Jay Bookman: Why would anyone enlist now?

[question everything]

The Daily Breeze

Monday, May 16, 2005

Why would anyone enlist now?

Americans losing faith with government and with reasons nation went to war in Iraq.
By Jay Bookman

Last month, Army recruiters fell 42 percent short of their goal, according to the Army Recruiting Command. They had hoped to sign up 6,600 volunteers; but despite bonuses of up to $20,000 for those willing to report by May 30, they fell 2,779 recruits short.

Those numbers are ominous. If they continue in the months to come, as seems likely, they threaten not merely our ability to stick it out in Iraq, but also the Army's long-term ability to perform its duties worldwide. And the reason for that decline is obvious.

(snip)

Blair was also told that the "most likely timing in U.S. minds for military action to begin was January, with the timeline beginning 30 days before the U.S. congressional elections." That description is damning, indicating that the Bush administration cynically manipulated its war plans to create maximum political advantage for Republican congressional candidates.

(snip)

The intelligence was being fixed ... little discussion of the aftermath. Amazing.

So yes, a nation can be fooled into war by its own leaders. We've learned that much. But unless that war is short and successful, there's a price to be paid. In this case, what began as an optional war has morphed into a war of great importance. But now, when our leaders tell us that, fewer Americans believe them, and fewer still are willing to die for it.

Jay Bookman is the deputy editorial page editor of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. His e-mail address is [email protected].

Find this article at:
http://www.dailybreeze.com/opinion/articles/1584477.html

[yorkiemommie1]

1. wow ... in the Daily Breeze, eh?

They're pretty much rw shills which is why I don't read them any more...except for the local news ( that being how our LOCAL politicians are screwing us! )

[cyr330]

2. They'd have to be nuts

To enlist in the military now. We have the right wing crazies to blame for ruining the armed forces of this country, not to mention causing the unnecessary deaths of 1600 American citizens and countless Iraqis.

If the time comes that we have to mobilize more forces elsewhere, we are FUCKED. I am certainly not pro-military in the sense that I support military action which I don't, but these people enlisted in the military with the understanding that they would receive the support of their own government, and that hasn't happened. It's shameful.