Gen. Colin Powell - Should We Bring Back the Draft?

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=1452

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell gives his thoughts on reinstating a military draft.

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Jim Lehrer interviews General Colin Powell at the 2007 Aspen Ideas Festival.

Some of the most inspired and provocative thinkers, writers, artists, business people, teachers and other leaders drawn from myriad fields and from across the country and around the world all gathered in a single place - to teach, speak, lead, question, and answer at the 2006 Aspen Ideas Festival. Throughout the week, they all interacted with an audience of thoughtful people who stepped back from their day-to-day routines to delve deeply into a world of ideas, thought, and discussion.

Gen. Colin L. Powell served as the 65th US Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005. As a professional soldier for 35 years, Sec. Powell held many command and staff positions and rose to the rank of four-star general. From 1989 to 1993, he served as the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the US Department of Defense. During this time, he oversaw many crises, including Operation Desert Storm. He served previously as National Security Advisor to President Reagan. His civilian awards include two Presidential Medals of Freedom, the President’s Citizens Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal, the Secretary of State Distinguished Service Medal, and the Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Medal.

Jim Lehrer is the anchor and executive editor of PBS’'s The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. Lehrer has been honored with numerous awards for journalism, including a presidential National Humanities Medal in 1999. In the last five presidential elections, he moderated ten of the nationally televised candidate debates. Lehrer has written 16 novels. His latest, The Phony Marine, was published in November 2006. He also has written two memoirs and three plays. His 17th novel, Eureka, will be published in fall 2007.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• armed
• forces
• soldiers
• conscription
• troops
• surge
• iraqi
• bush
• administration
• baghdad
• occupation
• army
• national
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• foratv
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[SonicProwler15]

I will fight no war unless MY home is attacked. I was born in it and I will defend it. However I will not fight someone else's war because I live in his country, curently.

[Rickdeckard2020]

Is Rockefeller jewish? I didnt know that.

Real problems like Dictators (Pinochet, Saddam, Shah) are created by the US in the first place. Pinochet was put in place after Rockefeller bitched to Kissenger about Allende's impact of Chase banking, who then with Nixon gave the go head for the coup. Saddam was a CIA thug, and supported by the US! The Shah was put to help plunder Iranian Oil after Mossadeq nationalised oil. As I said I dont blame you for not knowing though.

[AndrewChan84]

Another Masonic lost soul waiting God's judgement.....

[AndrewChan84]

A draft is ALWAYS a political tool, and never a military necessity. A soldier who volunteers will have the enthusiasm to learn the skills but a conscript will just be a burden to everyone on the battlefield because he doesn't want to be there.

People who like the army who just wants everybody to be drafted are just assholes wanting to haze and kick other people ass who are not so enthusiastic.

[LastXdeth]

I am desperate for a draft, but I already enlisted, so not a problem currently.

[LBBSTOMAJCCDP]

@satv365 do you really think the corrupt government cares? please. The Drug War is making them desperate. Start using your noggin'

[LBBSTOMAJCCDP]

@satv365 Military service is compulsory in Mexico. Have fun with that.

[b991228]

We don't need a draft we need a sensible foreign policy. We have to learn to live with the other nations throughout the world. We have to stop being violent tyrants who demand that nations do it our way or die.

[kickit007]

We definitely need the draft because then our population will exert more control over our gov. via voting. and the draft would unify us and bring everybody together for the same cause whether we like it or not

[jeterlover03]

@lischeyboy615 yeah well when the Presidents(any president) along with the rest of congress' kids go to war then I'll send my kid!!!!

[jeterlover03]

@SonicProwler15 WELL SAID!!!!!!!! I am not unpatriotic because I would not fight in that bullshit war. This war has nothing to do with me...just the people who own this country, and then they try to use bullshit propaganda. "The terriorists are coming". Fear will not control me. Ben Franklin said: "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."