has Kerry said anything on the draft?

[ulysses]

[liberalnurse]

1. No, and I'd like a promise that he won't

let the draft be reinstated if he becomes the nominee.

[Dookus]

5. any candidate

would be stupid to make such a promise.

There's no way to know what the future brings.

[Taeger]

7. Nope. Theory of Just Wars

A just war typically doesn't require a draft. People will willingly fight and die for the well being of their nation. Those who don't will be labeled cowards.

A just war is voted on by enlistments. If a world situation does not prompt enlistments. If people don't volunteer for service in foreign armies as they did in WWI and WWII. It is NOT a just war and should NOT be fought!!!!!

So Kerry should pledge not to re-institute a draft.

[Dookus]

8. there was no draft

in WWI and WWII?

[Dookus]

10. Taeger?

Yoohoo!

Is it your assertion that there was no draft during the two world wars?

[Taeger]

20. NO it isn't

It's my assertion that people got up and enlisted to fight the Germans in vast numbers. People who didn't enlist were considered cowards.

When you can't get a large number of enlistements SPECIFICALLY for fighting a conflict, it isn't a just war.

[Dookus]

21. well...

you said a just war typically doesn't require a draft.

Can you give me examples of just wars we've fought without a draft? Can you provide any evidence that this is "typical"?

In fact, can you find ANY nation that's fought "just wars" without a draft? enough to make it "typical"?

[greatauntoftriplets]

12. What Dookus said.

Plus, are you saying that the invasion and occupation of Iraq constitute a "just war"? On what basis?

[Dookus]

17. ah well...

Just so you know. Yes, there were drafts for both World Wars. As well as every war prior to the first Gulf War. The all-volunteer army was created in 1973. There were short periods of time prior to that with a volunteer army, but during peacetime.

So by your definition, the only "just wars" fought by the US were both gulf wars.

[IndianaGreen]

2. Who can believe anything Kerry says?

I don't trust this man at all. Kerry can be on every side of an issue at once!

Kerry cannot be trusted!

[liberalnurse]

13. That the short of it .....

I don't believe anything he says....He is all over the place. A man for all seasons and gives the impression he'd say anything to win a vote.

[Hoppin_Mad]

16. I don't and won't -nt-

[Killarney]

3. Yes, he has stated publicly that he is against it.

I've seen the quote here on DU, you can probably do a search for it.

[IndianaGreen]

4. Kerry has also called for two more Army Divisions

and with enlistments down, how does he propose to field them?

[burrowowl]

11. He seems to think that

30 to 40,000 more troops are needed in Iraq. So unless we take a lot of troops from Europe or Korea ... where will they be coming from?

[Jacobin]

23. Oh HELL. I just got heartburn!!!

He wants MORE TROOPS in IraqNam????????????????????????????????????

Is he trying to be Lyndon Johnson of the 21st Century/.

Jesus fucking Christ. That's IT!!!!!!

I've had it with this guy.

(before i keel over, will someone please verify that's Kerry's position

[wuushew]

15. Two possible ways

As long as recruitment is elastic in relation to income more troops can be had by simply throwing more money at people. If base salary for a grunt was six figures I am sure there would be more Joe sixpacks wanting to sign up. I am surprised the GOP doesn't float this "free-market" approach to supplying cannon fodder.

Secondly stop loss orders may be made permanent. Those dumb enough to sign up may find that the only way out is by natural or unnatural death.

[DuctapeFatwa]

6. He says he doesn't think it is necessary "at this time"

I don't have a link, I heard him say it on one of the crusadenets

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

14. "not at this time, under these circumstances"

I remember the thread too.

[DuctapeFatwa]

18. and these circumstances could mean with bush in the WH or

once US invades Iran and Syria. America's Israeli assets can be deployed in Syria, but Iran is a large country, with a large population...

[redqueen]

9. He wants two more divisions -- he'll have to have a draft for that.

Not many are re-enlisting and nowhere near enough are signing up.


He's also said he's for drafting women.

[ulysses]

19. that's what prompted the question. n/t

[OneBlueSky]

22. I think Kerry should make it clear . . .

that he will not institute a draft should he be elected . . . that's one issue that could really sour me on him, given that I have several nephews rapidly approaching draft age . . .