Reply #9: Which harkens back to my point

[gratuitous]

Either the war in Iraq is worth fighting or it isn't. Now, of course, I'm on the "not" side of that question. But let's say that it is worth fighting. Why isn't this administration serious about fighting the war, then?

For evidence that they're not serious, I point to the fact that the military is making do with more and more low-aptitude recruits and meeting their recruitment quotas by dropping the bar lower and lower. If this war is worth fighting, why aren't we getting the best and the brightest recruits? Folks who can learn the finer points of waging war and apply them?

If the Bushistas were serious about fighting this war in Iraq, they'd bring back the draft. George W. Bush wouldn't let a day go by without mentioning in a speech or a public appearance or a photo op just how much the United States is depending on everyone not just to get behind the war in Iraq, but to sacrifice for it. Pungle up some more tax dollars. Get your sons and your daughters into the military. Apply for jobs at the local defense plant, and work for shit wages to equip the American wehrmacht.

Instead, George does nothing of the sort. Nobody's been asked to sacrifice jack shit for the cause of Iraq. Nobody's taxes have been raised (though a lot of budget items have been cut). George isn't taking Jenna and Bar Jr. down to the recruiting office to get them signed up. And every military officer allowed to speak on the subject talks in terms of years when timetables are mentioned. That is, if they don't skedaddle out of the room like they have a bad case of the green apple quickstep.

Folks getting antsy to "win" the war in Iraq? Then demand it from your elected representatives. Who's on record as introducing draft legislation? Who's sent their own kids over to Iraq? Who makes speeches urging other people's kids to go into the military? And who is sending their kids into the service? Nearly 60 million people allegedly voted for George W. Bush just a little over a year ago. Let's see some of them and their family members on troop transports headed for Iraq.

No? Nobody wants to do any of that? Sacrifice is for other people? Then shut up about "winning" a war that you don't support.