PNAC tactfully asking Congress to bring back the Draft

[NEOBuckeye]

I first stumbled onto this reading Will Pitt's blog at truthout.org/fyi so I can't take full credit for finding it. But that's aside from the point. In a nutshell, Project for a New American Century -- whom you know as that same bunch of Neo-Conservative ideologues who brought us the Second Iraq War -- apparently want to make sure that the US military is staffed and ready for whatever comes next. Presumably Iran. So they've written a 'Letter to Congress on Increasing U.S. Ground Forces'

--

The United States military is too small for the responsibilities we are asking it to assume. Those responsibilities are real and important. They are not going away. The United States will not and should not become less engaged in the world in the years to come. But our national security, global peace and stability, and the defense and promotion of freedom in the post-9/11 world require a larger military force than we have today. The administration has unfortunately resisted increasing our ground forces to the size needed to meet today's (and tomorrow's) missions and challenges.

So we write to ask you and your colleagues in the legislative branch to take the steps necessary to increase substantially the size of the active duty Army and Marine Corps. While estimates vary about just how large an increase is required, and Congress will make its own determination as to size and structure, it is our judgment that we should aim for an increase in the active duty Army and Marine Corps, together, of at least 25,000 troops each year over the next several years.

---snip---

The men and women of our military have performed magnificently over the last few years. We are more proud of them than we can say. But many of them would be the first to say that the armed forces are too small. And we would say that surely we should be doing more to honor the contract between America and those who serve her in war. Reserves were meant to be reserves, not regulars. Our regulars and reserves are not only proving themselves as warriors, but as humanitarians and builders of emerging democracies. Our armed forces, active and reserve, are once again proving their value to the nation. We can honor their sacrifices by giving them the manpower and the materiel they need.

Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution places the power and the duty to raise and support the military forces of the United States in the hands of the Congress. That is why we, the undersigned, a bipartisan group with diverse policy views, have come together to call upon you to act. You will be serving your country well if you insist on providing the military manpower we need to meet America's obligations, and to help ensure success in carrying out our foreign policy objectives in a dangerous, but also hopeful, world.

http://www.newamericancentury.org/defense-20050128.htm

Here we go again...

[Catch22Dem]

1. That pretty much solidifies it

Considering PNAC basically runs the entire country and congress.

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. Didn't Kerry also call for more troops?

Does that mean that he would have reinstated the draft if he had been elected?

[Sub Atomic]

11. watch your tongue, there freddie.

they'll have your name on a tombstone for invoking the anti-kerryism around here.

[Freddie Stubbs]

12. I'm just applying the same logic that the original poster is

Perhaps they are wrong? :shrug:

[Peak_Oil]

3. We just did this in GD.

There's a couple good threads that go deep into this issue. Here's the recap.

1. The PNAC did not ask for a draft. It doesn't say draft anywhere in there at all.

2. On a totally unrelated note, Congresscritter Rengel is resubmitting his bill HR 163 from the 108th congress (make sure you search on 108th congress, not 109th).

3. PNAC letter is dated in Jan 2005, draft legislation is from 2003/04.

4. PNAC is evil, and has many tentacles. That doesn't mean they called for a draft.

That is all.

[dweller]

4. It's Charlie

RANGEL


that is all,
dp

[BeHereNow]

8. With all due respect Peak Oil...

I somehow do not think we are operating
or communicating from the same point
of reference and research.
If we were, you would comprehend what
so many on DU do-
THIS IS A PNAC DEMAND FOR A DRAFT.
Rangel will introduce it.
The Dems will be blamed.
PNAC will continue their DISASTEROUS agenda
for total hegemony of the planet.
With our blood and coin.
How can I gently tell you this?
You don't have a clue what is happening
or intended.
BHN

[librechik]

13. P_O-do you believe they would draw the line

at the draft while getting their desire? Are you so trusting as to imagine that it has never entered into their discussions somewhere? Surely all means to get what they wish are on the table for that bunch. After all, the letter doesn't explicitly say "recruit new volunteers" either. It just asks for 25,000 more soldiers a year, and asserts it's up to the legislative branch to raise them.

I thought the military was in charge of recruitment, and the congress in charge of conscription. Therefore, isn't sending the letter to Congress rather than the Pentagon exactly the same as saying "draft?" If not, then why the request for draft board volunteers, 2 years running?(for the first time in 20)


Reading the letter word for word as justification for your claim that they "are not saying" they want a draft is a mistake. What leads you to believe that PNAC is being open and honest in its presentation? Do you not realize they fudge facts, obfuscate and outright lie on purpose in order to influence people? It's part of their philosophy. They're proud of it. In fact, if they do not "say" draft, you may be certain that they "mean" draft.

[paineinthearse]

5. 1001th reminder - apply to be a member of the local draft board

If you are eligable, PLEASE apply to the selective service to be a member of your local draft board. I did and am waiting their reply.

http://www4.sss.gov/localboardmembers/bminquiry.asp

Local Board members are volunteers appointed by the President. They play an important community role closely connected with our nation's defense. If a military draft becomes necessary, approximately 2,000 Local Boards throughout America would decide which young men in each community receive deferments, postponements, or exemptions from military service based on federal guidelines.

This form is for people interested in becoming a Local Board Member with Selective Service. To register with Selective Service, you should go to the on-line registration page.

If you are interested in receiving information on becoming a Board Member for the Selective Service System (SSS), please complete this form. When you submit the following information to the Selective Service System, you will receive an application for board membership, a business reply envelope, and a Board Member Information Booklet that gives details on Board Member responsibilities. After you have submitted your application, a Selective Service employee will contact you to schedule a personal interview.

Qualifications for becoming a Local Board Member:

Must be 18 years old or older
Must be a citizen of the United States
Men must have registered with the Selective Service,
except those born from March 29, 1957 through December 31, 1959.
Must not be an employee of any law enforcement organization
Must not be an active or retired member of the Armed Forces
Must not have been convicted of any criminal offense.

[Peak_Oil]

6. I did too!

I wonder what will happen.

[ArkDem]

7. Earthshattering!

[welshTerrier2]

9. Reid called for 40,000 more troops

i'll see your 25 and raise you 15 ... needless to say, i was not happy with the comments mr. reid made today on this point ...

maybe when we learn that not every foreign policy requires troops we can start talking about reducing the size of our military ...

[Just Me]

10. Standard Operating Procedure. Deceive/Betray,...TAKE. n/t