The Washington Times Acknowledges The Question

Well, the Washington Times has finally let someone Ask The Question:

War supporters should serve or be quiet

The Heritage Foundation study cited by Rowan Scarborough and Amy Fagan in "Rangel's call for new military draft rebuffed" (Page 1, Tuesday, Nov. 21) is based on Clinton administration data from 1999 and cannot demonstrate, as claimed, that "children of higher-income parents increased their enlistment numbers after the September 11 attack."

If the war on terror is so important to our nation, one cannot avoid asking why no political leader has called on Americans eligible to serve to consider volunteering for military service, even if they plan other careers later in life.

No member of the extended Bush clan has served in the war on terror. Few [Bush Rangers (raised $200,000+), Bush Pioneers ($100,000-$199,999)] senior administration officials, right-wing media figures or neocon think tank members personally know any enlisted service members. Who is or was the best-connected Wounded Warrior in Walter Reed's Ward 57? Certainly not anybody they know.

If the national leadership establishment of our current governing party were indeed participating in the war on terror, wouldn't the White House and the Republican National Committee want to publicize this with actual examples?

KARL OLSON
New York City

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