posted on November 24, 2004 07:57:50 PM new
Wonder how long Bush will be able to put off starting the draft up again. Yeah, yeah--he's sworn that there won't be a draft. But with his current policies, that's a promise he'll have to renege on.
No, I'm not clairvoyant. But when the military begins calling back 53 year-olds that haven't seen combat since they were 19 years-old in the Vietnam War, you know that they're getting desperate for manpower.
Vietnam Vet, 53, Called for Duty in Iraq
Wed Nov 24, 2004 05:33 PM ET
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - A 53-year-old Vietnam veteran from western Pennsylvania has been called up for active service with the U.S. military in the Iraq war, The Tribune Review of Greensburg, Pennsylvania reported on Wednesday.
Paul Dunlap, a sergeant in the Army National Guard, will join an armored division next month as a telecommunications specialist in Kuwait, and expects to be there for at least a year, the newspaper reported.
Dunlap, who has not been in combat since serving as a 19-year-old Marine in Vietnam, could not be reached for comment. He will leave behind his wife Mary, four children and three grandchildren.
"I don't think any of them want me to go," Dunlap told the paper. "I'm thinking it's a long time since I've been in war."
Dunlap, from the town of Pleasant Unity, near Greensburg, Pennsylvania, said he received a call from his sergeant major and was told to report for a soldier readiness program, the newspaper said.
Dunlap's wife was quoted as saying the entire family "prayed that he wouldn't pass his physical."
"It's very, very scary," she said. "He's been a soldier since I met him, but there's a part of me that wonders at 53: Is he going to be up to doing what he needs to do over there?"
Critics of the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq have argued that the current level of U.S. troops there is too low to control an insurgency that has destabilized the country since the ouster of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
The dependence of full-time troops on national guard members such as Dunlap shows the military is stretched too thin in Iraq and elsewhere, critics say.
posted on November 24, 2004 08:10:40 PM new
Seems to me like at 53, he might have given some thought as to whether he was playing soldier or really committed. If he was really committed to the military, he should be ready to go.
I think Bush and Kerry both were nuts to promise there wouldn't be a draft. It's only a matter of time, if things keep up like they have been, and that seems to be what the President promised us.
____________________________________________
Dick Cheney: "I have not suggested there's a connection between Iraq and 9/11..."
posted on November 24, 2004 08:27:28 PM new
"But when the military begins calling back 53 year-olds that haven't seen combat since they were 19 years-old in the Vietnam War, you know that they're getting desperate for manpower."
Men at age 53 fought in Vietnam. Most had never seen combat. You learn quick no matter what your age is.
Kuwait is not not combat, but those that are age 53 in Iraq, would be more than glad to refreah him, should he make it to Iraq.
posted on November 27, 2004 10:25:38 PM new
And of course, "Bush" can't bring back the draft, only Congress can. Earliest estimate I've seen is about 3 yrs.
posted on November 28, 2004 08:06:18 AM new
This 53 year old didn't have a problem drawing a check for being in the National Guard... they have been sending them overseas for how long now?
He needs to just shut his pie hole and do as he is told...
If he is unfit to go to Iraq, he should be discharged from he National Guard immediately... then he won't ever have to worry about this again.
posted on November 28, 2004 10:31:37 AM new
""""Sounds like a typical democrat-wants the goodies,but doesnt want to pay for it.""""
What! It's Republicans who don't want to pay taxes to pay for THEIR goodies. They will vote for anything or anybody who promises their taxes will be cut without a thought to the consequences of less taxes. They are too stupid to realize that taxes pay for fees, services,etc., that they now have to pay MORE FOR!
HA! Here in Minnesota they're whining about their property taxes going up. WELL, what do you expect when the REPUBLICAN Governor cuts other taxes??????
Ya can't steal it all back from the Indians(even though the racist Republicans are sure trying).
