""Since when did spending their entire adult lives serving their country in peace and war mean that these men forfit their right to speak freely once they are out?"
I absolutely agree. I'm really disturbed that we treat retired generals like traitors on this board, simply because they spoke out. Do we, sitting at home typing on our computers, know more about the failures and accomplishments of our war strategy than retired generals who actually served in this war? I believe that supporting our troops should mean actually SUPPORTING them, even when we disagree with what they say.
They may be 100% wrong, but they have earned the right once they're out to speak their mind. They have credibility that none of us have earned, since none of us are retired generals. They were in a better position than we to know if Rumsfeld bungled the Iraq occupation and reconstruction.
This is making me uneasy. These guys can't all be dismissed as "Clinton Komissars" or in league with the MSM liberals or writing books, etc. If a career officer chooses to resign rather than accept a promotion to 3star general because of serious misgivings about the mission, the admin. should be taking notice.
There is a "circle the wagon" mentality that is kicking in when things get rough at the very time when this admin. should be getting fresh input. When the public begins to have doubts about a war, is the time to be more forthcoming. Otherwise, people's worst fears start being considered.