It's the set-up. My guess: the 1600 Crew are getting the SCLM onboard by getting them to print stories about manning levels in Iraq.

Senior U.S. military commanders in Iraq say it is increasingly likely they will need a further increase in combat forces to put down remaining areas of resistance in the country.
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But the forces available for these intensified operations have become limited by the demands of securing Fallujah and overseeing the massive reconstruction effort there -- demands that senior U.S. military officers say are likely to tie up a substantial number of Marines and Army troops for weeks.
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With some fresh U.S. forces already arriving in Iraq as part of a long-scheduled rotation, and two newly trained Iraqi brigades due to start operating next month, U.S. military leaders had hoped to avoid further increases.

But over the past week, a closer assessment of the forces needed for the Fallujah recovery effort and future offensive operations revealed a gap in desired troop strength, at least over the next two or three months, according to several officers familiar with the issue.

I solemly promise that if I get to be on the local draft board to give due consideration to all deferment applications from the local republican junior gentry. Not. After all, they're all of the warrior tradition, right? As long as the warriors are from another family...