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

[freesingerrr]

Bush, Blair, Rove, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Quail,& hundreds of male politicians, CEOs, Generals did not go to war [vietnam, Iraq 1 & 2], when they were young & even trained in ROTC units, & Reserves, the people who love to make wars & kill off our sons & some daughters are cowards, not cowboys, by the time an officer becomes a Major or Lt. Colonel, & especially a general, they are staff officers, far behind the lines, out of danger, they love war, if there isn't an enemy on the horizon, they make one for us, as in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghan...the abovementioned, [including Ghengiz Khan, the Prussian Generals of WW1 &WW2 were all cowards]I volunteered to fight for Democracy, against Fascism, flew 45 bombing missions, war-lovers are cowards, including Ollie South, the story that he threw himself on a grenade to save his men is an old Prussian trick used to get men to die for the officer..the grenade is a dud, never blows up...ollie was a coward...enough for now, freesinger

[Jonathanfast]

Before we institute the draft shouldn't we use the troops we already have? FOR EXAMPLE:
Over 75,000 troops still in Germany, over 60 years after the end of WW11.
Over 40,000 troops still in Japan.
Over 40,000 troops still in South Korea.

DO YOU REALIZE that we have army personnel deployed in 165 countries on 737 military bases? Why isn't the Commander-in-Chief at the head of our troops in Iraq? Caesar, Napoleon, Patton, even that brick Hitler were at the frontline - WHY ISN'T BUSH?

[Misanthrope2]

No draft. The draft didn't end the Vietnam war.

We are not in a war. It is an occupation. And a power grab by corporate fascists based on a false and never ending war on terror (a tactic, not an enemy).

We are using the armed forces to prevent Iraq from pumping oil. The war was and is to stop oil production.

The purpose of the war was to stop Iraq from increasing oil output from 3 million barrels a day to 12 million barrels a day (Saudis produce 9 million barrels a day) as soon as the sanctions were lifted.

Iraq was ready to amp up oil production and had signed contracts with French and German companies.

We attacked and oil production never went up. In fact, it is down from 3 million to 2 million barrels a day.

The war has been a great success for the oil companies and the Saudis. For them, it's a win!

No reason to change that now. if we left, the Iraqis would stop warring and start producing oil and money for themselves. Can't have that happening, so it will never get good enough to leave.

[JimR]

"if we left, the Iraqis would stop warring and start producing oil and money for themselves"

That doesn't sound very likely.

[johnebeegood]

Its not likely with us there,either.

[Misanthrope2]

Money talks. It wasn't just violence that held Iraq together, it was money. There is a lot more money if the oil flows. I think it very likely that oil fields controlled by one or another group will start producing without interference. Lots of money will flow to the radical sect leaders and attacks will stop. Like Iran.

Why don't you think it likely?

[dadw5boys]

During the Vietnam draft here you could buy your son out for $2000.00 from the draft board.
I friend from school told me his grand daddy paid $2000.00 to get his namee off the draft rolls. He went on to a job with CSX railroad and is now a retired engineer getting great retirement pay.
I am a disabled veteran who went when called and barely make ends meet.
The draft board seat are heald by Republicans I have found out, here at least, and no rich kid goes to war!

[TheHandyman]

So you actually want to give people like those in charge even more bodies to throw in front of the cannons do you? That is what a Draft will do. 58,000 died in Viet Nam before the American public was willing to take to the streets and end it.

The term Fair Draft is an oxymoron. Would any one here supporting the Draft like to have their number called for this one? If so, why not go down and join?

There are only 3 catagories of pepole who support a Draft. One, those that don't comprehend its effects. Two, people who will not be Drafted. And last, but not least, those that want to have more bodies available to use for their own evil purposes which includes using them against their own citizens such as was done in Newark and Kent State.

We are not at War! We were not attacked by the people we are killing. This war was sold to us like all Wars are sold. WWII is the sole exception. War and War machinary is what drives this country and it is bankrupting us.

And remember, the people who will write the Draft Law will write it so the Rich, the Elected and their children will not have to serve! And you can bank on that !

[JimR]

"58,000 died in Viet Nam before the American public was willing to take to the streets and end it."

What will it take before the American public is willing to take to the streets to end this war?

[rmreddicks]

I'm not inclined to believe that the public taking to the streets ended the American war against Vietnam. I'm certain that it helped.

If the American public take to the streets this time, against this war, it won't be the rebellion of the 60's and 70's. It will be a revolution. And I don't give the American public very high marks for the courage that would take.

[Independent voter]

I think that resuming the draft - without deferrments - is an excellent idea.

Start with bush's bitches, throw in Romney's kids, Cheney's daughter, Chelsea and a few other notables and this bullshit war will stop overnight.

bush is very good at sending other people's children to die. Let's see how he feels about killing his own for a change.

[johnebeegood]

Not going to happen. You are delusional if you really think so.

remember this. The 30%,dumbya's base, will gladly send their own.Stupid is as stupid does,etc. This will give the decider more than enough troops to fight this useless war;the remainder he will use to round up the dissenters.

NO DRAFT! Just say no.

Impeach now.

[Observer47]

You're confusing what SHOULD happen with what WOULD happen. Be rational, Independent---ain't never gonna happen that there won't be deferments for the rich and privileged.

