There is not going to be a draft. In fact the entire plan of a 21st century US military prohibits a draft. Donald Rumsfeld has spoken extensively about this --- repeatedly. He says that the new force structure should be too specialized and require too much training for there to be a draft. A draft would also cost a lot of additional money.

The Wall Street Journal has written extensively about countries with conscription also are the ones with worst prepared militaries. The paper's example was Belgium, where their military essentially is a benefits-laden long-term civil service job.

So not only is the cabinet leadership speaking at length that there should be no draft, but also conservative journalists and policy experts write extensively making the case against a draft.

The draft is only used as a tool to scare young people --- something I would argue is morally questionable. Think about it -- the intention of the entire government and public policy writers is to not create a draft. So the motive to keep bringing up a draft is what? To scare people? Is that admirable? Is that even intellectually honest?

I guess my point is to just think about what you are saying here. I know people feel strongly against the war, which I respect.

Furthermore, all the soldiers you saw in the Atlanta airport volunteered for what they are doing. I do not see any way you can think of them as victims.... they volunteered. The country as one collective mass did not make them go.

On an interesting note, around Christmas, I ran into a friend of mine (gay) who was in the Army, and then later he stayed in the reserves. He actually *reenlisted* back into the Army for Iraq last year.

One small example that apparently there is ample interest in military service, and not cause to reinstate the draft.

I actually wanted to go into the Navy when I was a kid. I think in my teen years I figured out I was gay, and opted out of all that. Others did, and I actually respect them for joining the military.... something I chose not to do.

Steve