TV Ads: Bush-Petraeus 10-Year Plan Means a Draft

Americans have seen some news reports over the last few days suggesting that the White House "might-maybe-could-possibly" bring some troops home from Iraq next year. If this happens, that's great. But don't break out the confetti just yet.

Every other indicator is that these are fairy tales cooked up by the White House PR machine to try to cauterize their bleeding support. Almost like clock-work the White House breaks the glass of their magical PR machine every time they're about to lose it.

The story hasn't changed. This is still an endless war. And, now a military draft is on the table.

As part of Iraq Summer, a project of Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, a new TV ad called "DRAFT" blows the whistle on this double-talk from the Bush administration.

The ad makes three points.

1. The Republicans targeted in the ads continue to rubber-stamp whatever Bush wants in Iraq -- despite what they might be saying to their constituents.

2. Bush's general, Gen. David Petraeus, says the mission he has been given by the president could take 10 years. (Probably why the White House is trying to sideline Petraeus from the PR war.)

3. An endless war means a military draft is on the table. Your kids could be drafted. Bush is running out of troops as it is. That's why they're talking about a draft.

This is so far outside of what the American public would find acceptable that political leaders need to be held accountable. That's why Iraq Summer is running new TV ads.

The ad will be running in the home state of Republican Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (KY)--who has been obstructing a vote on any exit plan from Iraq. Also, Rep. Phil English (R-PA), Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Rep. Thelma Drake (R-VA) are targets of this specific ad campaign.

We also learned last week that the much-anticipated "Petraeus Report" will actually be written by White House political hacks in their PR and spin operation. (Link)

Check out the ads and show them around.

Let's make it clear that: Bush-Petraeus 10 Year War = Endless War and a Draft.

Comments

[Gary Witherspoon]

Mission accomplished, the United States Congress is held hostage to an incredible Iraqi Parliament. The Iraqi government was created by the Executive Branch of the United States, Iran/Contra style.

This Bush Administration is guilty of obstruction of justice and contempt of Congress and the proof is how it placed the United States Military into Iraq and continues to keep them there. Iraq is the proof.

A resolution by the American electorate in defense of the Constitution of the United States demanding the impeachment of George W. Bush, Richard B. Cheney, Alberto Gonzales, and others yet to be named is on the desks of all elected representatives.

The American electorate is petitioning the House of Representatives of the United States Congress to initiate Impeachment proceedings against all identified officials under the authority given them in the US Constitution and the duty given them by their constitutional oath to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution".

Gary Witherspoon

[Kirby]

maybe with a draft enough people would get off their behinds because they'd be p'd off enough to get out in the streets and protest this god awful mess Bush has gotten us into. And for both starters and finishers we could impeach both him and cheney.

[Kirby]

Does this mean that Petraeus will betray us?

Bush has betrayed his oath to defend and support the constitution of the United States of America, at least, figuratively. He should be impeached.

A draft? For what? To defend the spread of freedom and democracy? A draft to defend Israel in its intractible position of holding on to all of Jerusalem and most of the West Bank, and the settlements, their iron fist policies, tearing down Arab olive groves, and houses in the middle of the night with our bulldozers?

This is tantamount to slurping on juicy fecal matter. That is, if we buy it. All this heavy crap handed out by the Bush Administration, starting with Cheney. Too bad the political whores in Congress had earlier on sold us all out to be whipping agent boys and girls for AIPAC!

What can we do to take back our country? What do we have to do? We are no longer the democracy we once were. Congress rubber stamps everything suggested by AIPAC. Ah, $$$!

[deminmo]

A draft will not change that much for the war in Iraq. The War on Terror is going to remain for generations to come. Any other conflict we get into now will not be a war on the ground, because of the lack of troups. The strikes will be swift and decisive from the air. If that fails the end result will be what has been termed "limited nuclear engagement". Regardless, its going to take someone from either party to say enough, and change the entire course we follow. It means putting their political life on the line. I don't believe any of the candidates have the guts to do that.

[Observer47]

Kucinich would.

[johnebeegood]

Thinking a draft will end this senseless war sooner is inviting more of our most precious commodity to come home in body bags.

