By LISA HOFFMAN, Scripps Howard News Service

This month marks the 35th anniversary of the suspension of the military draft at the end of the Vietnam War.But even though the Pentagon regularly -- not to mention unequivocally -- assures lawmakers and others that the current all-volunteer force continues to handle its combat and other defense duties splendidly, rumors of a return to the draft won't die.

WASHINGTON -- For four decades, the United States officially branded Nelson Mandela a terrorist because of his association with the African National Congress in the fight to end apartheid in South Africa.

WASHINGTON -- Those "economic stimulus" checks Americans are getting aren't coming cheap. The federal government now estimates the cost of printing, mailing and administering the program to reach as much as $1 billion.

WASHINGTON -- The apparent intrusion by Chinese hackers into the computers of congressmen and their legislative committees revealed this past week comes as no surprise to folks at the Pentagon and at least six other departments, including Commerce, State, Energy and Health and Human Services.

WASHINGTON -- Soaring gasoline prices. Stagflation. An unpopular war and a reviled commander in chief. A defiant and dangerous Iran. Famine in poor countries. And apocalyptic environmentalism.

WASHINGTON -- It is growing increasingly likely that a decision not faced by any president in nearly 50 years will fall to the next occupant of the Oval Office.Since 2006, President Bush has had on his desk a recommendation from the Army that two soldiers on the U.S. military's death row be executed for the crimes they committed while in the service.

WASHINGTON -- Apparently, according to the Department of Homeland Security, one of the nation's major terrorism vulnerabilities lies under our feet: manholes.Though heavy to lift, manhole covers generally aren't locked or otherwise hardened against those who might want to attack us from below. Anyone could open most of them by using a simple lever.

WASHINGTON -- For single and discreet U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, sex in the combat zone is now legal, though distinctly discouraged.The brass recently eased a general ban on sexual relations for unmarried American troops and any single U.S. civilians working for them in Afghanistan. But commanders are quick to add that doesn't mean flagrant hanky-panky is in order.

WASHINGTON -- Word of what some on Capitol Hill fear may become the next major congressional scandal is beginning to leak out.The Justice Department apparently is investigating allegations that lawmakers illegally have used their staffs for campaign purposes or to handle such personal chores as cleaning legislators' homes and fetching their dry cleaning.

WASHINGTON -- By this fall, the Pentagon will finally have in place a rapid-reaction unit designed to respond to a catastrophic attack against the United States. The brigade-sized unit of about 4,000 will be composed of specialized military personnel from bases across the country who will deploy on a moment's notice to assist civilian authorities.