Posted on 10/15/2004 7:29:42 PM PDT by binreadin
The RNC: runs the all-around ground-game on Election Day (e.g., Get Out The Vote) AND the legal effort (anti-vote fraud measures)
https://www.donationreport.com/init/controller/ProcessEntryCmd?key=X1I6V1C9E8
John Thune for Senate: Daschle must go, but Thune needs $ for that final push against a well-financed, fraud-cushioned incumbent.
https://www.rapiddonor.com/JohnThune/
Majority Fund for America's Future: Funds/runs the campaigns in the tightest Senate races that need the most last-minute resources
https://donate.majorityfundforamerica.org/index.cfm?mode=account&category_meta_id=433
National Republican Senatorial Committee: Ground Game for the close Senate races + Presidential
https://donate.nrsc.org/index.cfm?mode=account&category_meta_id=150
National Republican Congressional Committee: Ground game for the close House races + Presidential
https://www.donationreport.com/init/controller/ProcessEntryCmd?key=K6X4V6F8B6
STOMP, the Strategic Taskforce to Organize and Mobilize People is a nationwide network of dedicated volunteers who have committed to assisting Republicans in our most competitive areas. By strengthening our Party in the most competitive areas, we will lead all of our Republican candidates to victory.
https://www.donationreport.com/init/controller/ProcessEntryCmd?key=Y6Y6P2I5B0
And, of course, GELAC, the Bush-Cheney '04 Legal Compliance Committee (fighting vote fraud, e.g.)
https://www.donationreport.com/init/controller/ProcessEntryCmd?key=I5B7P3F2B6
I'd be curious to know if the platoon commander refused also. This sounds very "fishy".
My guess is it's a political stunt.
Imagine what would have happened if all "dangerous" military missions from 1776 to present were refused.
I guess that other soliders in the same unit had the balls to do their job. This platoon must have some leadership and NCO problems. I think the Army needs to look at the makeup of some of its reserve and guard units. Some problems seem to exist with some units.
I have no inside info. I also severely restrain criticisms of military matters since I didn't serve myself. I have the utmost respect, admiration, and appreciation for the U.S. military. With that said, I've also found myself wondering if things like this aren't inevitable in a "kinder, gentler" military. I watched a show a few days ago about the "new" atmosphere at the Air Force Academy. No more yelling in faces. No more "being mean" to incoming cadets. Increasing integration of men and women. To my thinking, which I consider logical and objective, none of these things are conducive to the long-term optimum readiness of a military.
Thoughts from those with a stronger inside perspective?
MM
The general ordered a "safety standdown." That sounds to me like he agreed with the complaint of the reserve squad of soldiers.
Soldiers have been permitted and trained in our modern army to refuse two types of orders:
1. Foremost, they MUST refuse any ILLEGAL order.
2. The can refuse an order when A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE comes to the fore.
It sounds like this is what that unit did. It does not sound like mutiny to me, given the general's response of a SAFETY STANDDOWN.
A. 19 soldiers is not even a whole platoon, much less a whole unit.
B. This is not a breach of military discipline; it is an example of astute soldiers doing what they're TRAINED TO DO!!
C. This IS AN EXAMPLE of media trying to injure the president and the military.
Hi...Mr. Robinson,
You wrote: "My guess is it's a political stunt."
How RIGHT You Are!
That's the First thing that I thought as well.
The Demon-Rats will Stop at NOTHING.
May GOD Help US that Kerry Never Gets Into Our Whitehouse.
GOD BLESS our TROOPS and GOD BLESS AMERICA...The Land of The Free and The Home of The Brave.
You hit it on the head.
Thus proving that not only was the mission not a "suicide mission" it wasn't even especially dangerous.
This, my friends, is the smoking gun. This is the indefensible. If others carried out the mission quickly and safely, then these soldiers complaints were completely unjustified and their inaction cowardly.
Just like in Haz Mat work I guess. A worker can refuse to do work if they deem it too dangerous. Often the worker on the ground knows the situation better than the one telling him to do the work.
I concur with you: C. This IS AN EXAMPLE of media trying to injure the president and the military.
What makes it very bad is the wife of McCook is doing the PR with the presses. That's the cue card for political activism. Media sure hopes to blow this one up big. And based upon a civilian who isn't there, but here and using hearsay.
Thanks for the ping...this additional info makes more sense...the safety standown would be normal though, until an investigation is completed....it's too bad the troopers panicked and had their families call Reps in DC...but I can understand their fear....there are still a lot of unanswered questions, but the Army will investigate and I hope clear these guys.
A soldier cannot.
It smells like a political stunt to me....!!!
Yep, PROPAGANDA from pravdaAP. I'll wait to get the real scoop.
I.E., they were not safe to drive under ANY conditions..
Much less taking them into a combat environment...
Your argument is exactly the same as my 1sg hubby's....the mission was completed without these 19...
No, he didn't order the stand down because the soldiers were correct, he ordered it so that the vehicles could be inspected to see if they were telling the truth or lying.
A commanding general has ordered the unit to undergo a "safety-maintenance stand down," during which it will conduct no further missions as the unit's vehicles undergo safety inspections, the military said.
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