You're exactly right , gop_jeff except one small detail. The legislation did not die in committee. I think it is true that it's not actively making it's way through the houses but it is by no means "dead". If and when the time comes for a more serious look at the draft the legislation is ready and written to get it quickly through the committees and to the floors of congress for consideration. But that's the way it's been for years except that just recently the older documents have been brought out for updating and prepared for reconsideration should that become necessary. Of course that word "necessary" is open to considerable interpretation and debate.
I hope the draft is never seriously considered in this country again but given the rapid depletion of forces and deterioration of morale as is plainly demonstrated in Stars and Stripes, Army Times, Air Force Times, Sergeant and several other credible publications I don't see how it can be avoided. Right now the armed forces have stop-gap measures in force that prevent our troops from getting out or retiring voluntarilly. That one fact alone has the NGers and Reservists hopping mad and it is anticipated that when the stop-gap wall comes down the rush to the gates to get the heck out of Dodge will devastate our reserve/standby forces and the regular forces can be expected to be likewise effected.
I don't anticipate, though I did just a few months ago, any rapid return to conscription but to dismiss that it's being considered is just folly. Our all volunteer forces have been doing very well under Republican and Democratic administrations but they've never seen anything like a GWB before. Cutting combat pay, cutting veterans benefits, slashing MWR funding all the while the combat is still on-going and the redeployments after only a few months back home or in safer environments and a lot more will certainly have an effect on wheter or how quickly we see a return to conscription. Another thing to consider is that our troops here at home and those in the fields and war zones (oh, I forgot, the war is over, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED) are seeing first hand how the dollars are being thrown willy nilly to the defense contractors and their labor forces while our troops are scrounging for an extra bottle of water or a mat to sleep on or a blanket to use as a roof.
It's pretty doggone hard for nonvets, the civilians here in the safety of their homes and those that make decisions from behind burly walnut desks to comprehend just what it is that our troops are having to endure all the while watching their guarantees disappear before their very eyes.
