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

[righeousmanofjesus]

The neocon plan is very clear, although it is certainly not working. Rather than have a draft in the US, they are trying to develop the Iraqi army to the point where it can take on our "enemies" in the region, such as Iran and Sysria.
This plan failed in the 80's when we supported Saddam Hussein in his war with Iran.
Although there have been a few "bumps in the road", I believe this is still the general neocom game plan. This time with an Iraqi army we can control better.

[Spookcatcher]

What is wrong with you people? Do you not know what a FORCED DRAFT MEANS To you and you families. We have arogue criminal group of leaders holding our government hostage, starting a false war and not even Looiking for the perpetrators because they are it. If there is a draft you will see border patrol, blackwater and the unfettered Fascism that has been the goal since 1943, when finally Truman shut the american banks down from overtly financing Hitler. Hitler died, Germany lost but Fascism only changed the address of its headquarters to America.

[noblabla]

Some say that unless we have clear, very clear in our mind that we are infested by termites here at home and we fight them, the house will crumble, sooner or later

But then, again, physic's laws are no longer what they were used to be...ewhhh­-huu

[Macready]

I agree with you Spookcatcher . . . I just wonder if the next ads this corrupt administration will run will explain why they will be suspending the 2008 elections because they have decided to illegally invade Iran . . . I suspect the MSM will give them free airtime . . . meanwhile the British are in the process of pulling out:

"Military commanders tell Brown to withdraw from Iraq without delay
By Raymond Whitaker and Robert Fox
Published: 19 August 2007
Senior military commanders have told the Government that Britain can achieve "nothing more" in south-east Iraq, and that the 5,500 British troops still deployed there should move towards withdrawal without further delay.

Two generals told The Independent on Sunday last week that the military advice given to the Prime Minister was, "We've done what we can in the south [of Iraq]". Commanders want to hand over Basra Palace – where 500 British troops are subjected to up to 60 rocket and mortar strikes a day, and resupply convoys have been described as "nightly suicide missions" – by the end of August. The withdrawal of 500 soldiers has already been announced by the Government. The Army is drawing up plans to "reposture" the 5,000 that will be left at Basra airport, and aims to bring the bulk of them home in the next few months.

to read the article:

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2876541.ece

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2878774.ece

Unless of course are troops are just a cover for blackwater . . . so they play insurgents . . . and rape Iraq of their oil . . . this administration has to be impeached . . . and Congress has to stop aiding them . . .

[PigLipstick]

Number 1. I think it was 1945, not 43. FDR died in April of 1945 and VP Truman moved into the position.

Number 2. We wouldn't be in Iraq now if we had kept the peacetime draft in place. My enlistment in the military was up in late 1971 and I saw the oncoming volunteer army with private contractors taking over just about every role at significantly higher wages, a situation that drove experienced career military personnel away from the service when they were most needed.
Previous to the all volunteer military, the military had maintained a high standard for their technical schools that provided good civilian careers for thousands of citizen soldiers; serve your country and get an education, such a deal.
After the end of the draft in 1973, most volunteers had to be taught to read and write before a technical education could even be considered. The growth of civilian contractors eventually eliminated the need for any meaningful investment in training for military personnel.
In the 70s Congress helped out our military by forcing all military exchanges to raise their prices so civilian retail firms could get a piece of the action. However, they neglected to raise military salaries which explains why many military families are still forced to survive using food stamps.
If you think defending this country is somebody elses responsibility, then you really have no grounds to complain as our self-appointed rulers sell it off to the highest bidder !

[RetMsgt]

Everyone who came into the military after Jan 1, 1977 was a volunteer. I don't recall anyone having to teach me to read and write and besides the military is not a secondary school. We have some of the most highly trained and technically proficient young men and women the world has ever seen. The investment in training military personnel has never been higher. I don't know where you got your info but it is sadly misguided.

[JimR]

That is exactly the point. If there is a draft, you will see a lot more people wake the hell up and realize that what our corrupt leaders are doing is affecting them.

As of right now, people will answer surveys and polls stating they oppose the war. Well, so what? Does that make a damn bit of difference?

[TommyMcCarthy]

Many thanks to Tom Matzzie and all the committed activists at move on & the volunteers @ Iraq summer.

At first blush, I was puzzled by the Targeting of McConnell.­..who, since his election, and certainly since the beginning of the war; has been the very face of Republican intransigence. Seemed like a waste of time & money as Kentuckians re-elected him by the widest margin in that state's history in 2002.

To us on the left: ending the war is so manifestly the right thing to do that it's hard to concieve why any member of congress would still be backing the evil policies of the administration at this late date.

If McConnell can't/won't do the right thing out of conscience perhaps enough citizens of Kentucky can be convinced to make him feel vulnerable in the impending Democratic landslide of 2008.

