of the draft is just the first of the changes we can expect

from such a catastrophe."

THE DRAFT: SSS is 95% ready for the "Combat Induction Process" to begin.

December 16, 2004

There's only one way the American people will accept the reinstatement of the draft. There would have to be "a massive casualty-producing event" on American soil. That's it.

There's simply no other way Bush can get the popular support needed. And, since we're able to figure that out, it's certain that White House planners-and-schemers have figured it out, too. This sets us up for some very ugly scenarios, including the possibility that we'll be seeing more terrorist "events" sometime in the near future.

We're hearing stories almost daily about how "stretched" the military is. A recent army survey discovered that only half the soldiers are planning to re-enlist.(snip) Those who watched CBS, 60 Minutes last Sunday saw how the Defense Dept has even called a 55 year old woman back to duty to serve in Iraq. [and a 70year old retired doctor].

These are signs of desperation, and a clear indication that the draft will be reinstated.Casualties in Iraq are also high, increasing the pressure on the Pentagon to come up with more men.

Consider the comments of Paul Craig Roberts in a recent Counterpunch article:"According to the US military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, the hospital has treated 20,802 US troops for injuries received in Iraq. According to the Pentagon's figures, 54% of the wounded are too seriously injured to return to their units. If that figure is correct, it would mean that the insurgents have put 11,233 US troops out of action. Add in the 1,254 US troops who have been killed for a total of 12,487.

That's 9% of our total force in Iraq and a

much higher percentage of our combat force."

9% in less than two years. If that doesn't show how badly the war in Iraq is going, then this will. Roberts says that the Pentagon has begin "redeploying the disabled" because "we have no more troops to throw at the few thousand lightly armed Iraqi insurgents who have tied down eight US divisions."

"Redeploying the disabled"? Are you kidding me?

Ironically, the plight of the falling dollar also creates greater urgency for a draft. Part of the Bush plan was to underwrite America's enormous $7trillion debt by controlling the world's oil. The administration wizards figured that the tax cuts and lavish defense spending would be offset by a quick wrap-up of the Iraq conflict. Foreign countries would then be forced to carry our debt because we would have shown our determination to control the world's oil. It hasn't worked that way.

American forces are bogged down and the flow of oil from Iraq is erratic at best.(snip)

$28 million has been (covertly) diverted from other programs to get the SSS up-and-running.Nearly $8 million was spent on "Increasing the effectiveness of the Manpower Delivery Systems". In other words, how to get your son [anddaughter] quickly into a uniform and off to Iraq.

No minute detail has escaped the attention of the SSS. Even the procedures for processing Conscientious Objectors (now,called Alternate Service) is covered in excruciating detail. Overall, it's proof-positive that Washington understands that present troop levels are unsustainable and is preparing for a draft.

Right now, the SSS is 95% ready for the "Combat Induction Process" to begin. All that's needed is the word from Bush to set things in motion. The"trigger mechanism" will probably come in the form of a "massive casualty-producing event" on American soil.

The return of the draft is just the first of the changes we can expect from such a catastrophe.

###

FULL TEXT OF ARTICLE: http://www.counterpunch.com/whitney12162004.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------