[pikesome]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

It is not the USA's job to Police the World. China has commited more human rights violations in the last two years than Saddam ever did. This war is about OIL and thats it. Say it like it is.

And the Russians trumped everyone. You are aware that China is a huge country full of difficult terrain and a huge army with even greater reserves to draw on? It would take a full scale war, not the "police action" like in Iraq, to forcibly change China's behavior. The complaint this is all about oil is not wildly inaccurate but how about the end of gas attacks on the Kurds or kidnappings and torture. The oil isn't going to be ours, we still have to buy it.

As to the US's job as "police", I'm not always in favor of it either. The problem is that no one else in the world seems to be willing to try. The UN, besides being a even bigger pool of graft than our own government, screws up more than it fixes without US leadership. Look up East Timor sometime when you think the UN can do the job.

Where was the USA in Rowanda when kids were getting their arms hacked off? Oh yeah they don't have oil.

Look at this story. I would also point out that Bush Jr wasn't president at this time, was a completely different group making decisions. That said, we should have done something, you are very right.

Don't act like we have ANY justification for being there-let alone sending more brave boys to die. It was voted on under false data and out right lies.

I'm sure I could find a Kurd or two that would argue that we did have a justification to go over there. Saddam gassed them with something. As to the claims of WMD being the reason we went I'm pretty sure that they weren't the only reason. Everyone who has decided they don't want us to be there jumps on this without any mention of the end of the torture and oppression. Or even the idea that we might be able to have a democratic government that won't spend years fighting with neighbors.

As far as death totals-one death was too many. But I am sure you have accurate totals on the women, children and innocent Iraqi's the US has bombed.

So do we outlaw driving, climbing on ladders and all of the other ways that people die? One death is too many, right? Soldiers dieing is bad but much like my police analogy that doesn't mean what we are doing is wrong. It would be nice if some of the Iraqis didn't shot their own people because they are unhappy that they are no longer in power. Or that other Iraqis use this as an opportunity to settle old scores.

Don't be surprised if your retirement papers are pulled soon-they are sending everyone.

I didn't retire, I was discharged after serving my enlistment. The four years after my discharge I would have been at the top of the list to be re-activated but since I served in the Navy that's highly unlikely due to the needs of the Navy. It would be nice if you had some, any, information to back up your wild claims about the draft/re-activation. I would suggest you read this about how the draft works but in case your afraid facts might destroy your fragile little fantasy try reading this:

If the military were to require additional troops after all available reserve personnel had been called to active duty, congress and the president would have to consider reinstating the draft. To reinstate the draft, the congress would have to pass appropriate legislation, and the president would have to approve that legislation.

If the draft kicks in you can thank Nancy and Hillary just as much as Bush. This is the way our government works, it usually takes 2 branches to do a damn thing.