To the Editor:
George Bush mulishly refuses to reassess the worsening situation in Iraq, meaning that we will have troops there for the foreseeable future. And with the critical personnel shortages afflicting the military in Iraq, and the ending of the "back-door" draft (involuntarily extending current tours of duty), what does that leave? Don't be deceived. $28 million has been quietly appropriated for the reinstatement of the draft; the 10,350 draft board and 11,070 appeals board positions are already being quietly staffed by the Pentagon in anticipation of a full-blown draft by June, 2005. The current bills in committee (HR163 and S.89) call for a no-deferment draft for men and women 18 through 26. These bills were proposed by Democrats in order to ensure that privileged young people just like you are not under-represented in Iraq. This is Vietnam Redux, folks. The only candidate likely to end this madness is the only one who ever faced enemy fire.
