Murtha says draft would ease military's burden

[sabra]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — A military draft would ease the burden placed on soldiers and their families, Rep. John Murtha, a leading Democratic critic of the Iraq war, said Tuesday.

Murtha said he's not calling for a draft and believes it won't be reinstated. But he said he thinks there should be a draft when the United States is fighting in a major war.

"A draft is the fairest way — if we're going to fight a war — to fight it, because everybody has responsibility," Murtha, echoing comments he made last week to CNN, said in a phone interview from his district in western Pennsylvania. "Everybody should share in this responsibility. Everybody should have the chance to serve."

Currently, "only the people who volunteered are serving and paying a high price," he said.

Read more: http://www.pennlive.com/newsflash/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-48/1175631275116820.xml&storylist=penn

[HereSince1628]

1. For SURE! It'd end the Iraq occupation in months. nt

[Occulus]

2. As long as I'm exempt.

Having been told for even before my adult life began that I'm a "threat to unit cohesion"- and given the very recent comments made by Gen. Pace- I don't see why anyone should have a problem with that.

[HereSince1628]

4. University campuses would erupt and the disturbances would spread to streets

nearby, and then it'd be a 2 million draft-age march on the Mall in DC.

I doubt if there'd be time to get anyone through 16 weeks of basic and infantry training before the war would be forced to an end.

[rebel with a cause]

26. and with two democrats being the ones to suggest it

another republican would be elected president in 2008 even though it was this stupid right wing administration that started this stupid war. :growl:

I don't want the democrats blamed for the draft!

[SilentService]

55. I doubt it

I served for 8 yrs + 2 reserve.

Oh yea ... I lived through the first Gulf War. Was I scared? you bet and my mother was a wreck. In the end we liberated Kuwait.

Thats the problem with the country today ... most people think like you are like you ,,, they want to wrap their kids in a plastic bubble ... and let someone else's kid deal with it.

2 years mandatory service or no student loans - I think you wouldn't see that 2 million marching anywhere except in combat boots.

[AndyTiedye]

48. The Vietnam War Went On (With a Draft) for over 10 Years

It ended shortly after the draft did.

[PittPoliSci]

3. i also think that we should have a war time tax structure...

you know...then one where the upper 1% of the country pay about 80% income tax.

well, i think they should probably pay that much anyway...

[TheBaldyMan]

5. that and the draft are about four years too late

the troops should come home, then Bush can have a progressive tax regime to pay for, equip and train a huge conscript army. Then and only then he can talk about going back to the Near and Middle East.

[kimmerspixelated]

9. I'm sorry,

I think we should STAY out of other country's business , now and forever!

[TheBaldyMan]

13. maybe it's because I'm British, I think if you are going to invade somewhere

at least do it properly.

Overwhelming force followed by a military administration then a final retreat in recognition of the futility of imperial colonial ambition.

Tried and tested by Britain over the centuries. Always with exactly the same outcome. It was so successful we invaded Afghanistan in the 1840s, 1870s and just after WWI. Expectation of a repeat with the current occupation is high. That's why 'Khyber Pass' is immortalised in cockney rhyming slang.

[w4rma]

27. lol

:evilgrin::spray:

[Megahurtz]

24. Here! Here!

:applause:

[AnneD]

6. The DEM'S will be blamed....

but our military has been abused beyond belief. War does not come without sacrifice. Time to do away with the tax cuts and start the draft. This folks on the hill won't get the lead out.

[Zhade]

32. Um - illegal wars like this are not needed.

So FUCK the draft.

[AnneD]

44. If there were a no exclusion for the children of the wealthy....

and an increased tax on the wealthy to fund the war.....maybe these folks would think twice before starting a war. With the volunteer plan, it is only the poor and middle class that fight. This may be an unpopular thought but I feel everyone owes two years of service to this country. And before I get flamed as a hypocrite-I did a total of almost 10 years in AR and IRR.

If you are a documented pacifist, fine, you can work in the military still as medic or non combatant position. But just knowing you will be sending your kid to war is enough to make folks think before they draw a sword. As of now, the folks in charge and most of America have not sacrifice. War is more than TV programing and there is more to supporting troops than putting a magnetic sticker on your car.

