The folly of 'stop loss' (Confederates Used, Lincoln didn't)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04354/428660.stm

<snip>

The spring of 1863 has some similarities to the winter of 2004. Both found the country mired in a war that was clearly lasting longer than prewar projections (there were also unanticipated problems with occupying captured territory and how to restore democratic institutions, but that is an analogy for another day). There was concern for what would happen when the soldiers' enlistment terms ended if they chose to return home.

In Iraq the unilateral action of the government means that we do not know how the soldiers would have reacted if given the choice to extend or end their tour of duty. The Abraham Lincoln administration had some idea what might happen since 38 of 40 two-year regiments chose to muster out in May 1863. In the next year, over 500 three-year regiments enlistment terms would end and if the re-enlistment rate was as low there would not be enough soldiers to continue offensive campaigning in 1864.

The Lincoln administration did not enact its own "stop loss" program because of a legal precedent that the Bush administration should also consider.

<snip>

The Bush administration's Iraq policy resembles how the Confederacy resolved a similar manpower crisis by retroactively making all enlistments last for the duration of the war.

As I would expect from the current U.S. Supreme Court, the Confederacy's Supreme Court upheld the action so that the South legally retained all of its soldiers. Anticipating the double-speak of the current situation, the Confederate Army launched a re-enlistment campaign to motivate soldiers to sign on for an extended term but it was recognized by the soldiers as a sham -- one's tour of duty would be extended regardless.

[scarletlib]

1. That's why I love history!

Great article.

[Botany]

2. How the South went on to win and control America

The following is the true history of America. O.K. it helps if you are crazy, too.

General Grant should have shot Lee at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. After all he was a traitor who fought for the right to keep his fellow man as salves.
But Grant thought he did the right thing and let General Lee ride off on old Traveler. That is where all the shit started for the blue people of America.

So General Lee rode off to help start Standard Oil, with John David R.. Which over time started drilling in Tex ASS and that brought in the interlopers from the east called the Bushies. Who sank some of the money that Prescott bush got dealing with the Nazis into oil drilling.

And that beget redneck oil workers who were pacified with booze, hunting, pussy, football, and a blond haired blue eyed Jesus that hates people. Those workers flew the Stars and Bars from the drilling rigs.

And as a young man, the grandson of Prescott Bush, fell from one of the rigs while hanging a Rebel flag for his frat.

Close to death he was found by Dick Cheney, Saleim bin Laden, and Ken Lay who had a transmitter put into his back and said "We will rule the world through you." Young Mr. bush, just smirked and took a line of toot from the great great grandson of Stonewall Jackson. Who gave him a ride home in the Carlyle helicopter.

Sing it with me "The night they drove old Dixie down ..... and all the people were singing ....."