[rbg81]

While I can't stand Hagel (a McCain wannabe), I agree that we probably sent too few troops into Iraq.

The way this conflict is Vietnam like is that we are focused on not losing instead of winning. If we really want to win the WOT, we will probably have to institute a draft and raise the number of troops back to mid-80s levels.

It was a huge missed opportunity when, post 9/11, Bush urged people to "go shopping" instead of enlisting. It also didn't help that Rumsfeld wanted to keep the force small because (a) he wanted to free up resources for Modernization and (b) he believed the Army force structure was obsolete.

Fighting the war the way we are now is like trying to fight WWII with a 1930s force structure. Before all this is said and done, we'll probably need to occupy a large swath of the Middle East. Syria and Iran, definitely. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, perhaps. It would also help if we'd stop going soft on pseudo terrorist regimes (e.g., the PA, Hammas, and Hezbollah in Lebanon).

[rlmorel]

I disagree.

[Modok]

I guess you never heard of a date of September 17, 1862 and a place called Antietam where 3600 were killed and now you want to declare defeat, reinstitute the draft, and reorganize the military. We have not seen the full face of the WOT yet, and some like you are already running for the hills.

[eatdust]

bingo

[listenhillary]

Mandatory military service?

[iconoclast]

Before all this is said and done, we'll probably need to occupy a large swath of the Middle East. Syria and Iran, definitely. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, perhaps. It would also help if we'd stop going soft on pseudo terrorist regimes (e.g., the PA, Hammas, and Hezbollah in Lebanon).

YES! By God!

And without a draft and with more tax cuts and domestic Pork! What a great country! (/sarcasm)