Iraq War Quagmire Deepens

From Veterans for Common Sense:

VCS Weekly Update:
This week brings more ominous news about the lost Iraq War.
In 1994, Vice President Dick Cheney knew that invading and occupying Iraq would be a quagmire. Cheney, who went to the "Dark Side" to promote torture, predicted an Iraq occupation loss on video tape.

Rising casualties, more allegations of torture, the looming return of the draft, plus rampant and illegal proselytizing at the Pentagon each signal an Administration in very serious turmoil during its final 17 months.

Last week VCS reported there were 1,7200 casualties in July 2007, more than 55 per day. The U.S. total of killed, wounded, injured, and ill rose to 67,000 for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

A shocking report describing torture was released by the family of a British resident held prisoner of war by the U.S. VCS opposes torture because it undermines our moral authority and places our troops at increased risk when they are captured.

President George W. Bush's new 'War Czar,' Lieutenant General Douglas Lute, said the military draft is now "on the table." Multiple deployments, rising casualties, and difficulties recruiting now put college students at risk for the first time since the draft ended more than 30 years ago.
A draft will spark a swift public backlash against the war. If the highly combustable draft issue ignites, then college campuses may explode with anti-war ferver. Voter registration drives and protests will begin among those previously too busy with classes and shopping.

The Administration can rely on an alliance of Republicans and a handful of Democrats to quickly pass any draft law they seek - the same coalition that approved Bush's brutal torture policies and his illegal domestic spying on innocent civilians.

In other news, the Department of Defense's Inspector General found rampant and illegal proselytizing by Generals at the Pentagon. The IG report revealed that partisan political appointees were abusing their positions to promote religion at VA and other government agencies.
VCS believes the use of a government position to promote religion on government property and on government time is unconstitutional. Those involved in this scandal must resign because we expect unbiased public servants. The political appointees should read our Constitution and learn about the critical importance of separation of Church and State in our democracy. One General Boykin is enough.
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