Bring Back the Draft -- And Stupid Old Canards, Too!

Tom Ricks has a thoughtful poseur just plain dumb piece (H/T, Insty) on reinstating the draft in today’s New York Times. As a libertarian I remain unconvinced of course, especially about the “benefits” of giving Uncle Sam tons of cheap, young labor to do with what he will. Bad as it is, Ricks still can’t help adding a tired zinger to the very end:

But most of all, having a draft might, as General McChrystal said, make Americans think more carefully before going to war. Imagine the savings — in blood, tears and national treasure — if we had thought twice about whether we really wanted to invade Iraq.

Ah, yes — the old “rush to war” canard. That “rush” took nearly two years from 9/11, and involved a scorching national debate which finally ended in a Use of Force Authorization from both houses of Congress.

You might disagree with Bush’s (and Congress’s) decision to go to war. But this argument that we blundered out of haste is tired, worn, and a flat-out lie.

Drop it, Ricks.