Pentagon Unsure of Iraq Deployments

[leftchick]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/military_reserves&cid=542&ncid=1480


"If we stress (the reservists) too much and have too many multiple call-ups, we're going to reach a point to where you would break," said Thomas Hall, the assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs.


"We're all looking at and trying to" determine where that point is, he added, "while at the same time hoping the world situation will change" and allow a reduction in U.S. forces in Iraq.


"But you sort of have to plan (as if) we had to continue at the present rate," Hall said. "Would that break us, or not? We believe we can sustain that. But could you sustain that for 10 years or 20 years or 30 years?"


<snip>


In what some believe is a foreshadowing of deeper problems, the Army Guard and Reserve have been falling short of their recruiting goals in recent months. Hall, however, said he has been assured by the Guard and Reserve chiefs that over the course of the year they will reach their targets with the help of 2,400 extra recruiters and large new signup bonuses.

[bluestateguy]

1. When does the draft get re-introduced?

Some people here have insisted for months that it would come in March. Well, that time is just about here.

I tend to think the draft will be phased in at the end of this year.

[murray hill farm]

2. Skills draft first half of the year....

followed by all out draft during the second half of 2005.

[LevelB]

6. I'm guessing

it will be within a month after the next al-qaeda attack. "It is with a heavy heart that I am forced to... I do not take this measure lightly...

B.

[aquart]

3. They're "hoping"??? THAT's the plan????????

Jesus H. Christ.

[wordslikelead]

4. huh...30 years? I thought this war was only going to last a few months...

And they told us the elections would solve this. Guess not. Well, I'll be 20 in August, looks like in a couple years time I'll be in Canada. I'd rather go to jail than fight for this facist regime.

[leftchick]

7. a generation at least...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=2281&nc...

Now comes a report in the New York Sun by Eli Lake revealing that the Pentagon (news - web sites) is building a permanent military communications system in Iraq, a necessary foundation for any lasting troop presence. The new network will comprise twelve communications towers throughout Iraq, linking Camp Victory in Baghdad to other existing (and future) bases across the country, eventually connecting with US bases in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan (news - web sites).


"People need to get realistic and think in terms of our presence being in Iraq for a generation or until democratic stability in the region is reached," Dewey Clarridge, the CIA (news - web sites)'s former chief of Arab operations (and Iran-contra point man), told the Sun.

[ausiedownunderground]

5. Good on you, finally a real American Patriot!

Smart move man! We'd hate to have to shoot at people like you. But give us some "Jesusland" red neck
YeeeeeHaaaaaa! Easy meat!