Fears grow of military spread thin

[JI7]

<WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon's announcement this week that it will increase the number of U.S. troops in Iraq to 150,000 to provide more security for the Jan. 30 national election highlights a growing concern that America's armed services are dangerously overextended and possibly nearing a breaking point.

With nearly all of the Army's 10 divisions serving in Iraq, preparing for deployment there or refitting from a combat tour in that country, there are few forces available to deal with a new major threat or emergency, military experts say.

"You need a bigger Army if you're going to carry out the Bush national security strategy," said Lawrence Korb, who served as assistant secretary of defense in the Reagan administration. "Right now, you're really using the reserves at an unsustainable pace, and you're violating the norms that you have for deploying people overseas that you've established not only for equity but for retention."

The U.S. has more troops in all branches serving abroad than it averaged from 1950 to 2003, and three times as many overseas as it had in December 2001, according to a study by the Washington-based Heritage Foundation.

"If you look at the world--and what we're likely to see in the future in terms of potential threats and areas where we need to be involved, either to deter or actually conduct operations--I think it's clear that we need a larger force than what we have," said Michelle Flournoy, a former deputy assistant defense secretary now with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.>

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0412030396dec03,1,6578822.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Draft Beer...

...drink it. It's your last one before you head to Iraq.

Count on it.:grr:

[durablend]

8. Coming January 21st to a theater/neighborhood near you!

"FREEDOM FIGHTERS INITIATIVE"

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. the draft may come sooner than later then

I figured Shrub was waiting until after the inaugural to impose it. But he may have to bump it up on his schedule. One thing about it-I hope that all those freeper types who are always shouting for war are the first ones drafted. Almost makes me wish I was on a draft board-to reject any arguments against going from those types.

[ChicanoPwr]

5. Better yet

I would LOVE to see the B* TWINS be at the top of the draftee list. Don't you they will do out country our country proud?

[LynnTheDem]

3. If we don't stop extending troops all around the world in nation-building

missions, then we're going to have a serious problem coming down the road. And I'm going to prevent that."

-George W. bush, 2000

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2000/debates/transcripts/u221003.html

FLIP FLOP!

[StClone]

4. DUers predicted this a year and one-half ago

It is amazing how we get it right so often and the Right keeps telling lies to cover their wrongs.

[durablend]

10. Gonna be hilarious watching the freepers implode

When it actually does happen

[Ganja Ninja]

12. What's amazing is that people go along with the lies.

The people of this country knew full that the reasons for war in Iraq were a lie. They knew we were after the oil and they were OK with that. So much for conservative moral values.

[ChicanoPwr]

13. Don't you love when we are right

One of the sad things to see is when fellow Dems are also in denial and refuse to open their eyes to the truth.

I do not know how many times I have had arguments with my parents about what was about this issue. I kept telling my dad the SSS is considering increasing the age to 35 and having a specialized Medical Draft. He would just keeping repeating his response: No son, it will never happen. Until I showed him the proof and this was way before I found DU and joined. Looks like I am going to be right again.

The SSS currently has the Medical Draft on stand by just waiting for BushCo to give the word to crank up it up. My concern, my sister is a Doctor.

So I have a short message for BuShit, the RW nut jobs, and all the freepers who happen to be reading this thread, FUCK YOU, IF MY SISTER GETS DRAFTED AND IS A CAUSALITY IN THIS UNJUST WAR, I HOPE YOU ALL BURN IN FUCKING HELL.

[StClone]

15. Many of us have draft-age kids

And it is just wrong how we'll be forced to submit again, the war we opposed being the biggest of many of these wrongs.

[mulethree]

18. I thought the medical 'special skills' draft age was up to 42 n/t

[ChicanoPwr]

23. The new SSS plan age limit is up to 44 for the medial skills draft

The 35 age limit I was referring to was in regards to the new SSS general draft plan. My parents never believed me that the SSS came up with both draft plans.

Sorry for the confusion.

[Qanisqineq]

6. hubby is getting new orders this month

we're afraid they might say "Iraq". Hearing about how overextended the military is doesn't make me feel any better.

