Sacanagem @ 104

This has all been calculated to blow up in the face of a Democratic president, so they can spend the next generation blaming him/her for “losing” Iraq.

Do you ever read a blog called “The Cunning Realist”? This is what he says about that, “Whoever sits in the Oval Office on Inauguration Day 2009 is going to own Iraq just as Nixon owned Vietnam after 1968. To be sure, the extent of that ownership — in both the public’s mind and the history books — will depend on what happens in Iraq after 2008. But those hoping for a dramatic change in policy may be disappointed. Occupations tend to be self-perpetuating. And remember, Nixon had huge anti-Communist credibility but still felt compelled to prove his toughness once in office. If Hillary wins, will she have any less to prove as a Democrat and a woman?”

If we want to get out of Iraq we had better elect someone who is strong enough to face down those monsters and say, “Enough.” Is that Hillary “Goldwater girl” Clinton, Barack “Osama” Obama or maybe John Edwards?

I pick Edwards.

How many dead would you say is enough if it’s to protect America? 1, 10, 100, 1000, 10000, 1,000,000, 10,000,000,000?

At what point do you say you won’t give any more lives?

At what point can you stand to be called ‘traitor’ or ‘coward’ and you won’t flinch?

Besides, the movie is fun entertainment.

Seems to me with a volunteer army you need to have people who are willing to serve.

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At some point the domestic situation will take such a heavy hit that the lazy Americans will drag themselves away from teevee and get their pots and pans and scream … “enough is enough”.

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We have the internet and anyone who can click a mouse can find the facts. What gives?

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Maybe the stock market will crash and wake up the people… Something has to.

If there’s any silver lining to the Bush administration maybe it’s that his craziness will eventually touch enough people that they will be stirred from their slumbers and stand up and say “Doh”. If, however, they just sleep we get fascism and deserve it.

raven @ 155

For me, mandatory uni-fucking-versal service with military or other kind of service in this country would be a step in the right direction. What we have now is a bunch of whiny ass people who don’t have any investment in anything except their god-given right to go to the mall.

I’m good with this. Let everyone, no exceptions, roll up their sleeves and get to work. How about letting high school grads help rebuild our infrastructure? Clean up our streets? Mentor the kids with no one at home? I’m with you here, let’s get all these kids in touch with what it takes to run this country. Off the couch, into the streets. As long as we’re not talking about mandatory military, you’ve got no argument from me.

Alas, neva haapen but that’ what we think!

Under The LobsterScope

[Mod Note; Edited for length.]

For me, mandatory uni-fucking-versal service with military or other kind of service in this country would be a step in the right direction. What we have now is a bunch of whiny ass people who don’t have any investment in anything except their god-given right to go to the mall.

I’m good with this. Let everyone, no exceptions, roll up their sleeves and get to work. How about letting high school grads help rebuild our infrastructure? Clean up our streets? Mentor the kids with no one at home? I’m with you here, let’s get all these kids in touch with what it takes to run this country. Off the couch, into the streets. As long as we’re not talking about mandatory military, you’ve got no argument from me.

Scarecrow @ 94

I’m really looking forward to those robots being able to tell the difference between a loyal vs disloyal, militant versus peaceful, pro-American vs anti-American Shia, Sunni, Kurd or that minority sect that got blown up yesterday. Some robot. War will be so much easier. Do you understand how insane this sounds? And how insane it is to talk about a 30-100 year war? Or to think it would be a good thing?

I don’t think you’ve ever been in a war.

I believe it was called the Crusades the last time. What should we call it this time (and for the next thousand years or so)? You know, some folks say they have read history, but clearly have not learned from it.

We shall call it the Triumph of the West. Western technology with the infrastructure of intelligence gathering combined with the warfighting abilities of the electonrically enhanced soldier will finally Triumph the West over the forces that started in Parthia and Arabia but shall be finally extinguished by the USA and the West.

amen

brendan @ 110

Joe Klein @106:

“If the draft is indeed what gets people out on the streets, I am all for it. The one thing I fear is death in the streets. I don’t think police these days will be too kind in breaking up the protests.”

I can’t overstate how perverse this reasoning is. Right, once they start drafting our kids, then we’ll really have them where we want them…

Brendan:
I know it is not logical, but what else is gonna end our participation in the mess that is Iraq? Do you really think Hillary will? She’s as beholden to the military-industrial complex as the Decider. Who do you think funds Brookings(home of Pollack and O’Hanlon)? Who is one of Hillary’s biggest backers?

Using the draft as a political tool sucks. You are using people, and people’s lives as a political tool. Isn’t that the kind of political calculation that makes us despise chimp?

This topic makes my blood boil, and here’s why. A draft is a poor man’s army. Bullshit the rich and priveleged won’t get deferments. And everyone calling for the draft? Are you personally willing to go and fight, to achieve your political ends? If you are not PERSONALLY willing to be drafted, or to pack your son or daughter off, then back off.