I came of age in the VN war. I marched against it. I thought the volunteer army was a good idea, but now that I have seen how it has been abused, I am in support of a draft. It seems crazy I know but I hope a strict draft could prevent a war. Will it completely, probably not, but if you have been through military service, you tend to want peace first-ask most vets.

[bluestateguy]

7. This Administration would never administer a draft fairly

I reject the logic that says you have to give more powers to the Bush Administration--which is what a draft would do--to end the war.

[Sequoia]

8. What a load of crap. I sure didn't vote for a war.

Draft the Bush girls, it's their dad's war. Of course, they'd have some little cushy job in an AC office anyway.

[Cha]

17. bush girls first for

a draft.

[SilentService]

56. hmm

You dont get to "vote" for a war.

[Solly Mack]

10. I seriously doubt any draft in America, regardless of anyone's good intentions,

would include the children of the connected. They'd find a way out for their child and, in the doing, someone else would have to go in their place. Someone is always having to go in their place.

America is not a country where such sacrifices are shared equally.

America isn't a country where the sons and daughters of the connected are willing to make those sacrifices either.

and before some knee-jerk response comes along



I did not attack Murtha in any way - not size, not shape, not form - nor fashion - and any suggestion that I did is nothing but talking out the ass delusional clap-trap.

I am saying that regardless of how any draft resolution would be worded, the connected will get out of it.

The same people, as always, will be the ones that pay the price for a draft.

And before anyone mentions Kennedy or Poppy Bush ...the exceptions are called the exception for a reason...low and behold, it's because they are the exceptions. If such actions were commonplace you wouldn't be able to name them so easily.

[Zhade]

33. Anyone who supports the draft should go sign up, instead of gambling with MY life.

NT!

[Solly Mack]

43. and for a war of lies at that

in a war for lies, a single sacrifice is one sacrifice too many

Nothing America is doing right now is in any way securing our freedom. Just the opposite.

Fat cats are getting richer - and everyone else is doing the dying so they can

[youngdem]

11. FUCK THAT! How's about we just stop fighting illegal wars?

I don't think we will ever have trouble fielding a volunteer army SO LONG AS THE CAUSE IS JUST!

The problem everyone (including some DEMS for some reason) seems to be trying to go around is that NO ONE really wants to fight this war, except those not holding the guns (and who NEVER have).

I am really sick of these Machiavellian tactics by Rangel and now Murtha. How's about you men focus on getting us the FUCK out of Iraq instead of trying to figure out how to keep the fodder in the cannon loaded.

:argh: :grr:

[arewenotdemo]

15. Absolutely! What a dumb fucking statement by Murtha.

Does he want an exodus of blue votes to Canada?

[Zhade]

34. THANK you. No justified wars since WWII, and they want a draft?

Fuck that.

[Mend]

12. Not one single person should be forced into war without direct

representation in our government. This bozzo lied about going to war and congress went along with it. I don't think sooooo. If you want people to fight, you had better restructure just how and where and when we declare war and the new plan better contain consent of the people.

[Zhade]

35. "No mutilation without representation!"

A draft is slavery.

[superconnected]

14. So he wants to take people who haven't voluntered?

"Currently, "only the people who volunteered are serving and paying a high price," he said."

fuck him.

I have no problem with someone voluntering to walk around with a gun and shoot people, dying by, well, getting shot. They voluntered to do the war. I'm for them being able to get out the minute they want though.

I do have a problem when it's someone who wouldnt dream of signing up for that, getting drafted and being made to shoot at people, as well as getting shot. It's not the same at all, as doing it to someone that wants to carry the gun for (gulp) patriot reasons or whatever else they tell themselves.

His argument makes no sense because relieving the burdon on the dumbasses who signed up only places the burdon on others who weren't dumb enough.

That is not relieving any burden. All burden is still there.

[qwlauren35]

19. No, they didn't volunteer to "do the war".

Most people didn't see this war coming. Truly. Large numbers of military aren't there because they volunteered to fight in Iraq.

Personally, I would support a draft, because I'm convinced that it would prevent us from getting into a fair amount of military action.

Moreover, I'm in favor of mandatory conscription, because I think all Americans should be required to put in a year or two of public service to some national corps, military or comparable, during their youth. It would do a LOT of good things for us, if it worked right...

[superconnected]

21. At this point, people joining today, are volunteering to fight in iraq

It's what it means if they sign up right now.

