However, I see NOTHING in this article to indicate the kind of break down in discipline or morale that happened in Vietnam. There is nothing here that suggestion that the troops are losing faith in their mission or their Commanders. The use of the term "Sinking moral" is incorrect. There is no "bring us home now" mindset represented in this article. There is no "Stab in the back" myth being created. What they ARE saying is "Are they going to let us complete our mission." That is VASTLY different thing then "Sinking Morale" If anything this confirms what we see in the data. A desire on the troops part to make Iraq work. It would seem that a collection of the troops should be brought to Washington to stiffen the spines of the Politicians, not vice versa.
From Ollie North
snip
But recent reversals -- not on the battlefield but in Washington -- have caused nearly all of those I talked to on this trip to question whether we are suddenly in danger of losing the war they have been fighting.
This sudden loss of assurance in our fighting forces has nothing to do with casualty figures, troop levels, the leaders prosecuting the war in the field or new acts of terror by a ruthless enemy. Rather, the anxieties I'm now hearing from those I have covered in combat come in questions like: "Do you think that they are going to pull us out before we've finished the mission?" and "Will we abandon Iraq like we abandoned Vietnam?" Interestingly, not one of the thousands of young Americans I have covered in Iraq or Afghanistan has ever asked about or commented upon pre-war intelligence.
snip
They need assurance that the @!#$%^ spineless posturing Congress is going to stand up and support the mission.
Who said they were questioning their mission? I haven't seen anyone say that on this thread.
And who said anything about discipline breaking down? You are just making stuff up now and trying to change what HAS been said.
Which is that Ollie North was on a radio show and talked about the low morale. This was stated in a post directly to you by another freeper who heard the radio show.
You have been told by a few freepers now that morale is low among the troops and we know this because we know the soldiers because they are in our families.
Nice try at restating what has been said by Ollie North which is as follows:
I'm hearing something different -- a loss of confidence in the final outcome. (from the soldiers)
But recent reversals -- not on the battlefield but in Washington -- have caused nearly all of those I talked to on this trip to question whether we are suddenly in danger of losing the war they have been fighting.
The measure was defeated 58 to 40, but an amended version, setting 2006 as a "period of significant transition creating conditions for the phased redeployment of United States forces from Iraq," passed by an overwhelming 79-19 margin. (Outrageously wimpy of our Republicans).
the message to the troops is clear: No matter where we stand in the war on terror -- if the Senate has its way, we're "pulling out" in 2006.
Major General William Webster, commanding the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq said that "setting a date would mean that the 221 soldiers I've lost this year, that their lives will have been lost in vain." A U.S. Marine colonel, recently returned from Iraq, called it "a formula for disaster." And universally those I have met with here in Hawaii, from the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division to the 1st Marine Brigade, to the sailors of the fleet, to the wounded at Tripler Army Hospital -- all expressed anger and frustration
That's a valid question. Even Senate Republicans don't seem to know what they want. As the "World's Greatest Deliberative Body" was exploring how to set a "date certain" for withdrawing troops without setting a certain date, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said, "Americans do not cut and run, Americans do not abandon their commitments and Americans do not abandon their friends." But he voted for the measure anyway.
The GOP leadership, senior administration officials and the president need to dramatically alter the debate. They need to go to Iraq -- talk to the troops and reassure them that we will stay there long enough to get the job done and not one second longer. Notwithstanding the "peace in our time" appeasement sentiment sweeping through our capital, it's not too late. Republicans need to realize that wining the war in Iraq is the only issue that really matters right now. It is more important than Medicare, the next Supreme Court justice, foreign trade deals or tax reform. If we lose the war -- and we could -- none of these things will matter.
You are right, there is a big difference in thinking that some Fair Weather Rinos and left wing nut dems don't have your back. That is damned depressing, but those Guys and Gals over there and just coming back or soon to be leaving know that the President will always have their back, and so will most Americans. I asked my older Brother if he was going to be with the Cowardly thinking creeps that are undermining our Military and he looked like I had punched him. Reality check for him, he was the first Pubbie in our Family, and it was contrary to all his previous thinking.
I did not reference this article, nor claim the things outlined above. I referenced the emails I received from Iraq from two freinds serving over there, why do you keep posting your rebuttals for the article to me??