question for the rangel handwringers

[onenote]

If rangel's raising the draft issue (and not for the first time I might add) is guaranteed to be such a disaster for the Democratic party (despite the fact that leadership has indicated that they don't intend to put the issue on the legislative agenda), why is it that the repubs have been so quiet about it. If this was the "killer issue" that so many here swear it is, you would think Fox News would be playing it to the hilt. But check the archives and their usual gang of idiots, O'liely, gibson etc. have stayed away. Check the RNC website...not a word.

I, for one, am not surprised. Rangel and Pelosi have brilliantly cornered the repubs. Rangel has, by raising the issue, reminded everyone that the burden of this war of choice (or any future war of choice) will not be borne by everyone in the country. And Pelosi has taken it off the table. The repubs can't attack Pelosi unless they want to be seen as supporting a draft. And they can't attack Rangel unless they want to be seen by their own heartland supporters as saying that the sacrifices that many of them have made in this war shouldn't be shared by others.

[iamjoy]

1. Interesting Juxtaposition

OF this coming out the same day McCain said we needed MORE troops in Iraq was pricelss.

Truthfully, I'm suprised it didn't cause a huge outcry & get him attacked by Repubs. But even the MSM seems to recognize this was a strategic move to draw attention to the stupidity of the war.

[MindMatter]

9. Maybe that is part of the Good cop, bad cop strategy

If McCain and his ilk want to talk about raising the stakes, then that buildup strategy can be linked to the draft. The Dems would be in a position of saying, "If we must commit more troops, then we will do it the only fair way -- by having a shared sacrifice. We cannot force our good volunteer soldiers to go back for a 4th tour of duty."

They can tie that together with similar talk about the fairness of the tax cuts and the need for making the responsible decisions to pay as you go on taxes.

That ought to be enough to scare the crap out of McCain.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. yep.

but still, the hand wringers will continue...

[RethugAssKicker]

3. Why is this issue being overblown?

Some Duers simply did not agree with Rangels tactics. Some did.

I for one didn't. I think that we should say what we mean. The time for speaking with fork tongue is over... Stop the shennanigans, and manipulative strategies.

We are the majority, we do not want the draft, however if there is war, we want all classes to serve equally... Lets start to change the system, by being upfront and sincere.... Perhaps there are other methods of stopping the elites from getting us into illegit wars.. Lets find them!!!.

That's my opinion... No need for us here to go to "war" over this issue!!!

[LWolf]

4. I'm not wringing my hands.

My fists are clenched, ready to land on the first person who tries to conscript a single citizen.

I'm not claiming any disaster, or any benefit, for the Democratic Party. I'm defending the citizens of my country from unreasonable seizure of their lives for purposes of empire.

[KennedyGuy]

5. It is highly unlikely that anyone will have to go anywhere..

I have never seen so much panic.
Agree or disagree with how rangel brought the topic about, but the fact that we are the ones painting the rethugs into a cornor is a good thing..is it not?

[Kashka-Kat]

6. its either pull out or begin a draft-- how many times can the same people be sent back again

and again and again? it really is unprecedented ... something's gotta give. I would think this proposal is, or should be, simply part of the wider debate on "what are we gonna do." I don't see it as merely symbolic but a real honest reckoning--if we stay, then something's going to have to change, and change soon.

[greenbriar]

7. I like this statement

"There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq, especially on the flimsy evidence that was presented to the Congress, if indeed we had a draft, and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids from their communities would be placed in harm's way," Rangel said.

[mtnester]

8. For the same reason we stood back and watched the Foley scandal unfold

you NEVER step in the middle of a shit fight you did not start...why get dirty when you do not have to? It is a MUCH better spectator sport.

[onenote]

10. the difference is that the media jumped all over the foley situation

the rangel proposal has been a big yawn in the mainstream media.

[CK_John]

11. It's just a matter of timing, before an announcement of a draft is

made. IMO a week after Thanksgiving and several weeks before Christmas.

I believe deep down we know this is going to happen. Many don't want it and most want to wish it away, but... Beirut is happening, Dufar is happening, North Korea is happening, China seems to be unstable, we are not alone in this world.

This WH has opened a can of worms and the result is we are in danger and need a much larger Armed Forces. How we get one is the question for today. Why we need one, is long gone.

[onenote]

12. I'll put money against your prediction

$15 to DU if you're right. You willing to match that?

And, you may believe deep down you know that there will be a draft announced in the next couple of weeks, but don't flatter yourself into believing you know what "we know".

[CK_John]

13. I don't buy scratch offs or gamble. But ask yourself, would we be

in this position if we had 400,000 troops at the ready?

[onenote]

14. You also aren't looking at the world realistically

It will require an act of Congress to reinstate an active draft. There is no way that happens the week after Thanksgiving since Congress is on recess through December 5. And there is no way it will happen in the limited time left in the lame duck session. And Pelosi has said there is no way it will happen in the next Congress.

Sorry to burst your bubble.

[CK_John]

15. Until Jan Bush could call Congress into session and reactive the

draft. Will he ever admit we are in trouble, that may be unrealistic, but I think Cheney wants his job and to attack Iran and will force Bush's hand.

[onenote]

16. in theory yes, but as you admit, its unrealistic

Consider the following statement made by chimpy in Oct. 2004:

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 5, 2004

President Commends the House for Rejecting the "Reinstate the Draft" Bill
Statement by the President

I applaud the House of Representatives for soundly rejecting the "Reinstate the Draft" bill, sponsored by Congressman Rangel in the House and Senator Hollings in the Senate. If this bill were presented to me, I would veto it. America's all-volunteer military is the best in the world, and reinstating the draft would be bad policy. We have increased pay and benefits to ensure that our troops have the resources they need to fight and win the war on terror. I want every American to understand that, as long as I am President, there will be no draft.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/10/20041005-6.html

No way chimpy is going to call Congress into session to consider legislation to reactivate the draft. To do so would be for him to admit not only that he was wrong, but that he is losing the war on terror.