I've seen many the last few years who act surprised that they got sent there, but for some reason, I'm never surprised.

Are you?

I'm absolutely against mandatory service. Actually I'm against people who would put that on everyones else too. Your beliefs should not affect me or my family. So I can only hope they don't come to pass. It's exactly what I don't like about republicans - pushing their beliefs on everyone else.

I figure the ones who want to join, can. And to hades for everyone who wants to force the people who don't want to do it, into it.

[TwilightGardener]

23. I would support a draft as well. I know this website tends to run

somewhat antagonistic to the military (look at all the snide threads and comments about how so-and-so's teenager got a recruiting letter, etc.)--but as an active-duty military wife, I feel strongly that sacrifice is most effective when shared--then everyone has a stake, everyone appreciates just what it really means to leave your loved ones, and possibly fight and die for a president's policy. Not saying that I want Iraq to continue with draftees--I want it to end. And I know that draftees tend to come from the socioeconomic lower classes and that they tend to be unmotivated/lack discipline (because, frankly, they don't want to be there!). It's not a great solution, but it sure as hell would make people think twice for whom they vote, and how foreign policy shapes our lives.

[Zhade]

36. We haven't fought a legit war since WWII. People need to crack some books.

NT!

[lumpy]

16. The 'war in Iraq' was not a war. It was an invasion designed

to topple the leadership of a sovereign country. If anything it was a politico/economic war of aggression against a country who, it has been well proved, was not a threat to the US,the UK or any other nation.

[Zhade]

37. Funny how so many Dems echo the lie, eh?

NT!

[sarge43]

18. Oh right.

Just like the draft during Nam ensured everybody shared in the responsibility and ensured the burden was eased. Jeebus sir, you were on active duty and in that hell hole; you don't remember what a FUBAR the military turned into during and afterward?!

What the draft did do is ensure that horror went on far longer than it should have and, by the way, damn near tore this country to pieces.

[AndyTiedye]

20. NO WAY!! A Draft Would Just Provide ** With Cannon Fodder to Invade Iran & Wherever Else He Wants

Democrats would get the blame, and we'd be run out of Congress, so there would be nobody left to oppose the Repiglican War Machine.

[ohio2007]

22. a draft will take YEARS to plan out in a bill.

The next president can veto a draft bill if both houses pass it...or....the next president can go along if it is buried in a pork filled bill.

phatt chance that will go by under the radar.

[AndyTiedye]

49. They Can Have The Draft Up and Running in 90 Days

This was extensively discussed a couple of years ago on DU.

[ohio2007]

53. won't happen with the dems in the majority

why should they ?

[AndyTiedye]

54. I Certainly Hope They Don't

[SilentService]

57. nope

They already have the info they need to institute it quickly.

Everyone has to register with the selective service at 17 (I think).

[Supersedeas]

45. the volunteer forces are being stretched thinner and thinner and thinner

[AndyTiedye]

47. Of Course They Are. ** Wants a Draft, But Wants to Make The Democrats Pay the Political Price

A draft with Democratic fingerprints on it (ANY Democratic fingerprints) would ensure a Repiglican sweep next year and probably for years to come.

[Megahurtz]

25. What The HELL Is With Murtha

to even say something like this???:wtf:

[Evergreen Emerald]

28. I will not give over my child

for Bush to use her life without any regard.

[happyslug]

29. People Remember MURTHA wants us out of Iraq.

All he said was if the US is in a War, a Draft should be used TO MAKE SURE THE PAIN OF FIGHTING THE WAR IS SHARED EQUALLY. Given that a Draft would have to have popular Support to be effective, Murtha is basically saying any war HAS TO BE SUPPORTED BY THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS to be fought for any length of time. You can NOT fight a Major war without the Draft, and you can not Draft unless the War has popular support. Thus Murtha is FIGHTING to end this war for it will lead to the destruction of the US Military as it has been formed since the end of the Draft in 1972.

Murtha is pro-military but he is seeing it be destroyed for the Second time in his life-time by Politicians who forced the US into a war that the American people did not want. This lead to the destruction of the Draftee Army in the period between 1968 and 1972 and now is leading to the destruction of the Volunteer Army. The army is being destroyed for the War the Army is fighting has no support among the people and thus no support among the Troops.

