A “Limited” Military Draft
by Ian Mosley
Why is it that only foreign newspapers and web sites these days seem to be reporting anything interesting? The UK news site First Post reports that “Iraq is so far from a conclusion that the US may have to bring in a draft. The US is considering introducing a limited military draft if it is to keep its present force levels in Iraq and Afghanistan, Pentagon advisers have warned British colleagues.” Now, this isn’t unexpected. It’s been clear for years that America simply DOESN’T HAVE THE TROOPS to maintain this far-flung petroleum empire Bush and the neocons have embarked upon. But why do we have to rely on a British news source for us to hear this? This ought to be front page in every American newspaper and the topic of discussion of every talking head show on cable. Instead all we’re seeing is Paris Hilton crying her eyes out as she goes to jail.
First Post goes on: “Next month, US forces in Iraq will peak at around 170,000, and GIs in the new units are being told they could be on operations for at least 15 months.” So much for the “temporary surge.” I think we all knew Bush was lying when he said those extra troops would be over there for only a few months, but still, it’s enraging to have it confirmed and for no one to even so much as notice it, they’re all so glued to American Idol and the NBA playoffs.
The article goes on: “Over Memorial Day weekend, Americans have been faced by the grim statistic that in the year since the last Memorial Day, very nearly 1,000 US military have been killed in Iraq, and many more wounded. These are the worst casualty rates since the coalition invaded Iraq in March 2003… British Army chiefs are mulling over a new report that reservists, mainly from the Territorial Army, are suffering combat stress worse than regulars because of lack of attention when they return home. Commanders are concerned by the high rate of young officers applying for voluntary redundancy when they return from Iraq and Afghanistan; in some frontline infantry battalions the rate of officers applying for early retirement is as high as 17 per cent.” (more…)