Franks: Soldiers' Deaths Cost of Security (retired Gen. Tommy Franks at NRA banquet)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 5/20/06 | Colin Fly - ap

[NormsRevenge]

MILWAUKEE - Those who count the increasing number of American soldiers killed in Iraq are missing the bigger picture, retired Gen. Tommy Franks said Saturday night.

"What we're talking about is neither 2,400, 24,000 or 240,000 lives," Franks said at the National Rifle Association's annual banquet. "Terrorism is a thing that threatens our way of life. It doesn't have anything to do with politics."

More than 2,400 soldiers have died since the beginning of the invasion of Iraq, the plan for which Franks developed and executed. He also oversaw combat in Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

"I watched as America changed," Franks said. "That's not near done. We have to secure ourselves. We have to secure our Constitution."

During his 30-minute speech, Franks took an occasional jab at the media and fellow generals for attacking Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

"We haven't got any generals here. They're all in front of TV cameras complaining about Don Rumsfeld," Franks deadpanned. "Difference is, I know what I'm talking about."

Franks staunchly defended his friend — even as he called him "grumpy" and "grouchy."

"I don't care about your politics. I don't. Don Rumsfeld is an American patriot."

Franks retired in 2003 after a 36-year career in the Army, highlighted by becoming commander of Central Command in June 2000. He received warm ovations from the 3,000 NRA members in attendance.

"It makes me think about going into politics," Franks said. "The great blessing is that thought doesn't last long."

[NormsRevenge]

This speaks volumes to those who just don't get 'it', imo.

[SandRat]

A Patriot's Read and a Patriot tells the truth!

[zip]

ping

[Axhandle]

I heard the questions several times regarding "was the war worth X number of Soldiers killed?" Of course not. That doesn't mean the war was not necessary. A good friend of mine was killed in a car accident on the way to the grocery store. Was it worth it? Of course not. But sometimes you have to go to the grocery store. Likewise, war isn't worth the Soldiers who die, but it is still necessary.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

"Terrorism is a thing that threatens our way of life. It doesn't have anything to do with politics."

Who am I to disagree with GEN Franks?

Our prosecution of this war has a lot to do with politics. One of our political parties has staked their future on our failure. Murtha, Rockefeller, Kerry, Dean, Pelosi, obstruct, hinder, damage morale and embolden the enemy. How much closer would we now be to victory had we not suffered such impediments?

[Berlin_Freeper]

Besides the obvious question of security there is this to consider...

If America failed to maintain it's Super Power status, mush of the rest of the world would descend on The US like a pack of wolves stripping away Americas wealth and thus way of life.

If not with actual armies then through so-called "world courts" with tremendous financial penalties for every alleged crime that can possibly be imagined. Perhaps it would start slow with a case here and there but once the ball got rolling America would be stripped down to the bones and probably divided up.

America needs to stay strong and assert itself. The Godless gutless wonders of the Left are extremely dangerous because they actually want 3rd world life styles where they can stay home humping their own children all day.

[Eagles6]

save

[LeoWindhorse]

General Franks , I salute you sir

[L.N. Smithee]

This isn't an easy thing to discuss, because while the number of lives lost is relatively low in comparison to other important American operations (ESPECIALLY Vietnam), each loss leaves an void that can't possibly be replaced. Nevertheless, if one is going to tolerate a running tally of American soldiers killed, they should put it in perspective when Vietnam is invoked by the likes of John Murtha.

[Critical Bill]

I am 1/2 way thru read his autobiography " American Soldier". He is my hero pure and simple. Wish he would run for the senate tho.

[Critical Bill]

they can stay home humping their own children all day.

lol...you got that right .

[blackbart.223]

One of our political parties has staked their future on our failure. Murtha, Rockefeller, Kerry, Dean, Pelosi, obstruct, hinder, damage morale and embolden the enemy

You left out that P.O.S. Ted Kennedy.

[RobbyS]

When the average is 2 killed and another 10 or 15 wounded each day, only those blind to history dare to compare Iraq with earlier wars. To me it seems that the Phillipine Insurrection and the later campaigns against the Moros come closest.

[SevenMinusOne]

Gen Franks "gets it" - Always has -

[RichardW]

To hear the peace at any price bunch tell it we can't afford to have any casualties. I wonder if this bunch had been in power in December, 1944 would have said the same thing. We lost 19,000 dead in the Battle of the Bulge just four months before Hitler put a bullet in his brain.

[don-o]

Did a quick search for a transcript. Cannot find it. Anyone?

A Franks / Honore team sounds about right for Pres / VP in these dangerous days. Can I get a witness?

[ohioman]

General Patton would love this guy.

[don-o]

Nevertheless, if one is going to tolerate a running tally of American soldiers killed, they should put it in perspective when Vietnam is invoked by the likes of John Murtha.

Yup. But the toothpase is out of the tube. All that can be done is keep telling the truth and giving perspective and context to the pap and spin that the sheeple daily ingest from the MSM.

[Republican Red]

Franks/Rice sounds more tasty.