[TwilightGardener]

30. Well said--our all-volunteer force is being severely strained

and the separation of ordinary Americans from the military keeps people from being invested in how it's used. Murtha knows what he's doing. His talk won't culminate in the draft, but it will let folks know what's at stake by continuing this war indefinitely.

[AndyTiedye]

50. Opposition to the War is Already At The Same Levels as Vietnam

Opposition to the war is running around 2-1 in polls.
There have been many protests, some bigger than anything during the Vietnam war.
We have taken over both houses of Congress due to opposition to the war.

I don't know how you can say that people don't care about the war.

[Zhade]

31. No. Just. FUCKING. NO!

NT!

[juno jones]

38. I will take my son out of this country before

I EVER see him drafted to fight a war that is not legal or nescessary. I made a considered choice to have him in the first place. Like hell I'll let these bastards use him for cannon fodder. And so many of them claim to be 'pro-life'.

[Akoto]

39. Military service is not the only worthy service.

There are many ways to serve the country without picking up a gun.

[HughBeaumont]

40. The funny thing about fishing is that it never works out so well for the bait.

I mean, say a draft gets enacted. What do pro-drafters expect or want to happen? Chaos? Riots? More importantly, DO you expect the Failure Fuhrer and the Chickenhawk Gang to listen?

He DOES NOT CARE. THEY do not care. Does it need to be repeated?

Nor will a storming of DC happen, because the result will be just as bad as a war itself. The police and Blackguard military WOULD fire on their own citizens, because don't think for one SECOND they aren't assigned to protect the interests of the "betters" before that little myth of "defending the Constitiution". It's what every soldier signs up for and is supposed to do, but as this war and others before it have proven in the last half century, becomes hogwash once you get warmongers and profit facilitators like Reagan and the Bewshes in office.

The military is supposed to defend our country and our Constitution. Yet under Repuke presidents, they become corporate mercenaries doing the bidding of KBR, Halliburton and Exxon/Mobil.

No, what's going to happen is not a choice of "peace corps", "feeding the poor", VA hospitals, etc, etc. There will be no non-combat option for the millions that will be subjected to this madness (never mind the lingering question of how this is going to be funded or the lingering fact that the betters and their spawn STILL will never see hour ONE of a boot camp).

Your kids, my kid and millions of other children will be forced at gunpoint into boot camps all across the country. Then, should they survive that, they will be spilling their blood in the sand in pre-emptive aggressive attacks ALL over the Middle East and Western Asia. Thousands upon thousands of lives will be butchered, World War Fucking Three will be started, and the "draft-away" people's little "point" just fell flat on it's collective face.

Wow, now THAT'S democracy. Aren't you glad you had that "skin in da game"? Wasn't that much more satisfying than supposedly sitting on your asses and doing nothing?

Oh wait. They can't answer, nor can they help build our nation back . . . because they're dead.

What an absolutely sad and appalling mindset this is.

Count me OUT of that insanity. Gambling with other people's lives and forced servitude is going to lead to nothing but an economically and morally ruined nation. If anything, it's going to make people (including it's own citizens) HATE our country more rather than be proud we have a stake in it.

Let's talk peace and ending America's fucked-up over-addiction to militarism. Lets learn the lessons of Japan and see where militarism and warmongering got them.

[cliss]

41. I have 3 very nice looking teenage Boys..

Healthy, able to take orders and carry a gun.

Does anybody really believe I'm going to let them be Cannon Fodder for Cheney's War for Oil Profits?

The day they have a draft, is the day we're leaving....
For Madagascar, the South Pole, wherever.

[NormanYorkstein]

42. Murtha is usually right, and he is here too

in theory he's 100% right. But we need to avoid a draft and war as much as possible.

[lovuian]

52. if they go to war with Iran and institute the draft

I guarantee kids will be flying over the borders to avoid the draft
and we all know crossing the borders is easy

[SilentService]

58. no suprise

No suprise there with today's youth.

[lumberjack_jeff]

46. So would ending the war. I guess this hasn't occured to anyone yet. n/t

[lovuian]

51. Murtha NOT gonna happen

We need out of Iraq that will solve it

[classysassy]

59. Benefits without responsibility

All citizens are responsible for the safety of their country.Why is it so,the rich keep their buns out of harms way,while some poor person,kills or die for them? Thats not right.