Posted on 12/04/2005 11:27:07 AM PST by SandRat
When Americans think of Marines, most will picture tough men and women who tell it like it is and make the impossible happen.
Its an image that has lasted with the service through the many conflicts the nations leaders have sent that branch of the military to respond to.
For the first time a Marine heads our Joint Chiefs of Staff, which consists of the top leaders from each of the military branches.
And Gen. Peter Pace seems to have brought the Marine spirit to the job he began on Oct. 1.
In the past week, Pace has contradicted his boss in public and said that the U.S. military has done itself a disservice in communicating the level of readiness of Iraqi troops.
In speaking that way, we see a Marine who isnt afraid to tell it like he sees it.
Previously, Pace differed with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on when American troops should intercede and stop abuse of prisoners by Iraqi security personnel.
During a press conference, Pace said troops should intercede immediately. Rumsfeld then told the media he believed that Pace meant to say the U.S. soldiers had to report the abuse, not stop it. But Pace stuck to his original statement.
If they are physically present when inhumane treatment is taking place, sir, they have an obligation to try to stop it, the general said.
A day later, Pace was giving his first public speech as Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman. During that speech, he said he believed the military is largely to blame for how the American public sees the status of Iraqi forces that would take over for U.S. troops.
Pace is new to his job, and there will be many more comments he will have to make. But, so far, we like his approach and his attitude.
We see a general who isnt afraid to correct a politician, especially on the topic of prisoner abuse a subject that the United States must continue to work on in the wake of Abu Ghraib.
In Pace, we see someone who isnt afraid to admit a mistake and work to correct it, something some politicians might want to take note of.
We also see a general who knows what he wants the nations troops to do, and we believe it is the right move for U.S. troops to make.
Paces experience in Vietnam as a rifle platoon leader serves him well. He knows what its like for the troops overseas. He also knows what it is like on a battlefield.
Another note on Paces resume is that he served as deputy commander of Marine forces in Somalia from December 1992 to February 1993, and as deputy commander of the Joint Task Force there from October 1993 to March 1994. Again, he has experience from being on the ground, which we believe will be invaluable in tackling the obstacles hell have to lead the military forces in Iraq.
And as he leads, we hope he continues his say-it-like-he-sees-it approach. That kind of talk earns the trust of a nation and fosters leadership at a time when leadership is needed.
MI Country BIG TIME its the home of the MI School.
UNITS
U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca
U.S. Army Garrison
Naval Technical Training Center Detachment
U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM)/
9th Army Signal Command
U.S. Army Electronic Proving Ground (USAEPG)
U.S. Army Information Systems Engineering Command (USAISEC)
Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC)
Intelligence Electronic Warfare Test Directorate
11th Signal Brigade
These are just a few of the outfits here.
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Gen. PETER PACE is 62,
...going on 42 in appearance.
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During a press conference, Pace said troops should intercede immediately. Rumsfeld then told the media he believed that Pace meant to say the U.S. soldiers had to report the abuse, not stop it. But Pace stuck to his original statement. If they are physically present when inhumane treatment is taking place, sir, they have an obligation to try to stop it, the general said.
Odd the reporter remembers this but doesn't remember Gen Pace, when answering a question asked by a reporter, looking the reporter in the eye and referring to the military as "YOUR military" with heavy emphasis on your.
Good evening and the very best to you and yours.
Semper Fi
Tommie
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During his Keynote Speech given to us at the Vietnam Wall on Veterans Day Friday Gen. PETER PACE interrrupted his speech to let Jetliners just taking off from Washington D.C. National Airport pass on by.
...I thought at one time he was going to actually look up and order them to halt in place in mid-air.
This General is THAT compelling a presence.
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Good evening and the very best to you and yours.
Semper Fi
Tommie
I read a number of your posts. God Bless, and stay active and healthy.
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...and what kind of Freepin' fun was our 'GOD Bless America' Freep outside the 2003 Academy Awards..?
'Many come out to show war support across land'
http://www.post-gazette.com/nation/20030324antiwar0324p7.asp
(AP Photo & Article)
...just for the CLARITY of it.
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If we Vietnam Vets had had Freerepublic.com at our disposal to combat the TV lies WALTER CRONKITE & DAN RATHER were telling the American People nightly about the Vietnam War,
...a then Free South Vietnam would still be Free today..!!!
Instead, we all get to witness...
'Pictures of a vietnamese Re-Education Camp'
http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1308949/posts
With our enemies within still dedicated to making it happen here.
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OK, got that one backwards.
Walter Cronkite is every bit as evil as George Soros.
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WALTER CRONKITE is now HILLARY's No. 1 Media defensive linebacker on TV in her push to return to our Oval Office.
Both were on the side of our terrorist enemy, North Vietnam Communist Dictator HO CHI MINH, and against US who were fighting for the Freedom of others in a then Free South Vietnam.
The Enemy is now within...
and always has been.
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I was in my early teens (circa 1967) when I started watching this traitor on the evening news. By 15, my dad had taught me the truth about Cronkite and his ilk.( I started reading National Review at age 14 on my own volition) My high school was infested with upper middle class long haired, dope smoking cowards who were protesting the war because they were afraid they might have to fight. And there was Cronkite quietly spewing out his lies to keep the evil fires burning. He was the worst, and should have been tried for treason along with Hanoi Jane!
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Thank you for sharing yours, & your Dad's, CLARITY with us.
Well Done.
AR
Cronkite is a coward, as yellow as they get. He was America's voice, appointed by no one, yet CBS allowed his lies and distortions to exist. Put the blame where it should be,the main steam press, in particular CBS, and the yellow Cronkite. We see now how rotten he is, just listen to his b.s. when he makes his asinine statements.
That is why I refer to Cronkite as " the old Bolshevic"
I liked your homepage, by the way.
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