Thursday, June 03, 2004
American Top Brass
“There has been poor strategic thinking in this. There has been poor operational planning and execution on the ground. And to think that we are going to ‘stay the course,’ the course is headed over Niagara Falls.”…
“I give all the credit in the world to Ambassador Bremer as a great American who's serving his country, I think, with all the kind of sacrifice and spirit you could expect. But he has made mistake after mistake after mistake.”
Retired General Anthony Zinni, the former commander-in-chief of the United States Central Command.
"I believe we are absolutely on the brink of failure. We are looking into the abyss."
General Joseph Hoar, the former head of the Marine Corps.
Asked by the Washington Post whether he believes the United States is losing the war in Iraq, replied, "I think strategically, we are."
The Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Army Major General Charles H. Swannack, Jr.
"Unless we ensure that we have coherence in our policy, we will lose strategically." …" noting that Vietnam featured a pattern of winning battles while losing the war.
Army Colonel Paul Hughes, who directed strategic planning for the US occupation authority in Baghdad.
Amazingly, even active duty military officers are speaking out against the Administration. For example, the Washington Post quoted an unnamed senior General at the Pentagon as saying, "the current OSD (Office of the Secretary of Defense) refused to listen or adhere to military advice." Rarely if ever in American history have uniformed commanders felt compelled to challenge their commander in chief in public.
The Post also quoted an unnamed general as saying, "Like a lot of senior Army guys I'm quite angry" with Rumsfeld and the rest of the Bush Administration. He listed two reasons. "I think they are going to break the Army," he said, adding that what really incites him is "I don't think they care."
“I give all the credit in the world to Ambassador Bremer as a great American who's serving his country, I think, with all the kind of sacrifice and spirit you could expect. But he has made mistake after mistake after mistake.”
Retired General Anthony Zinni, the former commander-in-chief of the United States Central Command.
_____________________
"I believe we are absolutely on the brink of failure. We are looking into the abyss."
General Joseph Hoar, the former head of the Marine Corps.
_____________________
Asked by the Washington Post whether he believes the United States is losing the war in Iraq, replied, "I think strategically, we are."
The Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Army Major General Charles H. Swannack, Jr.
____________________
"Unless we ensure that we have coherence in our policy, we will lose strategically." …" noting that Vietnam featured a pattern of winning battles while losing the war.
Army Colonel Paul Hughes, who directed strategic planning for the US occupation authority in Baghdad.
_____________________
Amazingly, even active duty military officers are speaking out against the Administration. For example, the Washington Post quoted an unnamed senior General at the Pentagon as saying, "the current OSD (Office of the Secretary of Defense) refused to listen or adhere to military advice." Rarely if ever in American history have uniformed commanders felt compelled to challenge their commander in chief in public.
The Post also quoted an unnamed general as saying, "Like a lot of senior Army guys I'm quite angry" with Rumsfeld and the rest of the Bush Administration. He listed two reasons. "I think they are going to break the Army," he said, adding that what really incites him is "I don't think they care."
# posted by Abu Khaleel @ 3:55 AM 
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I have never been in the military so can not speak with expertise. I do know that many of these quotes come from people who are angry that the boss (Rumsfeld) made decisions instead of bending to the will of those who feel they know better than any dumb civilian. There never has been a perfect war. All of the Generals have made tactical errors in their careers. Nobody, king or peasant has all the correct answers. In retrospect we could have, should have, would have will not help what has been done. Do you think that all the men you mentioned agreed on one perfect strategy? Watch our politicians in action. Months of abuse heaped on GWB and last night the opposing contender told GWB to run as an opponent and not in anger. GWB has been called a liar, a betrayer of our country,Hitler, murderer etc. No opologies have been offered when the "lies" have been proved as truths etc. GWB is not perfect, he will never be perfect, but he has tried to both protect US and freed millions of people from harsh dictators. As Iraq develops self rule, with Iraqi elected officials, they will not be perfect. My one greatest hope is that the Iraqis who have suffered for decades will finally find peace and prosperity and freedom from dictators or imposed governments.
Time to start looking beyond the propaganda. Read Tommy Franks book on the Iraq War. Here was the General in charge, none of these fake "arm chair" generals like Wesley Clark.
# posted by 
: 30/7/04 12:28 PM
: 30/7/04 12:28 PM
"Time to start looking beyond the propaganda. Read Tommy Franks book on the Iraq War. Here was the General in charge, none of these fake "arm chair" generals like Wesley Clark."
I couldn't have said it better.
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I couldn't have said it better.
# posted by : 6/8/04 9:34 PM
: 6/8/04 9:34 PM << Home
