Posted on 12/09/2004 2:05:26 PM PST by mrsmith
Sounds like we agree. I would only add that before the media broadcasts such a Q&A session they should announce all questions have been screened for controversy and security content.
I think the first rule of leadership is to take care of your troops. If one soldier's life is saved by the attention this problem has received as a result of the question, then all the embarassment of the administration and the deviation from proper etiquette is worth it, in my view.
I was never good at the proper etiquette part of the job, it is probably a good thing I got out early. I could not have serverd under Clinton, anyway.
Yankee ingenuity has always been a major component in America's military success. We differ from the military of despots and tyrants in that our soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen have always been encouraged to understand the intent of the orders and adapt for success. We often used the phrase "Semper Gumby" (Always Flexible) in response to an order phrased in terms of an objective instead of a step-by-step direct order.
..and was not immediately broadcast to the whole world, including our enemies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At another duty station, an open question forum was held with the press and a Congressman in attendance.
The bottom line is that an open question forum is an open question forum.
If a superior wants to avoid the risks of an open question forum, the solution is extremely simple: Don't have one!
It distorts the information.
Look at this case: there is no need for any armor for these guys.
They are not going to be in unarmored vehicles in the convoy north- they are going to be in armored vehicles, or on a plane.
When they get to their duty station they will not be in unarmored vehicles- they will use the armored vehicles left by the old unit.
Thanks to the reporter's interference the debate has been distorted beyond any usefulness.
Thanks for that detail, explains some of the slowness in getting production ramped up!
The haters of GW appear to be doing two things after the election:
1. They apparently are now having their moles who enlisted in the military the past year going public with stuff like this or running to Canada to "avoid war Crimes"!
2. We will see more Breaking BS news about the above. They will become the next Wilson/Plame/Yellowcake/ANG Records phoney baloney story to try get GW to resign, condemned as a war criminal in Germany or Belgium or as a reason to tout impeachment after GW is sworn in.
Thanks for your service!
..and was not immediately broadcast to the whole world, including our enemies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Waspman, we have both been topped!
Speaking of the usage of the "!!!!"
Guenevere excellent statement ..by the way...
_________________________________________________
.....WOULD IT BE TOO MUCH TO ASK THAT THE ONE ASKING THE QUESTION DO SO WITH CIVILITY, RESPECT AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF PROTOCOL AND RULES!
Which...by the way.....is moot, since the 'soldier' had no intention of following protocol or rules, because he knew he was 'setting up' the Chief!
That he did this knowingly and willingly negates your answer, as far as I'm concerned!
See post #71.
#70..Thank-you !
See #71!
And listen to Rush......
This is the MSM looking for a way to cause problems for Rumsfeld and Bush!!!
And our fighting ability.....very selective reporting....
www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/2004/tr20041209-1765.html
Presser from Iraq yesterday.
I wonder how many of the Left Wing Unholy Alliance have joined the military in the last year and ready to become human sacrifices for the left wing cause?
Great post, maybe people should think before accusing the administration of "doing nothing".
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