[Divernan]

7. Sorry to hear that - wishing the best for your family.

nt

[Massachusetts]

9. 450 - 476 A.D.

Economic decay, deficits, divisions, military spread to thin, Where?

Rome:nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: Does history repeat itself?

[tinymontgomery]

11. Where are the right wing

patriots. When I was in during the President Clinton era all I heard from those blowhards was how over extended we were and how President Clinton was ruining the military. I knew they were wrong but they had the airwaves and pounded, now they shut up, what cowards.

[The Zanti Regent]

14. EVERY child of a Congressman should be AUTOMATICALLY drafted!

You cannot take anything else from me, I've already lost my only child to this madman. Yes, Jenna and Babs should be put on the front lines!

[Mari333]

16. ((((Zanti))))

and my stepson is still over there , on extended duty...as he said in an email..."I hate the people who voted Bush back in.."
I have 3 other sons, draft age. I wont allow them to go...

[Barrett808]

19. Hang in there, Mari

Which is what I always say. Is your stepson still stationed at/near Abu Ghraib?

[wicket]

20. Mari, long time no see...

Hope you are doing ok, I know how horrible of a year it has been for you :( :hug:

[ChicanoPwr]

27. I truly sympathize

I have (or had) a friend, actually a very good friend, who's a Captain in Army Reserves. We some how lost contact when he moved to New York. Ever since this fucking war, I have no idea if he is over there or not, and if he is in Iraq, if he is alive or dead. I do check the causality list, so far so good I guess.

If they do implement the Medical Skills Draft, I probably be like you, fighting tooth and nail so she won't go.

[Ilsa]

17. NPR's Anne Gerrols said on Nightline last night

that she doubted that the additional 12,000 troops would make much of a difference.

Gerrols also said she felt safer in Fallujah with the Marines than in Baghdad. In Baghdad, you have to check your six to make sure your not being followed and kidnapped, and you have to watch for suspicious behavior to make certain you aren't approaching a car bomb or suicide bomber.

[Barrett808]

21. So is all this talk of hawks recommending early withdrawal from Iraq

...to free up troops for the invasion of Iran?

Now, that would be a party. If you loved the Iraq disaster...

[jpak]

26. It will happen like this

30 January 2005. New I-raqi puppet government elected by the freedom loving I-raqi people.

1 February 2005. Chimp Declares "VICTORY IN I-RAQ!"

2 February 2005. Chimp sends 10 divisions currently in I-raq into I-ran.

Groundhogs Day

Groundhogs Day

Groundhogs Day

etc...

[MGKrebs]

22. We spend what, more than the next 10 countries combined

on defense? And it's still not enough?

[this_side_up]

24. Would someone please explain this?

But Oregon Guard leaders are moving forward with plans for the mobilization after agreeing to handle the mission, which allowed them to begin training and planning earlier than normal. Ideally, Pritt said, the early preparation will enable Oregon soldiers to reduce their time away from home by two or three months.

?? After agreeing to handle the mission ??

Since when do they have the right to accept or
decline?


http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/front_page/1102079244202480.xml#continue

[maxsolomon]

25. our military could protect our borders at 1/10th of its size

hell, 1/100th, probably.

the reason we spend more than the next 10 countires combined to enforce corporate interests overseas.

it has been thus since the war with mexico.

but, like the war on drugs, you can't back away from militarism without being called "soft", therefore no politician will say it in public.

[Hosnon]

28. I will be extremely aggravated if there is a draft and Republicans/

Conservatives my age (22) don't volunteer to be the first to go. I will personally go to their homes and offer to drive them to the enlistment officer and if they refuse then I'll give them a nice lesson in politics.

I'll fight any necessary war. Everyone should it seems by definition. However, if there is room for doubt as to whether it is necessary and I decide it is not and another decides it is, within reason, then I'd have no problem shipping him off while I stay here.

[Stinky The Clown]

29. I am nearly 100% certain the draft will start early to mid 2005

Chimpus Khan knows a draft has to come. The only question is timing.

The memories of his base are obviously very short. He knows that the sooner he reinstates the draft the better .... for him and for whoever his cronies run in 2008.

It is **all** about political calculations