Posted on 12/17/2006 5:14:36 PM PST by STARWISE
Powell criticized the military prowess of our TROOPS. As a general, he knows very well that troop morale affects troop achievement. His derogation of their efforts during wartime is neither responsible nor admirable.
You're right, of course.
The arm-chair generals are the ones here on FreeRepublic who scream "treason" anytime someone dares to suggest that things in Iraq aren't peachy-keen.
You're right, of course.
The arm-chair generals are the ones here on FreeRepublic who scream "treason" anytime someone dares to suggest that things in Iraq aren't peachy-keen.
Obvious? Have you been reading the NYSlimes again? It's ok if you like Powell, and ok that you correct misinformation here about him, but don't go ruining your moral high ground by concluding that what he said was "obvious." He's undermining the war effort and putting our troops in danger by doing so. THAT is obvious.
Powell's duty is to call it the way he sees it. He does no one any favors to hold is tongue, because if a strategy is bad, spending more lives and dollars to prosecute is patriotism, not folly.
No one can doubt that our post-invasion operations in Iraq have yet to succeed. The only question is whether we are on the path to success with our current strategy, or whether a new strategy is needed.
I think we're doing better than the MSM would lead us to believe, but not nearly good enough. I'm certainly disposed to believe that a retired 4-star (and more recent Secretary of State) is likely to have better informants and a better way to assess evidence than I (or most other FR posters, for that matter).
Bu-bu-but he's not allowed to disagree with Bush!!! That's treason!!!! It's treason I tell ya!. /idiot
We are becoming every bit as intellectually lazy as the left was 10 years ago.
If you earn a Military star in this day and age then you are suspect.
Cols, Hunt & North and others seem to me to be a bit more trustworthy than the big brass politicos.
By their fruit salad ye shall know them.
Unlike the War on Poverty, the War on Drugs, etc., etc. /sarc
The media is not the proper forum for Powell's reservations. President Bush and those in charge are presently reassessing the strategies. Notice that the President has not called on Powell for his input. Why? Think about it.
I trust Col. North ... I no longer trust Col. David Hunt.
Nice going Powell .. you should be ashamed of yourself for making a comment like that
I will not parse "combat troops" to "troops". Two combat brigades (around 6,500 to 7,000) take time to recruit, train, mobilize, and support. The REMF structure currently runs 65 to 70 for each combat troop. Perhaps some wish to mobilize 7,000 troops without proper support, for political gain. Others choose to heed the counsel of retired commanding officers that have been in command positions. There was nothing derogatory to any branch, division, battalion, or unit in this statement. Our troops have won every engagement that they were allowed to win. Mookie is still sucking air, and whoever made the command decision to allow him to live should be summarily discharged. I claim it was at the behest of Wolfowitz.
Put aside the President and Rummy for a moment and think about what kind of message he just sent to the troops
He called them broken
.
The Words
http://www.Freerepublic.com/~ALOHARONNIE
The Pictures
http://www.RickRescorla.com/The%20Statue.htm
The Heroism
http://www.ArmchairGeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24361
.
I wonder what Schwartzkopf thinks of his former boss???
He of all people should know better then to pull a stunt like this
There is no excuse for this
Powell is retired..
His "duty" is no more than any other out of office FORMER General or Secretary of State. He had his time to get it right. Just like Jimmy Carter - some folks don't get the message that their play is over -- curtain down, exist stage LEFT.
His time and his opportunity is gone.
He should show come integrity and class by "speaking his mind" in the appropriate venue... The press is not the appropriate venue.
You seem to have a lot more faith in Powell's intellect, informants and credibility that supported by his long history..
Semper Fi
Our very lives and the future of this nation depend upon victory, and President Bush's efforts are directed to that noble and necessary goal. Powell is not helping.
There's a difference between saying there are problems, and calling our Army "about broken."
I have several military friends that would show him something "broken" if he said that to their faces.
Perhaps you mean a media stunt like this? Military command under civilian control is a benchmark of this great country. What we are discussing here is the civilian control aspect. I have not seen anyone on this forum advocate that field commanders, or troops under military command, disregard or disobey the orders from CENTCOM or the CiC.
Powell is retired. He does not hold a position of command today. He is entitled to express his personal and professional opinion. Some choose to give much weight to this opinion. Others choose to make a racial quota issue, and trash the troops that followed General Powell's orders for 38 years.
Quote two reputable sources that have EVER served under Colin Powell's command with proof of any dereliction of duty, dishonorable conduct, treason, or malfeasance. Heck, quote one. Disillusioned GOP hacks on this forum do not count, unless they can pony up the document.
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