[The Horrible Esthete]

There is a huge rumor going on about reinstating the draft down here..

It's almost inevitable if Bush wins. There aren't very many more National Guardsmen (Guardspersons) he can indenture. It's conceivable, although less likely, if Kerry wins, too; Congress (and the general) public may not support a quick pull-out. The war-mongers among us may not be too keen on "violence-interuptus".

This is the type of hysteria that I am trying to speak out against around here. Rest assured that the draft will not be reinsatated.

From the US Selective Service website (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.sss.gov/">http://www.sss.gov/</a><!-- m -->):

On October 5, 2004, the House of Representatives voted 402 - 2 to defeat H.R. 163, the bill cited as proof that the Selective Service was preparing to reinstate a military draft. The vote made official what has been a reality since January 7, 2003, when H.R. 163 was introduced despite nearly total opposition in Congress to restoring the draft. Without Congressional support, the draft cannot be reinstated. A similar bill languishes in the Senate.

Both President George W. Bush and Senator John F. Kerry have stated for the record that they oppose a draft. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld also has opposed the draft on numerous occasions.

[grooveless touque]

Even I doubt they'll ever bring back the draft. They just don't need it. The war in Iraq is going to be a sloppy mess, always has been, always will be. More people on the ground is more warm bodies to use as hostages and more moving targets to practice on. This is just going to remain a "long, hard slog" in Rumsfeld's words.

[The Horrible Esthete]

Even I doubt they'll ever bring back the draft. They just don't need it. The war in Iraq is going to be a sloppy mess, always has been, always will be. More people on the ground is more warm bodies to use as hostages and more moving targets to practice on. This is just going to remain a "long, hard slog" in Rumsfeld's words.

It may just be a "long, hard slog". Hopefully, much more progress will be made after the US Presidential election circus and after the January '05 Iraqi elections......

[fingernailsonhull]

Ya, you might be right. Which could explain why Gord added his own tagline Vote or be Canadian. I agree that it's referring to low voter turnout in our last election. Stupid Liberals....

Jeff

[Stephen Dame]

Ya, you might be right. Which could explain why Gord added his own tagline Vote or be Canadian. I agree that it's referring to low voter turnout in our last election. Stupid Liberals....

Jeff

Yeah... the other parties are angels.

Hey, did anybody else notice the verbal brass kuncks Bush was sportin' last night? He seemed legit pissed while answering some of his questions... I think it's good politics on his part... the third debate may just involve a three-knock-down rule.