The Beat Goes On

So with all of the crazy politics going on here in the states, it's easy to forget that people are still killing each other for no apparent reason over in the middle east. The U.S death toll hit 4,000 yesterday while the Iraqis have apparently lost track. The media sure does love those nice round numbers, don't they? No worries though...our fearless leader has weighed in:

"One day, people will look back at this moment in history and say, 'Thank God there were courageous people willing to serve, because they laid the foundations for peace for generations to come,' " he said. "I have vowed in the past and I will vow so long as I'm president to make sure that those lives were not lost in vain; that, in fact, there's an outcome that will merit the sacrifice that civilian and military alike have made."

While we're in this, I certainly hope he's right. If I can look back at this war someday and be able to comfortably say that it laid the foundation for peace for my children and their children, maybe I can look at this presidency a little more fondly. Right now, I can't envision me ever thinking that he's anything more than a fucking dope.

Comments

[Jackie]

G.W.B. 4,000

Osama 2,975

Show a little fucking respect, Vandelay.

[mikey]

4,000? Eh, it's OK. It was an "all-volunteer" force, according to Cheney. Besides, "The president carries the biggest burden, obviously..." [read] Yes, our poor president.

(Yes, I realize that technically, it is an all volunteer force. But I don't think people volunteered to put their lives on the line for Halliburton's financial security.)

[daveNYC]

Yep, all-volunteer, which is why most people who have job options that don't involve getting shot at don't volunteer.

There's something to be said for re-starting up the draft and spreading the pain.

[Crazy Joe Davola]

Hmmm...what about every able bodied person has to serve their time -- as opposed to the draft.

[Art Vandelay]

Hmmm...what about every able bodied person has to serve their time -- as opposed to the draft.

You mean like a draft with no age/gender requirements?

[Crazy Joe Davola]

I was referring to the Israeli method where everyone has to serve. I don't know very much about it, to be honest.

[daveNYC]

There's a fair number of countries that require a year or two of service from everyone*. Wouldn't be too bad if there were options in addition to just learning how to kill people, the thought of what GWB would be up to if the military were even double the size is an ugly thought. We'd probably be overextending our troops in three or four countries, instead of just two.

* For a given value of everyone.

[TMan]

In Germany, each person on their 18th birthday elects either two years of military service or four years of part-time social service (e.g. driving an ambulance on the weekends). Seems like a better idea to me.

[Jack Klompus]

"Wouldn't be too bad if there were options in addition to just learning how to kill people"

There's more to it than just learning how to kill people, but I'm sure you already knew that.

"We'd probably be overextending our troops in three or four countries, instead of just two."

That's assuming a good portion of the balance of those not already volunteering wouldn't be like the Sagueneens' goalie.

[Mr. Kruger]

it's easy to forget that people are still killing each other for no apparent reason over in the middle east.

Actually, they have a very good reason. It's called a power struggle and there sitting on the second largest oil reserves in the entire world. The amount of potential wealth and power up for grabs is almost inconceivable.

[Art Vandelay]

The amount of potential wealth and power up for grabs is almost inconceivable.

Wouldn't it have been cheaper to just buy it?