Let's hope this wasn't some kind of trial balloon.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson gave qualified support yesterday to renewing the draft - a suggestion that rattled the White House.
"I think that our society would benefit from that, yes, sir," Nicholson said of replacing the all-volunteer force with a tough draft purged of the deferments that allowed many to avoid service in Vietnam."I think if we bring back the draft, there should be no loopholes for anybody who happens to be drafted," he said. "If it's a random system, it ought to be an honestly random system."
Shortly thereafter, a White House spokesperson insisted, "The administration is not considering reinstating the draft."
Still, Nicholson's comments are a little disconcerting, aren't they?