Former Navy secretary blasts Bush on Iraq

The Virginian-Pilot ^ | 30 August 2003 | DENNIS O'BRIEN

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Former Navy secretary blasts Bush on Iraq

By DENNIS O'BRIEN, The Virginian-Pilot
© August 30, 2003

NORFOLK -- Former Navy Secretary James Webb blasted the Bush administration's policy on Iraq, saying it was sold to the American people on false premises.

``I am very troubled by the fact that we went into Iraq and very troubled about how we're going to get out of Iraq,'' Webb said Thursday to about 200 naval officers, veterans and civilians at the Radisson Hotel Norfolk. The lecture was sponsored by the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and the Naval War College Foundation.

The United States should quickly get the United Nations involved in administering and patrolling the country, he said.

``We need to get out of there before the mistake we made gets worse,'' said Webb, a Marine Corps veteran.

The Bush administration this week began making efforts toward getting a U.N. force on the ground in Iraq, but a sticking point at the United Nations has been the administration's insistence on a U.S. commander for U.N. troops.

Webb said the troops in Iraq are facing combat experiences similar to those he saw as a platoon leader and company commander in Vietnam, where he was awarded a Navy Cross, a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars for heroism, and two Purple Hearts for wounds.

Webb, who resigned as Navy secretary in 1988 to protest cuts in the size of the fleet, said military leaders have an obligation to their troops.

Bob Briner, a retired Navy captain from Virginia Beach, said he appreciated Webb's observations.

``What I like about Webb is that he's been there, he knows what he's talking about,'' he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Reach Dennis O'Brien at dennis.obrien@pilotonline.com or at 446-2355.

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Fwiw.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Former vet, current pacifist.

[Terp]

I read the article. Only two quotes from the former Secretary. And one may reflect what the author says he said in the article and the other not even close.

[AndyJackson]

I am very troubled by the fact that we went into Iraq and very troubled about how we're going to get out of Iraq.

Wining is for whimps. Webb comes across as as clueless leftist handwringer. What he ought to be doing is thinking about the problem, talking to others, and trying to find a solution.

[8mmMauser]

"Fields of Fire" = "Fields of Smoke", for years he has been a legend in his own mind.

[Diogenesis]

"Use the stolen FBI files already.
I want everyone mentioned in them to be "troubled" immediately.
Use them to manipulate now -- as before - without accountability."

[OpusatFR]

It's the Virginia Pilot, the leftist mouthpiece in a conservative military area.

There is no telling what was said or what the audience reaction truly was.

[sd-joe]

Webb is SO 60's.

He is stuck in the Vietnam trauma.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Thoughts? Another 'Nam?

[Ken522]

One of my favorite "jodies" from that era was this line - "I wanna go to Viet-na-am/Shoot some commies in the ca-an!"

[anton]

8 years of Clinton left a stinking film over most all of U.S. institutions, public and private.

[seamas]

Webb is no commie. He writes articles for conservative publications, and is someone worth listening to. He was Navy secretary under Reagan.

[8mmMauser]

Reaganite In Name Only

[netmilsmom]

And blessed is he that he is working for W instead of Clinton.
Or he'd be dead (ask Vince Foster).

[AndyJackson]

Boy am I flumoxed. I didn't know any of that [/sarcasm]. Webb has been whining ever since he quit as SecNav and he is still whining.

[DUMBGRUNT]

One of my favorite "jodies" from that era was this line - "I wanna go to Viet-na-am/Shoot some commies in the ca-an!"

Please Mr. Johnson drop the bomb,/ cause I don't wana goto vietnam.

[WhiskeyPapa]

Webb is no commie. He writes articles for conservative publications, and is someone worth listening to. He was Navy secretary under Reagan.

You are correct. Webb picked General Al Gray to be Commandant of the Marine Corps.

He resigned --in protest-- when he was essentially directed to lie to the Congress by the SecDef Carlucci. He was medically retired due to wounds.

He is a real hero. The attitudes shown on this thread are amazingly bad.

Walt

[fightu4it]

We haven't even caught Saddam yet and this bozo wants to turn things over to the UN? Get real!

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Gee...lesseee....

Do I agree with the Commander In Chief, or a bitter old retired vet, who is trashing his Country and those who served...

Hmmm....

This is gonna be a tough one....I'll have to think about this for awhile.