Posted on 04/12/2006 4:18:07 PM PDT by ejdrapes
WASHINGTON - A recently retired two-star general who just a year ago commanded a U.S. Army division in Iraq on Wednesday joined a small but growing list of former senior officers to call on Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to resign. "I believe we need a fresh start in the Pentagon. We need a leader who understands teamwork, a leader who knows how to build teams, a leader that does it without intimidation," Maj. Gen. John Batiste, who commanded the Germany-based 1st Infantry Division in Iraq, said in an interview on CNN. In recent weeks, retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold, Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton and Marine Corps Gen. Anthony Zinni all spoke out against Rumsfeld. This comes as opinion polls show eroding public support for the 3-year-old war in which about 2,360 U.S. troops have died. "You know, it speaks volumes that guys like me are speaking out from retirement about the leadership climate in the Department of Defense," Batiste said. "But when decisions are made without taking into account sound military recommendations, sound military decision making, sound planning, then we're bound to make mistakes." Batiste, a West Point graduate who also served during the previous Gulf War, retired from the Army on November 1, 2005. While in Iraq, his division, nicknamed the Big Red One, was based in Tikrit, and it wrapped up a yearlong deployment in May 2005. Critics have accused Rumsfeld of bullying senior military officers and disregarding their views. They often cite how Rumsfeld dismissed then-Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki's opinion a month before the 2003 invasion that occupying Iraq could require "several hundred thousand troops," not the smaller force Rumsfeld would send. Many experts believe that the chaos that ensued and the insurgency that emerged just months later vindicated Shinseki's view. Batiste told CNN "we've got the best military in the world, hands down, period." He did not say whether he felt the war was winnable. 'LACK OF SACRIFICE' "Whether we agree or not with the war in Iraq, we are where we are, and we must succeed in this endeavor. Failure is frankly not an option," Batiste said. Batiste said he was struck by the "lack of sacrifice and commitment on the part of the American people" to the war, with the exception of families with soldiers fighting in Iraq. "I think that our executive and legislative branches of government have a responsibility to mobilize this country for war. They frankly have not done so. We're mortgaging our future, our children, $8 to $9 billion a month," he said, referring to the cost of the war. He defined success in the war as "setting the Iraqi people up for self-reliance with their form of representative government that takes into account tribal, ethnic and religious differences that have always defined Iraqi society." "Iraqis, frankly, in my experience, do not understand democracy. Nor do they understand their responsibilities for a free society," Batiste said. Newbold, the military's top operations officer before the Iraq war, said in a Time magazine opinion piece on Sunday that he regretted having not more openly challenged U.S. leaders who took the United States into "an unnecessary war" in Iraq. Newbold encouraged officers still in the military to voice any doubts they have about the war. On Tuesday, Marine Corps Gen. Pete Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, defended Rumsfeld from the criticism. Rumsfeld said that "there's nothing wrong with people having opinions," and that criticism should be expected during a war as controversial as this one.Retired US Iraq general demands Rumsfeld resign
"Two star generals who are given a division usually aren't candy asses"
I was with a Lt. Col years ago, when one of these (Lion) 2 Stars broke down and cried like a little girl. Stress just got to him. As in all walks of life, there all all types of people and personalities serving at ALL levels.
LLS
Everything you said... DAMN RIGHT!
LLS
I defended this country before you were born. You are nothing but a big mouth with no brains and even less discipline.
"I care. Because if we don't get it right, we'll have to do it again......"
Thats because you see it as being about "Iraq" and helping those poor Iraqi people and democracy.
It's not. Fortunately, those tasked with managing the (WOT) Counteroffensive to Jihad are pragmatic. The true nature of the collective Iraqi populace is the same as all Arab/Muslim groups.....they are merely biding their time, while receiving any element of assistance they can from any source, including and especially the US.
"The enemy of my enemy" is a game all countries play.....our problem is the purported altruistic front the lefties here play with some rewarding results.
Pragmatism always wins. Plenty of jihaddis in Iraq now, and lots more will take off their masks when they are ready. Don't kid yourself about Iraqi's, or at least don't kid me about them, I've got a few years in the gulf states, too.
The true nature of the collective Iraqi populace is the same as all Arab/Muslim groups.....they are merely biding their time, while receiving any element of assistance they can from any source,
Notice that all these cowards don't say a peep until they are retired and are cashing their checks. They certainly can't hold a candle to the active duty officer who spoke out against Clintoon and was summarily sacked, as he knew he would be. Wish I could remember his name, because there aren't many military men like him who will rock the boat knowing what the penalties are.
ummm we've killed more Saudis Jordanians, Syrians and other assorted Arabs in Iraq than actual Iraqis.
Iraq and the WOT are completely and totally intertwined now. There's no separating them. The terrorists have made it so.
Now while you are right that I do care somewhat about what happens to a people that haven't exactly had a chance, it coincides with our goals of pacifying the region by being there.
iraqi shias are arabs, while most of Iranian shia are Farsi......I think the ethnicity divides them more than binds them.......the religion/sect is the wild card, but I don't think it will be dealt unless iraqi shia feel they are heading toward their former status under saddams heel......but for us, THEY ARE ALL MUSLIMS......and THAT assures our ultimate and permanent status in their minds, with or without the israel factor.
The key to the southern areas of Iraq is Al-Sistani. As he goes, so goes the entire southern region.
BTW he was born in Iran and has repeatedly stated that he wants absolutely NOTHING to do with Iran. He says they have strayed from the path.
"Iraq and the WOT are completely and totally intertwined now."
No. They are one and the same......they always were, you just never got it.
All these generals are RINOs! All libs! All DUers! Onward, Freeper Soldiers!!!
You really ought to cut it out. No-one here is more impressed with you than you. 25 years from now you might be wiser unless you insist on being so "special" for that long.
http://www.eucom.mil/english/FullStory.asp?art=557
"“They took a firm stand against tyranny and oppression. It all came together on 30 January 2005 when 64% of Iraqi registered voters … cast their vote. This majority defied the insurgency and proclaimed a desire for freedom and representative government... Batiste said. “Their memorial is in the hearts of 25 million Iraqis who now understand that freedom, liberty and representative government are within their grasp. "
LOL! What a difference a CNN interview makes.
"I can't disagree with you, because that's what I said."
No, thats NOT what you said....THIS is:
"Iraq and the WOT are completely and totally intertwined now."
words mean things, kiddo.
It's the same thing. YOu damn well know it but since you want to side with a troll you are trying to twist things.
I've got better things to do than debate things with you. Thanks for your service, but don't get pissed if/when I start showing your lack of understanding on what is going on in Iraq.
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