Admittedly it still seems quite a longshot, but as the Chinese proverb goes: the longest journey begins w/ a single step.

How can we help?.....­.tm

[Tom Matzzie - Huffpost Blogger]

That's right, Tommy. Our job as committed activists is to give the politicians a choice: help end the war or face political extinction.

[rmreddicks]

From a Kentuckian;

McConnell rode to his present fame and Senate seat on an advert featuring bloodhounds looking for his opponent (who was just doing a kind of KY take-the-m­oney-and-r­elax thing during his tenure). After election back in those halcyon (I think that's the trademarked "Halcyon") days of the Raygun era he came to fame for his desire to shoot down airplanes suspected of drug running. No mention of whether he thought shooting down terrorist planes later on. He has been absolutely solid in the suburbs of Jefferson County, KY since his days as County Executive. The suburbs of the big cities and norther KY and rural western KY are powerful strongholds for him. The man has money - not his own. He is in tactical retreat at the moment. It will take someone to dog him. It will take money. What Mark Twain said about Cincinnati (everything happens 10 years later) can be upped to a generation later in KY. But someone will have to dog him and it's not going to be Gannett. McClatchy may be starting to turn. Kentuckians are always happy when one of their's gains power in government.

[jwpilcher]

Good ad. Powerful.

[DietrichMoody]

Will someone explain to me what's wrong with a Draft while we are at War? how we thought we could ever avoid it, with the crappy set of choices we've been given and How will a Draft stop this war?
1.We've been at war with two countries for almost six yars.
2.We are at war with this two countries to allegedly stem off future terrorist attacks
3.The administration that masterminded these wars, were elected by a majority of voters AFTER the war has started.
4.The wars have gone bad - so now its time to pull out? so if it had good??
5.A majority of politicians authorized the war?
6.Over the last century, we have proceeded to nation build time and time again,and we are at it again in 2007!!?
7.Thousand­s of Iraqis have died because OUR COUNTRIES actions and we have the gaul to still complain of a draft for ourselves, but isn't democracy about choosing your leaders by majority vote and having EVERYBODY takes reponsibility for their leaders actions?
I not supporting the war and its aftermath but we can't always have our cake in eat it too. Too many sacrafice, MISTAKES, have been and we must now ALL takes responsibilities. Unfortunately their appears to be a SILENT MAJORITY that will support the draft, quite the OPPOSITE OF VIETNAM SCENARIOS. The threat of a draft was all too potent at the beginning of these wars and actions but now that we've made war a force that gives us meaning, I guess we as a nation have to prove what we mean.

[johnebeegood]

You made your point the first time.

Do you think we should stay and continue the killing?

#4 The war(s) were ill-conceived,Iraq in particular,and poorly carried out.

[johnebeegood]

A draft is never a good idea,btw.

[DietrichMoody]

Will someone explain to me what's wrong with a Draft while we are at War? how we thought we could ever avoid it, with the crappy set of choices we've been given and How will a Draft stop this war?
1.We've been at war with two countries for almost six yars.
2.We are at war with these two countries to allegedly stem off future terrorist attacks
3.The administration that masterminded these wars, were elected by a majority of voters AFTER the war has started.
4.The wars have gone bad - so now its time to pull out? so if it had good??
5.A majority of politicians authorized the war?
6.Over the last century, we have proceeded to nation build time and time again,and we are at it again in 2007!!?
7.Thousand­s of Iraqis have died because OUR COUNTRIES actions and we have the gaul to still complain of a draft for ourselves, but isn't democracy about choosing your leaders by majority vote and having EVERYBODY takes reponsibility for their leaders actions?
I not supporting the war and its aftermath but we can't always have our cake in eat it too. Too many sacrafice, MISTAKES, have been and we must now ALL takes responsibilities. Unfortunately their appears to be a SILENT MAJORITY that will support the draft, quite the OPPOSITE OF VIETNAM SCENARIOS. The threat of a draft was all too potent at the beginning of these wars and actions but now that we've made war a force that gives us meaning, I guess we as a nation have to prove what we mean.

[DietrichMoody]

Will someone explain to me what's wrong with a Draft while we are at War? how we thought we could ever avoid it, with the crappy set of choices we've been given and How will a Draft stop this war?
1.We've been at war with two countries for almost six yars.
2.We are at war with this two countries to allegedly stem off future terrorist attacks
3.The administration that masterminded these wars, were elected by a majority of voters AFTER the war has started.
4.The wars have gone bad - so now its time to pull out? so if it had good??
5.A majority of politicians authorized the war?
6.Over the last century, we have proceeded to nation build time and time again,and we are at it again in 2007!!?
7.Thousand­s of Iraqis have died because OUR COUNTRIES actions and we have the gaul to still complain of a draft for ourselves, but isn't democracy about choosing your leaders by majority vote and having EVERYBODY takes reponsibility for their leaders actions?
I not supporting the war and its aftermath but we can't always have our cake in eat it too. Too many sacrafice, MISTAKES, have been and we must now ALL takes responsibilities. Unfortunately their appears to be a SILENT MAJORITY that will support the draft, quite the OPPOSITE OF VIETNAM SCENARIOS. The threat of a draft was all too potent at the beginning of these wars and actions but now that we've made war a force that gives us meaning, I guess we as a nation have to prove what we mean.

