From Governor Howard Dean, M. D.
Last week you demanded honesty about the draft--and people heard you. Cable news channels and major newspapers have been buzzing about the draft since you signed the petition. Last night's moderator at the Presidential debate even raised this question once again.
Other organizations also heard--and are following your lead. MoveOn and a group called Win Back Respect produced a TV ad about this issue. Over a million young people will see this ad on The Daily Show, MTV, and ESPN.
You can add to this momentum even more--tell some friends about the draft petition you signed:
www.democracyforamerica.com/SpreadNoDraft
We still have work to do getting our message out. The mainstream media coverage has focused on unsubstantiated rumors of some "secret plan" for a draft. They are missing the point.
It's not about a secret plan--we are concerned about a draft because, when it comes to meeting all of the military commitments he has made, George Bush has no plan.He says he will "stay the course". But if we stay the course with this president, he will face a choice: drastically reduce our commitments or reinstate the draft. Ask your friends to join you in asking which one he will choose:
www.democracyforamerica.com/SpreadNoDraft
We see the results of his failed leadership. He chose not to bring meaningful allied help into Iraq. He allowed al Qaeda, North Korea, and Iran to become more dangerous. And he has left our homeland unprotected by sending the National Guard to Iraq. George Bush says he has no plans to reinstate the draft--but his reckless decisions may leave no choice.
A quiet draft has already begun--and it is no secret. Active duty soldiers who finish their commitments are being forced to stay on. We have begun calling up forces like the Individual Ready Reserves, consisting of older reservists who have not been on active duty and have not trained for some time. And there's no end in sight.Americans need the facts. Inform your friends and ask them to sign the petition so that together we can demand the honesty we deserve.
Thank you,
Governor Howard Dean, M.D.
P.S. Here's what some of you are saying about the draft:
"As a young American who cares deeply about my country, I deserve to know if a draft will be put into effect. If not, how do you plan to fill the troop commitments necessary for success?"
--Ajay N.
"I have heard so many things over the years from politicians that have not been true that I no longer take anything for granted. I don't see how the country can continue under the present commitments of our armed forces with a complete volunteer military. If the intention is to bring back the draft I would like to know now and not after the presidential election. An informed voter is an intelligent voter."
--Charles M."Staying the course means we're going to need more troops in our go-it-alone strategy. How will we get them?"
--Carl T.
"A feasible, realistic plan needs to developed, shared with the American public and put in place to bring peace in Iraq and end American occupation of the territory. Can this be done without instituting a military draft? The American people want to know before the 2004 presidential election."
--Sharon S.
"Our forces are stretched thin and the situation in Iraq is getting worse. We will no doubt be there a long time and other troubles lurk on the horizon. Be honest with America and tell us how we are going to do this without the draft."
--Phil S.
"My wife and I have deep concerns about this issue. We've been through the Vietnam years and saw how the draft split this country in half. We don't want to have to relive our worst nightmares, not with our sons."
--Lance K.
"A straight and clear answer, please."
--Janice M.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Here is the website with the ad that was in the letter we got. I checked it out, and it appears to lead to some Clark supporters. Several ads there.
http://www.bushandthedraft.com/
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
