Loose cannons

The all-volunteer army I

"Soldiers from a Fort Carson combat unit say they have been issued an ultimatum — re-enlist for three more years or be transferred to other units expected to deploy to Iraq. Hundreds of soldiers from the [US Army's] 3rd Brigade Combat Team were presented with that message and a re-enlistment form in a series of assemblies last Thursday, said two soldiers who spoke on condition of anonymity. — Associated Press, September 17.

The all-volunteer army II

"Under current [US] Army practice, members of Iraq-bound units are 'stop-lossed', meaning they could be retained in the unit for an entire year in Iraq, even if their active-duty enlistment expires." — Associated Press, September 17.

The free and fair election

"Millions of US citizens, including a disproportionate number of black voters, will be blocked from voting in the Nov. 2 presidential election because of legal barriers, faulty procedures or dirty tricks, according to civil rights and legal experts." — Reuters, September 21.

Freudian slip

"These people are trying to shake the will of the Iraqi citizens, and they want us to leave. That's what they want us to do. And I think the world would be better off if we did leave." — Emperor George Bush II, September 20.

From Green Left Weekly, September 29, 2004.

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From GLW issue 600