ABC Blotter: Is the Next Step a Draft?

[sabra]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/08/is_the_next_ste.html

Is the Next Step a Draft?

An Iraq War veterans group says the call-up of thousands of Marines from the Individual Ready Reserve, announced by the Pentagon today, is "one of the last steps before resorting to a draft."

"This move should serve as a wake-up call to America," said Jon Soltz, an Army captain who served in Iraq and heads the group VoteVets.org, which raises funds for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans running for Congress. "Today's announcement that thousands of Marines in the Individual Ready Reserve will be called back to go to Iraq is proof that our military is overextended, and there is no plan for victory in Iraq."

While the Pentagon has repeatedly maintained the armed forces have met their recruiting and retention goals, Soltz says, "Today's actions speak louder than words."

...

The IRR are reservists, who have returned to civilian life, don't drill on a regular basis and prior to the Iraq war were rarely called to active duty. The Army has been dipping into their IRR pool since shortly after the beginning of the war, but today the Marine Corps said they also planned to call thousands of these traditionally last resort troops back to active duty.

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. The next step is impeachment, and then replace Bush with a

Democratic president who doesn't get a hard-on for a continued war in Iraq. That metaphor does not exclude Hillary Clinton.

[warrens]

7. If they try to institute a draft

There will be a massive revolt in the U.S. I was canvassing for Tammy Duckworth in Illinois over the weekend, and I had several people ask me about the draft. You never see anything about it in the press, but there's a lot of free-floating anxiety out there. I have a teenager; we were in Montreal last month, and I specifically took her for a tour of McGill, just in case.

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. If there is anxiety out there, we'll win in '08 with a two punch strategy:

(1) First, prove that Bush's war choice was more of a boondoggle for the petrol companies and that it's made us less safe, not more.

(2) Promise to work with our allies using the jaw, jaw approach and that we have more to gain by patching up the damaged relationships with our allies that Bush and the GOP have caused us. We are, afterall, desiring good business relationships abroad, unless the only business we're interested in is the military-industrial one.

[tbyg52]

40. Then I almost wish they would

because we *need* a massive revolt.

[Initech]

38. Or at the very least, a competent president.

[bluestateguy]

2. I no longer believe there will be a draft

There is not the political capital for the White House to expend on this divisive issue.

People don't support this war anymore, but the American people are not active or vocal in their opposition because there is no conscription forcing anyone to go off to war. A draft would change all that and provide unlimited fuel for the anti-war movement. Hence the American people's opposition to the war is a very quiet, passive opposition, and the Bush Team would like to keep it that way.

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. Just in case, start planning now

FAQ on CO status

http://www.serv.net/~techbear/writings/FAQ-CO.html

[RaleighNCDUer]

15. Just wait for the new, new Pearl Harbor.

We can't attack Iran without it.

If he had re-instituted the draft in October '01, there would have hardly been a murmur against it. Don't think it can't be that way again - they control the media, the agenda, and all that free-floating anxiety is just waiting to be channelled by these snakes.

[TahitiNut]

24. Yup.

'Xactly.

[bryant69]

3. This is something we should be saying constantly

If the Republicans hold onto the house and senate there will be a draft so your kids can be sent to Iran.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[SammyWinstonJack]

18. Oh! I like that! That would get the masses stirred up against the

republiCONS for sure! Even if it isn't true, we should be saying exactly that. They don't mind saying how if Democrats are in control that we will cut and run, that we will de fund the GWOT, etc. All of which is not true, but still they repeat it over and over and over.

[Lowell]

4. Reinstating the Draft

would be the quickest way to bring a halt to the Neocons plans for endless wars. It would wake every one up and mobilize the public to openly seek an end to this situation in the ME. But I really don't think the repugs will start up a new draft. They know it would be the death knell of the repug party and will just drag this out until the democrats inherit the mess and bring an end to it.

[Raffi Ella]

36. Exactly.

The draft is what got people in the streets during Vietnam.The republicans are cutting college funding,scholarships and grants and instead giving new military recruits "incentives" ie money to sign up for the military.
It is essentially a draft without having to call it that;Kids who can't afford college don't have many alternatives and so the military looks like the only alternative and with a sign up bonus Hey!Looks even better!!

[sui generis]

6. a recall IS a veteran draft.

I supposed selective service draft followed by full draft are the next steps.