[Mytigodess]

3. And what of those us who not only voted against this current administration who have also spoken out consistently against the war before it happened? What of those of use who refuse to re-elect the bozos who supported the war, including Hilary and Obama?

1. Yes, we have been at war with "terrorists" for about 6 years now and as a result have destroyed 2 countries in the process. And this administration is now eyeballing Iran on top of everything. Have a draft and this reckless team will invade Iran and everywhere else he thinks there is a terrorist threat that happens to have an asset that will help his buddies.

2,4. The way this war on terrorism is going is ineffective. Why draft more troops to continue the mess? There is a saying, "If you bang your head against the wall, it hurts. If you keep doing it, it will still hurt."

7. Yes, too many mistakes were made and our country is responsible for the innocent lives lost over there. Why compound the situation by drafting more people to mess things up more?

[Observer47]

Dietrich, in reply to your numbers 3 and 7, WAKE UP!!!! Bush was NOT, NOT, NOT elected, either in 2000 or 2004. He is in office illegitimately; the majority of the people did NOT vote him in. The elections were rigged, the fix was in, and we're all paying for it, even the MAJORITY of us who voted AGAINST him.

[RACaplan]

A draft is dangerous in any country that believes in pre-emptive war. Does our country believe in pre-emptive war? It did in 2003 when we invaded Iraq? Thank God we did not have a draft at that time.

The question now is whether our country has learned its' lesson from the Iraq debacle. Until I was positive that we would never elect another president who would commit the country's blood and treasure to pre-emptive war and military adventurism, I could never support a draft.

[SamThornton]

Have to agree with RACaplan. What the ruling elites saw as a bottomless supply of cannon-fodder during both the Korea "police action" and the later Vietnam "military assistance" exercise simply encouraged our pointy-headed morons to continue their chuckle-headed ways.

Unfortunately, our morons never learn from experience, probably due to the continuing necessity to reinvent the past so they don't appear to be (in their own tiny minds, at least) the enormous buffoons they so obviously are.

The only long term cure for the continuing cluster-f**k that passes for what we are pleased to call "foreign policy," is universal, high-quality eduction. Unfortunately, it appears that collectively we're both too dumb to make the attempt and too dumb to make it work.

[2fargone]

Are you people mad? Why in the hell would you support a draft if you're against the war? Yeah, yeah, a draft will make people care, they'll protest, and the war will end. Well what if it doesn't work that way?

Whenever talk of a draft comes up on this board, I sense those posters who are in favor of a draft are having wet dreams just thinking of chickenhawks going to war. Well that's lovely, but nobody considers that a draft doesn't give a shit about your opinion.

[mamacat]

The reality is that people like Bush, Cheney, Rove, Limbaugh, ad nauseum, got out of the last draft, and the next generation of Young Republicans will find a way of getting out of the next draft, if there were one. Any dreams of seeing young chickenshits going to war are just plain not going to happen, because if they can buy elections, they can sure as hell buy their way out of any draft.

[scooperss]

Not to mention that no matter how it's phrased a DRAFT WILL never BE FAIR. Politicians and the rich will make triply sure that their little entitled angels never, ever have to put on a pair of combat boots to serve on the front lines. NEVER

[Tom Matzzie - Huffpost Blogger]

A draft would give Bush all the troops he needs to keep going. At current rates he will run out of troops in the Spring. See the news clips on this. http://www.contracostatimes.com/nationandworld/ci_6669006?nclick_check=1

[coastalcarla]

Thank you! Somebody needs to get it through people's heads that there will never be an equitable draft. Supporting any form of a draft is just as bad as thinking like those morons that are still supporting the war.

[irishmail42]

Protesting ended the Viet Nam war. And please, there's no excuse for profanity when trying to make your point.

[johnebeegood]

Profanity is good for releasing pent up feelings-f­rustration­,anger,etc­.

[kimk3]

I think a draft would be excellent. I think it will end the war quicker as long as, as someone said above, it affects all incomes and classes -- and both sexes -- of the population. All the NIMBYS will finally be forced to act to do something to end the war.