[Kendo Nagasaki]

Anyone who supports a draft is playing a dangerous game with young Americans lives at stake.

Do you really think the likes of AWOL Bush will play fair ?

You are sanctioning a Police State.

[osage]

Our president is lying and pretending to be a liberator when he is nothing more than a hijacking profiteer.....and he doesn't care how many people have to die as long as he gets his oil. He "owes" his presidency to the oil companies, and he's trying to "pay" his debt to them. That means "more" to him than the American and Iraqi lives/families being destroyed in Iraq. That is his sole guiding tenet. That is who and what he is.

[Ratso]

Hey, didn't Bill Clinton avoid military service? Was Ted kennedy in the military?

[johnebeegood]

but Clinton......

[Mytigodess]

At least neither of them started a pointless war insisting other people's children serve to fight it.

[leftLibertarian]

2 ways to end the war.

1 - a draft with no deferment (hear that future Dick 'less' Cheneys)

2 - impeach the criminals Bush and Cheney.

Neither is likely to happen. As the hapless Democratic 'frontrunner' candidate said in their debates, they'd keep the troops in Iraq 'for awhile.' When things go even worse than they are now, bush will blame whoever is president. Me, I'd arrest him for his many crimes, and cheney too.

[vippy]

No draft - the rich and powerful will never have to enter the services. This will never change. And I disagree with a draft since I am against any war unless it is a direct threat to
me and my family and in this day and time this is hardly an issue. Have we not learned in 2000 plus years that we don't have to resort to
barbaric means to get along in the world. Of course, first we would have to quit robbing other countries of their resources. Now since we are doing this, don't ask for my or my kids' assistance.

[Observer47]

Best comment in this entire string!

[mamacat]

(Apologies if this comes up twice.)

Please read an Op-Ed piece in the New York Times of August 19, 2007, written by soldiers currently serving on the ground with the 82nd Airborne, titled "THE WAR AS WE SAW IT."

It puts the lie to all of the Republican spin about what we are doing there and what we are accomplishing.

According to the seven American soldiers listed as authors, the Iraqi military and police ARE the "terrorists" killing and maiming American soldiers, and the idea of waiting for them to be able to step up to the plate and take a swing at stabilizing their own country just does not make any sense.

[Tom Matzzie - Huffpost Blogger]

That is a great piece. Here is the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/opinion/19jayamaha.html

[Mytigodess]

ITA.

Also, how can Iraq ever find stability when they kill off their best and brightest so the others flee the area? Most of the doctors, engineers, scientists, and every trained professional who know their own people and could help rebuild are not there to make it happen.

Everyone else there is either trapped by those with the gun or the ones holding the guns. They would have been safer if Saddam was still in power.

[Purple Girl]

If they want to see Americans take up arms as Militia members,just say 'instituting the draft". Here in Michigan, gun ownership is considered our first right- the rest of our rights are defended by the first. I have no connection with any Michigan Militia groups- but they say draft and I'm buying a rifle and starting my own against these traitors in gov't. Unfortunately sometimes it's best to fight fire with fire. Quickly moving from a liberal to a 'radical' when it comes to our constitutional rights.
Note - this administration is so blind they have not even considered the demographics of our population. In twenty years there won't be enough young people to support the baby boomer. If they're going to draft any one it should be us middle aged folks- hell enlist the elderly - maybe we could devise ways for them to bomb the enemy from their bed pans too

[mamacat]

One of the most enlightening articles in any publication, was in the New York Times, August 19,2007. It was written by seven veterans of the 82nd Airborne Division, currently serving in Iraq. The title of the article was "The War as We Saw It."

I recommend that everyone of voting age read it. It puts the lie to Republican spin about why we are there and what we are doing there. Rather like with the Vietnam war, the lesson for voters should be that our leaders are and have been lying to us.

To make a long story short, these grunts and NCOs on the ground have stated that according to their first hand experience, the killing and maiming of American soldiers is being facilitated and encouraged by the Iraqi military and police forces. Therefore, state the authors, any arguments based on the logic of waiting for those same institutions to be able to step up to the plate and take over from us do not make any sense whatsoever.

Those of us old enough to have seen the similarities with Vietnam have suspected for a long time that this war was utter folly. It is good to hear today's soldiers seeing it the same way.

[Mytigodess]

I could never be behind a draft given the chance of a reckless dk-head who becomes commander in thief.

Bush got out of really serving. Cheney, too. It did not stop them from callously sending out other people's children to die for a war without merit. Those type will always find a loophole because they will pass the laws to make sure it is there for only their type to see. Meanwhile, everyday Joe's sons and daughters will be slaughtered on the fields in a war they may not even believe in fighting.

How can anyone who is against the war speak from both sides of their mouth? Supporting the idea of a draft won't stop this war, it will only encourage it.

One of Bush's daughters is due to get married. Have a draft and so will the other one and both will have children as soon as possible and get a loophole out.

Mitt Romney's sons have established careers aside from helping their father get elected. They aren't exactly spring chickens for draft board consideration, but since they are on the older end of consideration would have the loophole that they are needed more at home than over there.

Face it, the chicken hawks who dare you to support a draft don't care. They got out of it and their grandchildren will also. It is YOUR children and grandchildren who will die from their madness. I would move to Canada so quickly to protect my children from these crazy people.