Unfortunately all those drafted kids soldiering around Iraq and Syria and wherever won't be earning and consumering here, which makes it kind of hard to pay the increased military headcount with reduced civilian wage spending and tax revenue.

A better idea would be to send all the retired boomers to Iraq as cannon fodder so the fed won't have to pay their social security . . . :evilgrin: just trying to think like a republican.

[Blackhatjack]

11. You Are So Right! Vet Draft is Involuntary, Civilian Draft Next unless..

...some of our Washington representatives grow a backbone and prevent it from happening.

I have read that up to 40,000 troops have deserted, enlistment age raised to age 42, and now individual ready reserve call up to fill 1,200 slots needed to deploy fully manned units to Iraq.

It is a short step to a civilian draft from here, especially if we engage Iran in fighting.
I find it hard to believe that the Selective Service Board spent millions to bring every local draft board up to full function status, every draft board position filled, just to be ready with no intention to use it.

Actions speak louder than words, and past history is the road sign to future events.

[elocs]

27. How do they decide which vets get recalled? n/m

[sui generis]

32. I imagine it depends on your skills and age

Supply and logistics are more easily filled by older experienced veterans, provided they are still subject to recall. Different branches of the reserves have different contractual obligations as far as I remember.

Pilots, infantry, med staff, and specialized combat are probably in order too.

U.S.D.A. DOT quartermaster household goods relo experts, you're probably safe.

Just the same, it IS a draft. I would just keep calling it a veteran draft.

[Junkdrawer]

9. First the next "terra" attack, THEN the draft. n/t

[WinkyDink]

10. Let's see how THAT would play with the Peoria Soccer-Moms

and NASCAR Dads.

[robcon]

12. I don't think there's any support for a draft.

It would be suicide for politicians to "draft" a bill instituting the draft.

[tbyg52]

41. How else they gonna

get enough troops for Iran? They don't have enough for the messes they've got us in now.

[ms liberty]

13. I almost - repeat: ALMOST - wish they would institute a draft...

because it's the one thing that would bring the criminals in this admin to a complete, screeching halt. 90% of the young people in this country would be in the streets protesting, and so would their parents and grandparents. It's the one difference between this illegal war and Viet Nam, and it's the one thing that will impact the morans who still support the Decider.

For all the parents out there, I don't want your kids to be drafted. I don't want them forced to serve. But I do want something to happen that will shake the complacent out of their apathy and comfort zone. A draft - even serious talk of a draft - would probably do it.

Unfortunately, if they do it, it would be AFTER the Nov elections, not before.

[catmandu57]

14. Remember lil georgie* told us during the debates

and I quote "There aint going to be any draft". I say we hold the bastard to his word, since we know how much he doesn't like admitting he's wrong.
I can see a draft coming, first there is stop loss, tours extended, tours on top of tours, call up of reserves, then in for the duration, then d.r.a.f.t.

[no_hypocrisy]

16. There will be. Provided republicans still control the House & Senate,

the day after Election Day. Get your calendars out now.

[sarge43]

19. That's the trip wire - who controls either branch of Congress

January 2007.

However, if they do activate the draft, does anyone here honestly believe that Jebby's or Neil's brats will be tapped? If that's possible, this press ganging will be even more corrupt than Nam's.

By the way, in case everyone's forgotten, the draft didn't save our hindquarters in Nam and it won't in Iraq. But hey, when has doing the stupid and futile ever stopped us before?

[Tesha]

25. By definition, Republicans *STILL WILL* control the day after elections.

By definition, Republicans *STILL WILL* control the government the
day after elections.

Win or lose, the government doesn't change hands until January, 2007.

I wonder what damage they will do between the election and the end of
their terms?

Tesha

[mainer]

17. last year, a Marine bragged to me that they have "no recruitment problems"

He said that all the talk about "not enough soldiers" was just the liberal media trying to make the military look like it's in trouble. He said the Marines were in great shape, with more recruits than they can handle. I guess he was wrong.

