This election isn't just about health care, Iraq, or the deficit. It's about protecting you and your family. If Bush is reelected, there will be a draft. Bush said in the debates that his plan to avoid a draft is to succeed in Iraq. Unless success means increasingly colorful car bombs and relying on Iraqi troops that don't exist, that's practically a guarantee that you (if you are of age) or your son, daughter, brother, sister, or grandchild will be shipped off to fight a war in the desert. Additionally, the Selective Service just asked for the legal authority to draft women and people up to the age of 34, there is currently a backdoor draft of former troops (called the Individual Ready Reserve) to be used only in case of a national emergency, and our current troop strength in Iraq is wholly inadequate to the task of securing the country.
We can fix this if we elect someone else. Germany is making noises about sending troops to Iraq if the situation changes (hint, hint). Other countries will quickly follow, because they know that having the second largest oil-producing country fall into failed statehood is really really bad for their economies. But they won't follow George Bush, because they know he is incapable of managing success or dealing with reality.
If you don't want a draft to take someone in your family, take the following actions:
- Vote on November 2, 2004, send George Bush back to Texas.
- Encourage your friends and family to do the same.
- If you want to help spread this message through our ads in key battleground states, help by donating here to BlogPac.
This issue is absolutely critical. Americans need to know what they are voting for!
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Sun Oct 17th, 2004
Here is a brief overview of what would occur if the United States returned to a draft
1. CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT AUTHORIZE A DRAFT
A crisis occurs which requires more troops than the volunteer military can supply. Congress passes and the President signs legislation which starts a draft.
2. THE LOTTERY
A lottery based on birthdays determines the order in which registered men are called up by Selective Service. The first to be called, in a sequence determined by the lottery, will be men whose 20th birthday falls during that year, followed, if needed, by those aged 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25. 18-year-olds and those turning 19 would probably not be drafted.
3. ALL PARTS OF SELECTIVE SERVICE ARE ACTIVATED
The Agency activates and orders its State Directors and Reserve Forces Officers to report for duty.
4. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND MORAL EVALUATION OF REGISTRANTS
Registrants with low lottery numbers are ordered to report for a physical, mental, and moral evaluation at a Military Entrance Processing Station to determine whether they are fit for military service. Once he is notified of the results of the evaluation, a registrant will be given 10 days to file a claim for exemption, postponement, or deferment.
5. LOCAL AND APPEAL BOARDS ACTIVATED AND INDUCTION NOTICES SENT
Local and Appeal Boards will process registrant claims. Those who pass the military evaluation will receive induction orders. An inductee will have 10 days to report to a local Military Entrance Processing Station for induction.
6. FIRST DRAFTEES ARE INDUCTED
According to current plans, Selective Service must deliver the first inductees to the military within 193 days from the onset of a crisis.
"I made it very plain. We will
not have an all-volunteer army."
--George W. Bush, October 15th, 2004
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"The nation must be prepared to conduct a draft."
--Lewis C. Brodsky, director of public and congressional affairs with the Selective Service System
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"We may need a
bigger army."
--Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, TIME's Person of the Year double issue, December, 2003.
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"Although The draft -- which will include both boys and girls this time around -- is a no-brainer in '05 and '06."
-- David Hackworth, top military analyst, October 4th, 2004.
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"The Selective Service System plans on delivering about 36,000 health care specialists to the Defense Department if and when a special skills draft were activated."
-- Richard S. Flahavan, spokesman for the Selective Service System, October 18, 2004.
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"All options are
on the table."
--President George W. Bush says, for making sure Iran dismantles its nuclear program, and that Washington will never let Tehran acquire atomic weapons, September, 2004.
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"The Selective Service System wants to hear from men and women in the community who might be willing to serve as members of a local draft board."
--Defense Department web site, September 22, 2003
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"In line with today's needs, the Selective Service System's structure, programs and activities should be re-engineered toward maintaining a national inventory of American men and, for the first time, women, ages 18 through 34, with an added focus on identifying individuals with critical skills."
--Selective Service System, Feb. 11, 2003, proposal presented to senior Pentagon officials.
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