What I haven't seen anyone talking about is the new rules for deployment within our military reserves. I've got a close friend who is in the Reserves and just got back from Iraq around a year ago. Now, he should have 4 more years before he can be deployed again. With new rules taking effect last week, he can be deployed again now, and for as long as they decide. He was 4 years away from military retirement and was convinced he would stay till then. Now he's seriously thinking about getting out in June when he can. He says this is going to kill any sort of reserves because you might as well be active duty if this is the sort of life you'll have. At least then you get some more benefits.

Far from supporting and strengthening our troops this administration is breaking our ability to defend ourselves. If they do go ahead with the strikes on Iran probably scheduled for mid-February, we will be at our most vulnerable since before WWII, logistically and strategically. Don't think the strike is coming? Check www.globalsecurity.org and check the counter. Mid Feb is after both carrier groups have arrived and are ready, and it coincides with a major Iranian celebration where they are known for revealing military developments, like new weapons and threats.

-ProfFrink

"A second task we can take on together is to design and establish a volunteer Civilian Reserve Corps. Such a corps would function much like our military reserve. It would ease the burden on the Armed Forces by allowing us to hire civilians with critical skills to serve on missions abroad when America needs them. It would give people across America who do not wear the uniform a chance to serve in the defining struggle of our time."

What in the hell is he talking about, and when did this two-headed calf spring to life in the White House imagination?

When Bush read those words from his teleprompter, my bullshit sensor started going off the scale. "Such a corps would function much like our military reserve."

We already have "such a corps," it's called the National Guard! Sweet Jesus!

And then, what the hell is this?

"...hire civilians with critical skills to serve on missions abroad when America needs them."

Is this J.F.K.'s Peace Corps, but only now it's going to be Bush's "War Corps?" And what's he going for here? Is this another way to fight wars on the cheap without having to provide his civilian legions with veteran's benefits and services? What's this going to cost and who is going to run it?

Finally:

I really didn't like hearing, once again, from our bat-shit crazy Christo-fascist who thinks he hears God talking to him telling Americans that, "It would give people across America who do not wear the uniform a chance to serve in the defining struggle of our time."

So this is it, huh? The defining struggle talk again? America is headed for the last big battle as defined in the book of Revelation, the battle of Armageddon, the return of the anti-Christ, the final torment, and then the Rapture! Beam Bush up, Jesus.

I can picture Bush's un-uniformed civilian corps acting as brown shirts spreading out from the Christian pulpits of the warehouse Churches like Ted Haggard used to run, restoring the "purity" of the American people and eradicating the unbelievers to prepare for the "end times."

I think Bush has gone around the bend.

We heard another word last night that has not been uttered: Bush called upon Congress to send "Reinforcements" to Iraq.

No more Rovian, Dan Bartlett-like "marketing the war" language like "Surge" and "Supplimental."

He's telling Congress that he needs to send in REINFORCEMENTS.

Custer called for reinforcements at the Little Bighorn.

A military commander sends in reinforcements only when he has failed to achieve his objective when on the offensive and only when he needs to save his army from a tactical defeat.

Bush just let out a yelp and cry for reinforcements.

The significance of this word is not lost on military men and women and it can't really build confidence that their commander in chief knows what the hell he's got them into.

Yeah, otherwise known as a Boob Job.

Appropriate, for this Maladministration.

These GOP lemmings have a tiger by the tail with this Jim Webb guy. He's the straight shooter Bush always fashioned himself as but never had the substance, articulation, or clarity of vision to pull off. If I were Palosi, I'd have him over for a dinner or two as a strategist for anything the Dems would try. He is a clear thinker if ever we've seen one.

Uh oh. Will this have some sort of tie-in with people like Blackwater Security and Custer Battles? Or will there be some sort of clause that if you miss a training session with them, you get "activated" into the Army? And most important of all, will this Civilian Reserve Corps have "a champagne outfit" for the sons of the wealthy and powerful?

I probably shouldn't worry, I'm sure this was a throwaway feelgood line that ADD George will never follow through on. Actually, I would like the idea of people doing some kind of national or public service so they grow up feeling they owe more to their country than taxes (and the Republicans don't even think they should have to pay taxes!). It's just that I don't trust the current crazies in the White House as far as I could throw the White House.

Can it be that Bush is talking about an Ex-Officio paramilitary outfit that is outside the restrictions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, just like Custer Battles and Blackwater Security were?

It's brilliant! America hires mercenaries and sends them abroad to do the dirty things, completely immune from prosecution. And if they are captured and tortured? What the hell! No problem. They are not "our troops."

And if they come back maimed and in need of life-long disability care? Well, the hell with 'em! They were just "contractors" and the responsibility for what happens to them rests solely with their contractor.

You are completely right, MAV. I should have thought of that possibility first. It's just the kind of slimy, sneaky crap that would dribble out of the diseased brain of a Neo Con.