Dumbya's 30% base will send their young to fight and die. They'll do it gladly. Honor yada yada...

No draft ever.

[realitytrumpsbull]

I guess that given the choice between a runaway, publicly unaccountable Halliburton and a draft, the draft is more desirable. Then again, an endless supply of draftees is no guarantee against oil companies lobbying for war on their behalf for material gain either.
Any way you slice it, though, Congress' authority got taken away, as per the War Powers Act, by nickel and dime, onesies and twosies, until it was basically nonexistent as a check against Vietnam-style perpetual conflicts.

Gulf War I proved that our military can do its' job in 2 weeks flat. Gulf War II proved that Congress cannot do its' job in 4 years.

[konopelli]

The biggest problem with the draft is that, before anything else, it provides more bodies of the Empire to spend.

[johnebeegood]

Exactly.

The dumbya and darth Road to Oblivion Show relishes the thought of more bodies to squander. And squander them they will.

Do the people posting here,either for or against the war have family they want coming home in a body bag? Or coming home maimed in body or spirit?

[mountain19]

i am so glad bill said of how this generation is not taught to be included in this political agenda in or out of schools. to the point they will ignor the killing of their generation for bush's company zapata in iraq yet stand in line for ipod for hrs. days if nessasary.
i am of the viet nam war generation and cared deeply of what was going on. could be due to the footage we saw ever nite on the local news. this is surpressed per this administration and others before it. dont think the clintons are innocent towards the damage done to our feedoms.

[frank67]

As a vteran of 28 years active duty, I am in favor of a draft with the following caveats.
First to be drafted will be sons, daughter, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren of each and every member of both Congress - House and Senate - and all members of the Executive branch. There will be no college deferments. Everyone will clasified 1A unless a person is blind, has lost a limb, or suffers a debilitating disease. Rich man, poor, man, beggar men, or thief - you all go! I'm 69.
I ain't going. Peace.

[fact finder]

No draft . No bodies. No war. NO profits.

[Sundialsvc4]

Draft. More bodies. More war. More profits!

This government has spent about $1 trillion on this war so far. "So far."

Stop and think: WHO GETS ALL THAT MONEY?

Just follow the money. Just follow the bloody trail of dollar bills ...

We reserve a word for people who think like these people do: "Evil."

Pure evil.

And no, "frankly, they don't give a damm" about you, or yours.

Be afraid, goddamm it! For once in your life, (I am speaking to the crowd) BE VERY AFRAID!

[USAneedsU]

Being a 25 year old woman, I must admit this is too scary. Two of my sisters and my brother are all of age. Its more likely that the four of us would be drafted rather than Romney's boys. And we have never supported this war. I don't feel like our government cares at all. How is this different from the "bad", "red", "communists", or "totalitarian" countries that I read about in history books? Free world, my arse. Steps away from provery and teetering on forced military service.

[BarryLeonardini]

Is the DRAFT coming back to America? Bush and the military-industrial complex and the Zionist lobbies need young Americans to fight for their imperial dreams. I Say NO. There should be NO DRAFT unless the declaration of war is taken out of the hands of the executive and legislative branches of government. It should be determined only by a majority voting in favor through a NATIONAL REFERENDUM.

[JimR]

"It should be determined only by a majority voting in favor through a NATIONAL REFERENDUM."

That's a recipe for disaster.

[Sundialsvc4]

Umm, to start with, I would settle for a DECLARATION OF war... wow, what a concept.

[irishmail42]

If the truth were known, we should never have gotten rid of the draft. Let me bore you with just two reasons. First, our young people, at present, have no way of learning the lesson of shared sacrifice and civic responsibility. Second, with every able bodied American man subject to a draft, the country would never stand for such absolute mismanagement of of our military or a war of choice such as the invasion of Iraq.

[Observer47]

There are lots of ways to learn about shared sacrifice and civic responsibility besides becoming cannon fodder.

[nomorebombs]

the world is sick of your bombs americans,you make 63% of the worlds weapons-sad bunch of confused people walk your streets....

[nowaterboardUSA]

If only members of the Bush family were drafted, I'd go for it. Then they'd see THE REAL COST of the war