Posted on 09/16/2009 9:31:15 AM PDT by Ooh-Ah
Contact: media@vetsforfreedom / (202) 338-4070
(Washington, DC) Today, Vets For Freedomthe largest Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans organization in Americareleased an online petition urging President Obama to follow the request of the commanders on the ground in Afghanistan and allocate the troop-strength necessary to turn the war around. The Give Our Generals What They Need Petition calls upon the President to honor the forthcoming troop-level recommendations of General Stanley McChrystal and give our troops the same chance to succeed in Afghanistan that they had in Iraq following the Surge.
The full petition can be found at: www.vetsforfreedom.org/give_them_what_they_need
Unlike Iraq, there was consensus at the beginning of the war in Afghanistan that America must be successful in toppling the Taliban and dismantling Al Qaeda, for the safety of our country. Eight years later, the consensus on the war in Afghanistan is fractured; however we believe that the need for victory has not changed, reads the petition. Now is the time for your leadership. If you listen to commanders on the ground, give them what they need, and stand behind our warriors in Afghanistanwe will stand with you. If you dont, and would rather fight the war of necessity with one hand tied behind our back, then we will loudly object.
The "Give Our Generals What They Need" Petition comes less than two weeks after General McChrystals first on-the-ground assessment of the War in Afghanistan. However, this original review did not contain troop numbers. Within the month, Gen. McChrystal is expected to send a separate recommendation to the President on troop increases, but reports have indicated that the President may reject a significant increase in troops on the ground.
Pete Hegseth, the Chairman of Vets for Freedom, is available for interview, as are a number of Afghanistan veterans. Send media requests to media@vetsforfreedom.org or call (202) 338-4070. For more information about Vets for Freedom, please visit www.vetsforfreedom.org
Full text of the petition is below:
President Obama:
We, the undersigned U.S. war veterans and patriotic Americans, petition you with one simple request:
Listen to the commander on the ground in AfghanistanGeneral Stanley A. McChrystaland provide him with the troops he says he needs to win the war in Afghanistan.
By accepting the troop recommendations of General McChrystaland his boss General David Petraeuswe have a chance to turn the war in Afghanistan around. This is a moment in history we must not miss.
Like General Petraeus in Iraq, General McChrystal is an outside-the-box thinker who thrives in the ambiguity of asymmetrical battlefields. Like General Petraeus in Iraq, General McChrystal has the right strategya comprehensive counterinsurgency plan.
In 2007, General Petraeus was given the troops he needed (the Surge) to win, and Iraq has turned aroundresulting in dramatically lower U.S. casualties, a more stable Iraq, and a drawdown of American forces.
General McChrystaland all our brave Soldiers and Marines on the grounddeserve the same chance to win in Afghanistan. They deserve the additional troops needed to turn a winning strategy into a winning result.
We fully acknowledge that the war in Afghanistan has been tough, and is currently headed in the wrong direction. And as you have said, it has been under-resourced, under-funded, and under-manned for years. You have also said that it is a war we must win. We agree on all fronts.
Unlike Iraq, there was consensus at the beginning of the war in Afghanistan that America must be successful in toppling the Taliban and dismantling Al Qaeda, for the safety of our country. Eight years later, the consensus on the war in Afghanistan is fractured; however we believeas do youthat the need for victory has not changed.
During this time of domestic uncertainly and global threats, winning the war will require steadfast Presidential leadership; a Commander-in-Chief who is unwilling to be swayed by lagging poll numbers or party leaders who want to block troop increases.
Now is the time for your leadership. If you listen to commanders on the ground, give them what they need, and stand behind our warriors in Afghanistanwe will stand with you. If you dont, and would rather fight the war of necessity with one hand tied behind our back, then we will loudly object.
Manyin fact a majoritysaid the war in Iraq was unwinnable, yet our troops persevered and turned the tide. Despite the drumbeat of detractorson both sides of the aislethis is another war we can win. But we must act now.
We owe it to the Marines and Soldiers slogging it out with insurgents every day to get this right. If we do, theyll fight, theyll persevere, and theyll win. If we dont, we are setting them up for failure. No less than America greatnessand the legacy of Americas finest warriorsis at stake.
1. Sign the Petition.2. Urge your military/professional network to sign the Petition
3. Urge your friends and family to sign the Petition.
4. Send this petition to media contacts you have. Again, press release can be found above.
5. MOST IMPORTANTLY-Ask all of them to forward the Petition to 5 of their friends/contacts.
I agree generals should be given what they need, but the political leadership now in place is going to make that heap of sand another Vietnam.
Fix the ROE.
The long form birth certificate that will either toss the marxist bum out or provide evidence that his orders are lawfully given.
We should not only give them what they need, we need to allow them to fight the war the way a war should be fought. Take the restrictions off of the military and bring JAG off the battle field. If we are going to pussy foot around, get out.
Before the generals are given “everything they need” — or even a single thing on their list of needs — let’s first give them a definitive statement on what exactly they’re supposed to be accomplishing over there.
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