Military Draft To Return?

I've read a few articles stating the draft could return as early as next year. Much of it is hush-hush until after the November election. However, there are House and Senate bills (twin bills S 89 and HR 163) which would "provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons [age 18--26] in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes."

I did some checking and found that Snopes.com, the well-known "Urban Legend" debunking web site, had already commented on this topic in May. I've read several Snopes entries in the past and they've been very convincing and complete; yet in this case, much doubt remains after reading the attempt to clarify things.

Snopes does NOT categorically dismiss the notion and in fact confirms the twin House and Senate bills do indeed exist. If anything, it's the date (Spring 2005) that is rendered highly suspect: "Since a reimposition of conscription would require Congressional approval, which has not yet been given, it is unlikely that a draft (even if approved by Congress) would be underway as early as Spring 2005." Oh, that's comforting! Snopes continues, "Obviously some thought has been given to the issue, but the possibility that such thoughts will be turned into reality appears rather small at this point. Still, conditions and attitudes can change very quickly."

Nice try Snopes, and I applaud your attempts to put this rumor in proper perspective. However, unlike most of the other items on the web site, this circulating rumor is absolutely NOT baseless and has ample reality and true possibility surrounding it.