I was hoping McCain would not go in that direction, but today he began sounding more like Bush, attacking Obama and Clinton as candidates who would leave this country to the terrorists.

I don't believe that for a second. No president, Republican or Democrat, is going to sell this country out.

So I am back in the Obama and Clinton camps. Still undecided which, but getting closer to a final decision.

Poor John is out of touch with the majority of the folks, who believe we should set a timetable for leaving Iraq.

Hey, if you witnessed the pure evil of these bad guys for 5.5 years like Mr. McCain, you'd take the threat of terrorist evil-doers seriously, too.

Herb

Herb, I am not one to push for an immediate pullout. It has to be orderly, but I want limited times for troops to be there and a timetable for withdrawal. If we are to stay too long, I want a draft so no one has to do more than one tour.

If McCain is just going to duplicate Bush's mistakes, he will not win.

Thats a plan to get a lot of US soldiers killed. The most combat deaths occur to soldiers in their first 90 days of combat, Historically. We currently have a professional military, that is combat tested. You start throwing a bunch of freshly trained grunts in there and combat deaths/injuries will skyrocket.

So, I guess you would not have minded staying in Vietnam for 5 years. One was enough for me.

A great many of the troops send to Iraq are reservists who lack equipment and training.

Anyone have any figures on just how many regular military versus guard and reservists are currently stationed in Iraq? Seems to me that the regular corps should be the largest contigency deployed.

Sorry, I only know reservists and they have all done at least two tours.

And they sacrifice more. All for some bogus claim. What are we gonna do when some real problems occurs AT home? Flying them back to the US is gonna take weeks.

What's worse, they can't even draw retirement pay until age 60.

"Herb, I am not one to push for an immediate pullout. It has to be orderly, but I want limited times for troops to be there and a timetable for withdrawal. If we are to stay too long, I want a draft so no one has to do more than one tour."

Radioblogman, as I have no military training, I defer to you and Nwokie on the specifics. We all want our soldiers safe and home pronto. I guess the main thing is how to address any withdrawal. Thankfully, the surge designed by Mr. McCain and General Petraeus seems to be working. Personally, I wish we'd bring our guys and gals home from Germany and Korea, too.

Herb

I spent 3 years in Vietnam, and most carreer NCO's I know from that period spent 3-5 years in Vietnam.

As of this past January, a Reservist/Gusrdsmen can retire 6 months early, for every 6 months in a combat zone. Only combat time earned as of Jan 1 2008 counts.

Thanks for your honourable service to our country, Nwokie and Radioblogman. I'm not worthy to carry your boots...or your M-1's.

Herb

Thanks for the update Nwokie.

Herb, I don't feel special just because I served.

I saw my duty and I did it, just as my dad did in WWII. I came from a military family, so service was ingrained in me.

But I do not hold it against anyone who does not want to serve.

And it was an M16 and .45 pistol.

Here is why we need a draft

http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/politics-14/120251454319930. xml&storylist=topstories