Are You a Real American? Be A Man! Enlist!

Well, the latest neocon salvation for Iraq, a Frenchified version of an American Foreign Legion, is back in the news. Given perennial recruiting problems, this is an easy filler of a story, but we've already discussed it before. At least the Boston Globe agrees. Let them know your opinion. Click here.

In addition to all that it means for credible national leadership of our great country [that is, how little is left], there are many practical problems, to wit:

1. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Once you're in the Army and a naturalized American citizen, just say you're not heterosexual (whether true or not is irrelevant), and you're home free.

2. Security clearances. Real Americans (i.e., either native-born or longtime citizens) who have spent time in exotic places learning the languages and living in the culture, have had serious difficulties getting security clearances. Why would new Americans have it any easier? Without security clearances, they're not that useful.

3. Secondary effects. Rep. Virgil Goode (R-VA) may be worried about increasing Muslim immigration to the United States. Well, if we're going to focus on people with special, needed skills, this would facilitate that process. Wouldn't it be easier to focus on inspiring real Americans (including legal immigrants) to Be A Man! Enlist!?

It really requires strategically thinking things through. As we've said before, a country that must outsource its national defense is not worth defending.

Hat tip also to Steve Gilliard.