Actually Chief, I'm perfectly willing to change my mind if anyone can make a rational argument that is supported by evidence or observable facts. I certianly changed my support for %$%$%$%$'s Iraq policy once I had enough evidence to know how I had been betrayed and manipulated.

The issue of the backdoor draft has less to do with contracts, as it does with the why's and how's of the usage of our troops most notably the Guard and Reserves.

-spence

8 years?? that is what people sign for now? When I was in it was 6, but that was many moons ago.

Spence, the guard and reserve exist to accomplish what they are now doing. Alot of kids join thinking it's one weekend a month and 2 weeks a year. But that is not their purpose. Their purpose is so we don't have a huge standing full time military. The Guard and Reserves have jobs and specialties that the active military doesn't have.

For instance, Naval Reservist run and own the mobile inshore undersea warfare units, there are none in active duty. These units monitor security in near shore areas and riverine enviorments. These units are very busy now, before the USS Cole got blown up, they were never called up, now they are never stood down.

The observable fact is that I went on 5 six month deployments to the Persian Gulf between 1990 and 2004 (that's 2 and 1/2 years of my life). The reason for these deployments where to enforce UN sanctions against Iraq. These sanction where toothless and now we find out that the oil we let flow from Iraq made it to Saddams pockets anyways. Before we invaded Iraq, there was another UN resolution made. That resolution would have worked as well as the first ones. Instead, we attacked. So now when the UN makes a demand or resolution countries will listen and they will be worth more than just a piece of paper.

8 years Mac

You know what I chose not to care what Spence thinks. There always has to be one liberal hand wringer to keep the rest of us warmongers from going to far. Like the guy playing the guitar in Animal House. I call it "to french" a situation.

It was 6 when I was in too. ended up doing 7, then met the wife and, well, you know how that goes:D