in Iraq we will need far more troops than we have available. They are already lengthening deployments and using stop-loss. And if we needed a draft for a necessary war I would, reluctantly, support it (ie, WWII). But this is NOT a necessary war. And just like Vietnam, people will refuse to die to promote imperialism.

The only viable alternative to a draft is to get the fuck out of Iraq.

[Leilani]

14. That title is misleading

Hagel says we may need to bring back the draft.

DUH!!!

We don t have enough troops, & he is addressing a reality.

Maybe if the sheeple understand this fact, they will lose their enthusiasm for Imperialism.

[Brian_Expat]

15. Hagel was one of the people who lied earlier. . .

. . . and claimed that a draft wasn't necessary, and that Selective Service re-activation was "routine" and had nothing to do with Iraq at all.

Now comes the "sombre announcement" the day after the election that we just have to send more troops in, with the reactivation of the draft.

[Leilani]

21. But the election hasnt happened yet

& he s talking about it now.

We need to get everybody on the record, as to where they stand on the draft & this war.

Seems to me, if people realized their children may be drafted, they will rethink this war, & whether it is necessary or optional.

[barbaraann]

16. If John Kerry doesn't make it clear that he will not bring back

the draft, he will lose any moral authority he has as an alternative to BFEE bloodlust and he will lose in a landslide.

If he wants to send my son to die just like George Bush does, there is no way in hell I am going to vote, volunteer, or contribute.

I am at the edge of the point of no return.

[redqueen]

20. Oh please don't say that

By not voting for Kerry, you're helping Bush to win, and you KNOW you'll see a draft under Bush. At least we have a chance with Kerry.

*sigh*

It's gonna be a long summer, folks. :(

[barbaraann]

25. If Kerry will not say there will be no draft, what do you think

will happen?

Coupled with his total support of Ariel Sharon's policies, the conclusion is inescapable.

Please understand that I wish with all of my heart that Kerry will say that he will not bring back the draft, but I haven't heard that yet.

[redqueen]

26. I said in another post

I'm pretty sure we'll see a draft no matter who wins.

But at least under Kerry we have a ghost of a chance of retaining our quickly-evaporating freedoms and hopefully our republic.

[barbaraann]

32. If either of them brings back the draft,

I believe martial law will also be instituted to deal with the backlash.

[elperromagico]

18. My ass it will distribute the burden.

How many children of Representatives and Senators will shed their blood in the battlefields of Iraq? Precious few. How many children of the rich and privileged will shed their blood in the battlefields of Iraq? Precious few.

Cut the populist bullshit, Senator Hagel. You're not fooling anybody. You need fresh cannon fodder, and you know it. Why can't these bastards be honest?

[redqueen]

23. LOL

Because then people might start waking up! TPTB can't have that happening, now can they?

[Leilani]

24. But maybe this is a good discussion to have

Because all the phoney flag wavers will have to put-up or shut-up!

[Killarney]

28. I'm so glad this is out there

Merely a few months ago, I was called a tin foil hatter by thinking the draft would come back under Bush. Now, they're almost calling for it.

The draft will do Shrub in. It will. Even those wimpy College Republicans would vote for Kerry for fear of a draft.

[IronLionZion]

30. If they make it fair then it will never happen

that means no buying your way out of service or going to the Texas Air National Guard to fly obsolete planes.

If rich kids are at risk, then it will not happen.

I registered for the draft, but Big Dog was president then.

[Killarney]

31. EVERYONE RATE THIS STORY A 5

It was on Yahoo's main page and then disappeared. Please rate it to keep it up high.

Everyone needs to know that Bush's warmongering may lead us to another draft. If Bush is given 4 more years... you KNOW he'll want Iran next, then Syria. A draft WILL happen under Bush.

I was telling friends this a few months ago (the draft will come back) and they said I was crazy. They need to know it is a likely possibility.

[LunaC]

33. "Those who are serving/dying today are the middle class and lower classes"

Well then, just draft the upper-class kids.....then watch how quickly the rich parents get the nonsense in Iraq stopped! Money talks....