Posted on 09/05/2013 7:40:30 PM PDT by Brad from Tennessee
The tapes tell the tale. Go back and look at images of our nation’s most senior soldier, Gen. Martin Dempsey, and his body language during Tuesday’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings on Syria. It’s pretty obvious that Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, doesn’t want this war.
Dempsey’s unspoken words reflect the opinions of most serving military leaders. By no means do I profess to speak on behalf of all of our men and women in uniform. But I can justifiably share the sentiments of those inside the Pentagon and elsewhere who write the plans and develop strategies for fighting our wars. After personal exchanges with dozens of active and retired soldiers in recent days, I feel confident that what follows represents the overwhelming opinion of serving professionals who have been intimate witnesses to the unfolding events that will lead the United States into its next war.
The tapes tell the tale. Go back and look at images of our nation’s most senior soldier, Gen. Martin Dempsey, and his body language during Tuesday’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings on Syria. It’s pretty obvious that Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, doesn’t want this war. As Secretary of State John Kerry’s thundering voice and arm-waving redounded in rage against Bashar al-Assad’s atrocities, Dempseywas largely (and respectfully) silent.
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They are outraged by the fact that what may happen is an act of war and a willingness to risk American lives to make up for a slip of the tongue about “red lines.” These acts would be for retribution and to restore the reputation of a president. Our serving professionals make the point that killing more Syrians won’t deter Iranian resolve to confront us. The Iranians have already gotten the message. . .
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Bump
Our troops are weary from years of war and Obama has been chipping at them from within for years.
I would have trepidation too.
“...Our troops are weary from years of war ..
Our troops are weary of Obama - they loved President Bush, they trusted him, morale was high, and they would fight for him. For Obama they do what they have to do, morale is low.
Most men could not take 5 rotations in a war zone without problems, even if they were cheered on.
They say the military is a petri dish for society.
Obama has foisted the same crap on us as he foisted on the military.
He is beating us down.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
Then Dempsey should quietly resign. He could say it was for personal reasons. Or he could say he stubbed his toe last week and it still hurts. Or he could say that he'd like to spend more time with his grandchildren.
I get that generals must defer to civilian authority. And that generals have no right to demean the office of the President. But if Dempsey strongly feels that this attack would damage the United States, then he should not be involved in it. He should quietly resign.
What a slap in the face to our troops!
It is always about him--except when he thinks he screwed up--like drawing a red line. Then it's the "other guy" who did it.
Obama Syria policy, an analogy:
You catch your neighbor looking through a knot hole in your fence at your teenage daughter sun bathing. You go to the homeowners association and say this will not be tolerated and there will be serious consequences if it happens again...and demand you assertion be published in the weekly newsletter.
It happens again.
So now you go to the next home owners association meeting and announce that on the following Tuesday you will go to the offending neighbor’s home while he’s at work and kick his dog once...but only once.
That about sums it up.
If Zero is defeated on Syria, defunding ObamaCare will be a lot easier to sell.
No war for ego!
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
Conceptually, I agree with you. However, the time for a resignation has not yet come.
There is no way that GEN Dempsey could quietly resign. It would be a thunderous statement of discord with his Commander in Chief.
My respect has grown for him this week, but he's been too chummy with the Administration for my liking, and he made the bed he's been sleeping in.
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