Opinion

Published on Friday, September 14, 2007

Column

Are you ready for another war — or draft?
By BUDDY HANSON

Neo-conservatives are waiting for an excuse to invade Iran.

According to rhetoric from Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas), Iran is the next neo-conservative target. Should the invasion occur, there is the possibility that a national draft will follow suit.

“If they can get the incident that really excites and incites the American people, then they will have a draft,” said Paul, a 2008 Republican presidential candidate, in a recent radio interview.

Are you ready for another controversial war – let alone a national military draft?

Paul explained the intentions of neo-conservatives in the radio interview with radio host and political activist, Alex Jones.

According to Paul, the neo-conservatives are pushing for an invasion of Iran without considering the potentially disastrous effects of such an ill-conceived military action.

“It scared me a little bit about how ready [the neo-conservatives] are ... they’re talking about [the invasion of Iran] all the time,“ said Paul.

According to Paul, neo-conservatives, including the Bush Administration, first initiated the idea of attacking Iraq before 9/11.

“The plans have been laid [for Iran] just as the plans were laid to go into Iraq a long time before they did, but they had to wait for the right opportunity,” said Paul in the interview.

Politicians could not, however, initiate offensive military action against Iraq without at least some degree of public support. Then, 9/11 occurred, catalyzing public opinion.

At this point in time, the neo-conservatives do not have the excuse or support they need to invade Iran. They are in the same situation they were in before 9/11.

So what happens now?

“If I were betting, I’d bet that they will attack Iran before the end of this administration in the next year or so ... it’s a suicidal mission for us to pursue this,” said Paul.

Shortly after listening to this interview, I tried to imagine the effects of yet another meaningless war: Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Iraq, and now, possibly, Iran.

Here we are, once again, faced with yet another potentially disastrous string of political events.

When Paul discussed the possibilities of a national draft, it did not take me long to consider the fact that, if Paul is indeed correct, I could very well be swept up by the U.S. Selective Service and dropped off in Iran.

I doubt that an invasion of Iran or a military draft is, at this time, among the interests of the American public.


By Stephen  |  Friday, September 14, 2007  |  8:12 am
Why do so many people take Ron Paul seriously? Does anybody really think that this administration sometime in the next sixteen months will be able to invade Iran? It took longer than that to decide to invade Iraq after 9/11. If plans were in place, and the administration used 9/11 as an excuse and it took us eighteen months to finally invade, why should we seriously consider what Ron Paul is asserting? Ron Paul is a hack trying to get attention. He really isn't a strong candidate, despite what people on YouTube think.
Comment On This Article

All comments are moderated before being published. We will not edit your comments, but we also will not approve those that are abusive, off-topic, attack another poster or contain information we know to be libelous or false.

During peak weekday viewing times, most comments will be reviewed within six hours. For more detailed information, click here.

After submitting your comment, check below for a confirmation message.


  • Your name:
  • Enter text from image:
  • Your comment:
Sign up to receive Northern Star headlines in your inbox, delivered weekdays at 6 a.m.


Feedback? E-mail us.
Question of the Day
Where do you prefer to meet new friends?
Campus party or bar.
Not in a party atmosphere.
I don't meet new people.

Real-time updates of recently viewed articles on the site.

1  WMU cornerback provides test for NIU

2  Local reaction to McCain's convention speech

3  Democrats in tight race for November ballot in...

4  Underoath succeeds under pressure

5  The Gaslight Anthem recreates their sound