[twasbrillignslithy]

Draft = slavery whether they are 'compensated' or not. Are there Any other circumstance under which being forced to risk your health, safety & life And to kill others would Not be considered illegal? Hell, if you defied the draft board back in the 60s and the law came after you, the choice was prison or Vietnam. Doesn't that Also constitute kidnapping?! Since when are people so willing to let 'authority' tell them what rights they do & don't have?! Since when have the Majority of this country believed that it's just fine to have had our Constitution shredded before our very eyes-in fact with our Consent?!
One major attack on US soil and there will be marshal law, with all dissenters being carted off to the detention camps already set up around the country, and the newly-invigorated pro-American empire enthusiasts lining up to volunteer to be drafted.

[JimR]

What about responsibility? As the saying goes, freedom is not free, and any nation needs to be able to defend itself. (Please note I am not saying the Iraq War is an example of that - I've been opposed to that war from day one.)

The law will come after you if you don't pay your taxes, or if you have a child and refuse to enroll him or her in a formal education program. Are these violations of our rights?

I have no problem with some form of mandatory service for people - whether it be serving in the military for a year or 2, or helping to clean up parks, tutor inner-city kids, whatever.

And what I hope a draft would accomplish in this case is to wake people from their stupor and get involved, because as you note, some rights are being taken from us, and we are letting it happen.

[Misanthrope2]

People are just frustrated and think a draft might end the war. I agree that the draft is slavery to the corporate socialists. No draft, no war.

[pingzing58]

I believe a draft would be fair to all especially the children of Republican chickenhawks. Loopholes must be closed. Remember Tom Tancredo avoided service in Vietnam by declaring that he suffered from clinical depression.

[larry278]

The DRAFT ad will be ignored because nobody believes that there will be a United States of America 10 years from now. The fragments of the former USA which might still be populated by the fragments of the human race which have survived the life ending conditions which W & co's policies triggered won't be capable of self-government. The new world order of universal anarchy will reign supreme till the human race becomes extinct. The cock roaches who will cover the earth have instinct, not a government, to guide them.

[sierra]

We have to realize that the reality of America's foreign policies have painted us (the people) into a corner...

Both the Dems and Republicans are responsibl­e...

I mentioned above a book by Jeremy Scahill, "Blackwate­r."

Another insightful (among hundreds of others written about our policies)is:

"Killing Hope" US Military and CIA Interventions Since WW2" By William Blum....

sierra

[JFHill]

Everybody gets drafted this time: Men, women, undecided, hermaphrodites, rich kids, poor kids, everybody!

Take them away from the schoolyards in trucks, semis.

I did not resist the draft out of any moral sense. I did not have a moral sense until I was thirty-five. I resisted the draft because it wasn't the Reds who threatened my life, it was the Red, White and Blues.

So, never fear a new draft. They'll screw it up worse than they did the last time, if they're fool enough to follow through on it (and they may be, considering who they are and what they've done).

Maybe Spike will do his remake of Eisenstein's "Potemkin.­" "Draft Board" might be a good provisional title.

[Whatnow]

Anytime America goes to war we should start a draft. The new recruits could start training and be ready to deploy when necessary. It would also get the country in a combat mode mentally and ready to lose more than they will gain. Some of us learned from Vietnam. No war is good. And only death will be gained. The Iraq situation had years and years of diplomatic work to be done before bombing started. Cuba comes to mind. This is a sick world we live in, sick rulers, and stupid citizens.

[coastalcarla]

You must not have any children of draft age to make a statement like that. My son turns 19 this month. And he's perfectly healthy and has already registered (as the law demands). The hell if my son is going to go over to that meat gringer because some rich idiot decides to go to war! If we were actually defending our country that would be one thing. But this is just a field trip to make Bush and Cheney richer than they already are. And since they no nothing about military strategy, we've gotten ourselves into an unholy mess over there. Now why should my son have to suffer because we have idiots in the Whitehouse?? This is bullshit.

[rmreddicks]

And anytime the U.S. of A. goes to war there should be a tax to pay for it. Preferably a tax levied on those who stand to benefit from wars such as this one. But, there is a tax. Poor and middle class folks are paying the tax in the form of the lives of their sons & daughters or mothers and fathers. A decrease in their living standards (something has to pay for this war). The Iraqi's and Afghani's and prisoners in those countries and Guantanamo and the remanded are paying a sadly similar, heavy tax. Somehow we're collecting that tax. Where it will be paid out in the future....

[jmndodge]

Perhaps its time to oppose the war, and support the draft. Elite officals commanding idealistic, poor, patriotic and mercenary fighters tend to expand military intervention without opposition of the population unless and until the whole population is affected through compulsary military service. We are all responsible for the militaristic stance of America, oppose the war now, and insist that sacrifice becomes shared. Draft, tax, and personal accountability.