Posted on 03/06/2004 9:33:51 PM PST by Gothmog
When Americans wend their ways to the polls this November, they must not think about the trivial things — a credit card payment or the time spent waiting in line at airport security.
Instead, Gen. Tommy Franks urged voters to remember Sept. 11, 2001, when they cast their ballots.
That was the day when the United States "lost more than 3,000 people in the wink of an eye," Franks said Saturday night.
The four-star general spoke to a crowd of hundreds as part of the Naples/Fort Myers Town Hall speaker series at the Registry Resort and Club. His speech, "The Campaign Trail — Afghanistan to Baghdad and Beyond," focused on his own experiences during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and subsequent U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
On the morning of Sept. 11, the not-yet-retired general was en route to Pakistan to speak with leaders there about the al-Qaida terrorist network. When his plane stopped to refuel, Franks learned of the attacks. He and his wife, Kathy, turned on the television in time to see the second plane strike the World Trade Center.
"I looked at Kathy, and I said, 'bin Laden,'" Franks recalled.
The following day, Franks had a realization: Called upon to help manage the situation, he had become one of "they" — a member of some shadowy government decision-making force.
"They're the ones who send us off to do things that don't make a lot of sense," Franks said.
It was a place he never guessed he would be, the Texas native said. But he accepted the charge and is glad he did, he said. The American military went on to invade Afghanistan and topple the Taliban government, giving the country's citizens a chance to live without the oppressive regime, Franks said.
Regardless of their political position, that is something that must make Americans "terribly proud," Franks said.
Franks, who now lives in Tampa and received three Purple Hearts during his more than 30 years of military service, went on to talk about his role in the war in Iraq.
When he went to Texas to meet with President George W. Bush and discuss the country's options, he found a president that was not willing and ready to invade Iraq, contrary to what some may believe, Franks said.
"He said, 'General, I hope we never put one American boot on Iraq without invitation,'" Franks recalled the president saying. "'But Sept. 11 was instructive to me.'"
After many months, Franks created a plan for Iraq that he could say he liked. Its biggest points called for the removal of Saddam Hussein with a minimum loss of life, but maximum speed and potential for saving Iraqi oil.
That was the plan that began a year ago this month, Franks said.
When he is asked about the hundreds of American soldiers who have died since the conflict began, Franks has "an old soldier's view," he said.
"Whatever the cost, we must pay. And it cost us high. And the next eight months are going to be an interesting time," Franks said, another nod to the upcoming election season.
Franks offered praise for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, a man he described as a "hell of a secretary of war."
"He has sharp elbows and he uses them," Franks said of Rumsfeld.
He also offered high praise for the American troops who have served in the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. Franks said he is pleased to see that even those U.S. citizens who do not support the war in Iraq show support for the troops.
In a special session prior to his speech, Franks fielded questions from the media and the public. Asked if a military background is important for the commander in chief to possess, Franks said he does not believe it is necessary.
As for the notion that the main U.S. reason for an involvement in Iraq was oil, Franks said he believes there is another valuable resource in the Middle East: the "junction or nexus of the world's major religions."
Franks ended by saying he has no plans to consider a vice presidential candidacy if it is offered to him.
The final Naples/Fort Myers Town Hall speaker will be economist and journalist Stuart Varney on Wednesday, March 17. Tickets are still available. For more information, call 261-6524.
Naturally Franks and the two guys are wearing the black fleece jacket, pointing at the sign, and grinning. Any general who has enough of a sense of humour to do that, deserves a standing O everywhere life takes him.
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F
It is that, but be careful of it. The final version differs in some details from the version that the TF Dagger (5th SF Group) guys saw and approved. Some stuff was added somewhere...
I was disappointed by the last-minute changes to the book as I think the original version was better. I mentioned it to Robin Moore (yes, I know him) and he changed the subject! One thing the book may not mention (I didn't see it) is that he is 79 and is fighting Parkinson's Disease. So his trip to the war zone, where he interviewed everyone from generals to the newest demo man or medic, was a real display of character from a guy who truly earned the Green Beret (even though he was a journalist at the time).
Robin has just finished his latest book The Hunt for Saddam. He is lively as ever. He was older than his peers by about 10 years when he went to jump and SF school in 1963! And most people don't know this, but he was a college classmate and friend of Robert F. Kennedy.
Another good read is Bush at War. Yeah, it's by Woodward, but it's good. Read that and you will have no questions about the President's leadership!
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F
As far as that goes, Kerry's PH's were earned, by the letter of the law, if he sought medical treatment for injuries and the injuries were caused by the enemy. It's true that many men would be ashamed to seek a purple heart for scratches and bruises, but legally, he's on firm ground.
Kerry's latest stunt is having his minions and flunkies sue everyplace that is displaying his 1971 book. SLAPP suits, to bury his NVA-flag period....
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F
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