A Few More Good Men

Gen. Stanley McChrystal will soon hear word on 40,000 reinforcements for Afghanistan...how have his predecessors fared? When they've asked for more troops, have they gotten them?...has fulfilling their requests made a difference? A look back:

Washington called on the Continental Congress to beef up his army. But it had to rely on the states, which raised far fewer than the 88 battalions promised.

Generals were hesitant to attack the British in Canada without an influx of troops. More were OK'd, but logistics prevented ambitious operations, leading to a draw.

Gen. Zachary Taylor had 7,000 men at the start of the war; President Polk got him 50,000 volunteers. Taylor's victory propelled him to the presidency.

General McClellan always thought he was outnumbered (he wasn't). After constant troop requests and a hesitation to attack, Lincoln fired him.

General Miles wanted to use his core of 80,000 troops to retain mobility. Public outcry for the (successful) war effort forced him to take more volunteers.

It wasn't how many men should go to Europe, it was how fast they could get there. The U.S. sent 4.5 million troops to war, at a rate of more than 300,000 per month in 1918.

Europe-first approach left MacArthur, a top Pacific general, unhappy. He wanted more men—just 1.2 million of 5.4 million were in the Pacific in '45—but equipment was his big concern.

MacArthur wanted to escalate and invade China. President Truman refused, aiming to keep the Soviets out of the war. MacArthur was fired; the war ended in a stalemate.

President Johnson let General Westmoreland raise troop levels from 184,000 to more than 500,000. He asked for 200,000 more after Tet, but Johnson cut him off.

Civil War

General McClellan always thought he was outnumbered (he wasn't). After constant troop requests and a hesitation to attack, Lincoln fired him.

He was out number all it took one good old southern boy and a good rifle. And a few dozen mules to pack his ammo.

The following sentence from a recent San Francisco Chronicle editorial highlights the myopic hyper-prejudiced tunnel vision conservatives have come to expect from all media:

"...Gov. Palin has become a kind of repository for the hopes and fears of the undereducated mostly white American masses..."

The above nonsense is a clear example of what Conservatives are forced to deal with every single day.

It also explains clearly why now more than ever it is critically important for Conservatives to have Free Republic as our online resource where we can discuss the real news, not the news as the current administration's public relations spin machine is spewing it.

We need Free Republic because it's the online site where Conservatives can discuss, defend and make cogent arguments about all Conservative issues.

Free Republic is not just a site where Conservatives give voice to opinions in often heated discussions. Free Republic also serves as a rallying point where Conservatives can align with other Conservatives and get involved in making our strongly held opinions heard above the fray of leftist bleating.

Conservatives on Free Republic become involved and remain involved in grassroots activism, all while making the steps necessary to return our country to its Conservative principles and standards.

Jim Robinson wrote about his own recent activism, describing what would certainly be an arduous journey for anyone:

"...Thirty four cities, thirty four rallies in 15 days, then on to Washington, DC! And two million of us Marched On DC!..."

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Woo hoo!! Coming down the home stretch!! [FReepathon thread XIII]

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