"Could you explain what your factual evidence is to support your repeated insistence that Abizaid was doing Whitehouse directed PR work here. Or is this just speculation made despite your admitted lack of familiarity with the military?"
"Evidence"??
Do you need "evidence" the sky is blue? Since when is adding 2 + 2 "speculation"?
And are your implying Abizaid comments and timing were NOT out of the ordinary? Puleeese. And it doesn't take a expert in military protocol to figure this was calculated BS PR at its worse.
" Did the Whitehouse also prompt the mainstream media reporters to ask Abizaid what his opinion was regarded the Dubai Port deal? If so, since when has the Whitehouse gained such control over the MSM? Also, you may be interested to note that Gen Pace made very similar comments today in Baltimore."
No "prompting" required. The fix was in -- Especially from Abizaid -- despite what you wish wasn't true.
A very public race-baiting comment by Abizaid amidst a rabid political fight Dubya swore he'd ram down our throats was indeed sanctioned by the CiC -- AND quite newsworthy in it's clumsy cheesiness.
Dubya simply miscalculated in his using the press, exploitation of Abizaid, and insulting the intelligence of the American people (most of which were conservatives.) MY OPINION.
Here's a question: Was the Port Deal a strategic military ploy, OR purely just globalist business as usual?
And YOUR opinion on the entire matter?
Everyone can observe the sky color. 2 + 2 is mathematically proven. You are claiming the Whitehouse ordered an Army General to make a specific statement. Show me your proof.
"And are your implying Abizaid comments and timing were NOT out of the ordinary?"
Timing?!?! The issue couldn't be any more current. Out of the ordinary...he was commenting on a major strategic issue concerning a country that falls right in the middle of his military area of responsibility. If he was commenting on mad cow disease in Japan, I would agree his comments were odd. But he was responding to a reporter's question about an issue that will have a very significant effect on his ability to accomplish his mission in Southwest Asia. It is certainly not out of the ordinary for him to comment on that issue. Here is a link to a statement Gen Abiziad read to Congress on 1 March 2005 regarding the current status of CENTCOM operations Abizaid's Statement You will note that the mission of CENTCOM is stated as "U.S. Central Command conducts joint and combined operations in our area of responsibility (AOR) to defeat adversaries, promote regional security and stability, support our allies and friends, and protect vital U.S. interests." Denying the DPW port deal has a very signicant impact on CENTCOM's mission. By commenting on the UAE port deal, Abizaid is doing his job.
"And it doesn't take a expert in military protocol to figure this was calculated BS PR at its worse."
Let me rephrase that for you...it takes someone who knows nothing about military protocol to assume Gen Abizaid's comments were orchestrated by the Whitehouse.
"No "prompting" required. The fix was in -- Especially from Abizaid -- despite what you wish wasn't true."
You didn't answer the question. Did the Whitehouse direct reporters to ask Abizaid to comment on the UAE port deal? And do you think the correct answer by Abizaid to a question that dealt specifically with a nation in his AOR would have been "no comment"?
"A very public race-baiting comment by Abizaid"
What part of his statement wasn't accurate?
"Dubya simply miscalculated in his using the press, exploitation of Abizaid, and insulting the intelligence of the American people (most of which were conservatives.) MY OPINION."
Which part of your statement is your opinion?
"Here's a question: Was the Port Deal a strategic military ploy, OR purely just globalist business as usual?"
My opinion...It was globalist business as usual. One foreign company was bought by another. It happens all the time. It just so happens in this case that Chuck Schumer recognized the opportunity to make political hay, so he did. The reason he was able to make political hay was because the company doing the buying out in this case happened to be an Arab company. If the Germans were buying out P&O, this wouldn't have been noted publicly outside page 62 of the Wall Street Journal. Unfortunately, the Arab country involved happens to be one of our strongest and oldest allies in the region. And the fundamental reason for terminating the deal was the belief that we couldn't trust that ally. We essentially spit in their face. It's going to hurt us in many strategic ways and will have a significant impact on CENTCOM planning for future operations. If Gen Abizaid didn't have an opinion (which he is allowed to voice) on the matter, he would be derelict in his duties.