[4bucksagallon]

20. If there is a draft we'll have to close the Canadian border first .......

to prevent the repubs kids from fleeing. But wait here is a golden opportunity to get some use out of the illegal aliens, sign them up with the promise that if they survive they MAY be on the path to becoming a citizen. May is the key word. After reading the responses I guess we'll have to prevent the dems kids from fleeing too. We're all in this together......either you're with us or you're with the terrorists:sarcasm:

[mainegreen]

23. Welcome to DU fellow mainer!

:hi:

[4bucksagallon]

29. Thanks!

[ryanus]

21. Steps to draft

1. Regular army has extra-long deployments.
2. Regular army has quick redeployments
3. Reserve and Guard units called up for long deployments
4. Reserve and Guard units have quick redeployments
5. Signing bonuses go really high.
6. Stop loss put in place so soldiers aren't discharge at their expected discharge date
7. Enlistment requirements greatly relaxed (age limit goes up, fitness requirements go down, etc.)
8. Inactive Guard members get called up (these are people who are still in the National Guard but status is Inactive)
9. Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) members get called up (these are people who are out of the Guard and Reserve but their military contracts have not expired so they do not have a complete discharge yet)
10. Retired military called up after they have been discharged (more likely to happen for officers)
11. Selective draft of people with skills critical for the war effort
12. General draft with many exceptions for school, family, health, etc.
13. General draft with hardly any exceptions.

These could vary, it's just my list. It officially gets scary to me at step 11, because that's when people must be forced to join. At all other steps, people had volunteered, at least at some point.

I think we are on step 8.

[sarge43]

28. Just for the record re #10, retired military aren't discharged

We're technically inactive reserve status; we can be recalled to AD until death do us part and selected retirees have already been recalled.

[Ioo]

22. God I HOPE SO!

Nothing will stop this war, stop this administration, and stop the GOP like a draft. For the first time on years the rebstates will start to see that their vote has lead us here.

Until these dumb-asses have some skin in the fight, they will never care

[Dems Will Win]

26. This is Dems Will Win, DU's resident Draft EXPERT

A draft is a very real possibility. The only reason we don't have one now is because 100,000 to 200,000 mercenaries were hired and are guarding and providing security and even intelligence interrogations to the Army in Iraq.

Without those 200,000 mercenaries, many from other countries, we would have already been in a draft.

This would not be your grandfather's draft. A Special Skills draft would be called at the same time and everyone under the age of 35 would have to register with Selective Service within 30 days and tell the DoD what your list of skills are (and they will check your tax return to verify).

They will first draft in a Skills Draft (rough priority)

Nurses and doctors (36,000 in a separate Medical Draft)
Truckdrivers
Mechanics
Computer network specialists
Computer programmers
Cooks
Musicians
and it goes from there...

VOTE REPUBLICAN IN '06 AND SEND YOUR KID TO IRAN!

Are there any questions out there about the draft? I can answer ANYTHING.

[meldroc]

37. That makes me potentially draftable.

I'm 33, and a software engineer. The one thing that may save me from enlistment is my club feet (several surgeries, noticable limp.) I'm guessing that if I get a draft notice, I'll show up at the induction center, get my physical, and the doctor will still say "Sorry son, we can't use you." Is that going to be the case, or will they say "Even though you have a disability, you still have useful skills, you're going."

[Dems Will Win]

39. Listen to me very carefully. Everybody.

If Bush does call a Special Skills Draft, some have said to resist by not registering. Especially YOU because if you make it to 36 and are not yet drafted you're safe.

They will ask you to go to the post office, fill out the form and basically turn yourself in to the draft office.

[meldroc]

42. Interesting...

What's the likelyhood of getting caught not registering? You did mention that Selective Service would be looking at people's tax returns.

Also, I've been hearing rumors that draft resisters would no longer be able to escape to Canada - they would get extradicted right back to the U.S. Are there other countries that would provide asylum to draft resisters?

Also, what's the penalty for resisting the draft if you are caught? Several years in prison?

[RedEarth]

30. Careful...this might freak out the wingnuts........

....get their chickhawk ass in the military....that would shut them up in a hurry.

[Yavin4]

31. If There's A Draft, Forget "Cut and Run"

It'll be "Haul Ass Out Of Iraq Now!"

[noonwitch]

33. No draft of the at-large population before November

That will cost the majority in both houses. People don't mind wars until their own kids get forced to participate.

[newspeak]

34. no, no cause I clearly heard are glorious leader

state "we will not have an all volunteer military" ummmm "I mean we will have an all volunteer military." Doncha y'all remember? He said that publicly to his fawning sycophants-of course, they had to correct him when he accidentally said "we will not have", but y'all know what he was thinking, unfortunately, the clueless ones, did not.

[never cry wolf]

35. I wonder if any of our Dem vets running for congress are in the IRR?

I wouldn't put it past those snakes to use any means to keep control of congress.