Posted on 05/27/2004 8:22:14 PM PDT by Congressman Billybob
I'm not sure where you get your information, but the majority of attendees to The Army War College are LTC(P) and COLs, of which a majority are slated for Brigade command or senior staff assignments. Only a few attendees may be slated for ROTC PMS assignments.
There are also major curricula out in Kansas.
Wishful thinking?
He factually went over things as a reminder and outlined some of his thoughts.
I was not bored and found it to be inspiring. Everything does not have to be up-beat all the time. A serious speech in wartime is comforting.
Our President has the cares of the world on his shoulders and has many things to deal with. He is doing a great job and I am thankful that he is the one who occupies the office at this time.
I thought it was a great speech. Sorry if he got to the point and did not dally around with quips. He had a message and stated it period.
There are times when the President doesn't say or do what I think he should, or what I think might most satisfy me and my expectations.
Still, the man is a cool drink of pure water compared to the brackish sludge poured out during the xlinton years, and the poison which Kerry and the Dems offer us today.
I'll give him all the room he needs to make the moves on the chessboard of history, regardless of what I myself would wish to see and hear at any given moment.
I love President Bush, fear greatly for his life, and pray that he will be kept safe from the enemy.
About his speech at the War College, I wasn't surprised at the lack of rousing cheers from those in the audience ... they are a sober lot, and the times are as grim as they are filled with hope.
There will be other occasions where it'll be more appropriate to raise the roof, and sway the fence-sitters.
The main point is that these things take time. They demand changes in tactics to deal with changing circumstances on the ground. And, the global stakes if we fail are comparable to the stakes after WW II.
Just try to imagine what the last 55 years of world history would have looked like, had we pulled out of Germany before the task was well completed. West Germany might have collapsed into chaos, and been taken over by East Germany, with Soviet help.
Even with the USSR gone, the world still has more than half its population living under murderous dictatorships. If we get out too early, as many leftists and a few rightists are arguing, our failure will vastly strengthen the hand of the dictators. And given today's weapons, THAT failure may be measured in hundreds of thousands or millions of Americans assassinated here, in our own cities.
I think President Bush clearly sees this deadly possibility. I am concerned that he's not expressing that effectively, using history as the example -- and rubbing the press' noses in that history.
John
His audience was the Iraqi people, the Arab world, as well as the American people. Him giving the speech at the War College made it appear as though he was telling the military what the plans for Iraq were. I think he knew very well who the audience was.
For cripes sakes, they only had about 1500 troops in Iraq. Most high schools have more students than that.
They put their entire portion of their token coalition on two or three aircraft and were audios amigo! You need to face up Tex. It is not looking good in Iraq. The place is a freaking mess.
Yeah that is why I am saying that this country is on the verge of making them look heroic.
I disagree. It's gone beyond this heroic thing. The focus and direction of this whole thing has become blurred. The the majority of people in Iraq were clearly not behind us. And most of them cannot even be trusted by us, let alone fight for, and lay their own lives down for what we believe is right and just.
It's going southbound in a big way, IMO.
Wishful thinking?
No Tex, I'm confident even Ray Charles can see what's happening.
You say that the majority of Iraqis are against us. What are you basing that on? I don't see 25 million Iraqis in the streets either shooting at us or even demonstrating against us. Have you? Other than in Falujia or Sadr, who in the hell is rebelling?
I don't think I'd say the President's speech fell flat. I'd say Bush`s speech at the War College lacked passion. But then again, many of the President's recent speeches have lacked a certain passion. He made his points and restated his goals. Nothing new on the policy front, except for the remark about tearing down Abu Ghraib prison. C+/B- range.
It's those who fall for the leftist propaganda who he was speaking to. They need reassuring, we who pay attention, (JUST LIKE THE MILITARY WAR COLLEGE) the speech meant little, we have heard it before, but it was the clarity that countered in that speech.
John Kerry is using the blame America first approach and some of the mushy middle is falling for it with the help of the mainstream media. President Bush directed his speech at them.
We are 5 months out from the elections and many hurdles in front of us, IMHO we are doing just fine in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the Democrats are making a huge mistake by playing the blame America first card with their hysterical demands that Rummy and many others resign at once. If the Bush Administration or any other administration was to adopt such a policy in the middle of a war, it would only embolden our enemies. Al Gore and his leftist minions should learn how to keep their pie hole shut
That is not what I said. Here let me help. Here's my quote
The focus and direction of this whole thing has become blurred. The the majority of people in Iraq were clearly not behind us. And most of them cannot even be trusted by us, let alone fight for, and lay their own lives down for what we believe is right and just.
JH is opining the public will bail over the spector of chronic body counts, with no light at the end of the tunnel visible. That is a real and present risk. Bush knows it. He is trying to address it, as best he can, which many of us wish were better, although some of us clearly disagree about what would be better, other than Bush suddenly acquiring Clinton's articulative skills.
How in the hell do you know that?
Excellent post
I'm a soldier with the U.S. Army serving in the 16th Combat Engineer Battalion in Baghdad.
The news you are hearing stateside is awfully depressing and negative. The reality is we are accomplishing a tremendous amount here, and the Iraqi people are not only benefiting greatly, but are enthusiastically supportive.
My job is mostly to be the driver of my platoon's lead Humvee. I see the missions our Army is performing, and I interact closely with the Iraqi people. Because of this, I know how successful and important our work is.
This is the work of the U.S. military. Our progress is amazing. Many people who knew only repression and terror now have hope in their heart and prosperity in their grasp. Every day the Iraqi people stream into the streets to cheer and wave at us as we drive by. When I'm on a foot patrol, walking among a crowd, countless people thank us — repeatedly.
I'm not out of touch with the negative side of things. In fact, I think my unit has it harder than many other Army units in this whole operation. That said, despite some attacks, the overall picture is one of extreme success and much thanks.
The various terrorist enemies we are facing in Iraq are really aiming at you back in the United States. This is a test of will for our country. We soldiers of yours are doing great and scoring victories in confronting the evil terrorists.
The reality is one of an ever-increasing defeat of the enemies we face. Our enemies are therefore more desperate. They are striking out more viciously and indiscriminately. I realize this is causing Americans stress, and I assure you it causes us stress, too.
Yes, there are terrorists who wish to strike these things down, but this is a test of will we must win. We can do this, as long as Americans at home keep faith with the soldiers in this war. We are Americans, after all. We can and must win this test. That is all it is.
Roche serves with the U.S. Army's 16th Combat Engineer Battalion in Iraq and is an adjunct fellow at the National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think-tank.
Apparently this soldier doesn't seem to understand that it's all going to crap around him. I guess he doesn't have the insights that some of our internet generals do.
He doesn't... he's just talking out of his arse as usual
Oh come on Tex. That doesn't even rate a response.
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