Posted on 09/01/2003 4:24:17 AM PDT by csvset
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.
You need to see if you can examine an issue objectively.
James Webb is a graduate of the Naval Academy. He was a rifle platoon commander n Viet Nam where he was so badly wounded he had to be medically retired. He only lucked into being an "old vet."
He resignged his dream job -- Secretary of the Navy -- on a matter of principle. For you to dismiss him out of hand makes you look pretty silly. His credentials are unimpeachable.
Also, you can't document his being:
A) Bitter or
B) a retired vet.
Walt
Webb is a graduate of the Naval Academy. He was a rifle platoon commander in Viet Nam with the Marine Corps. He was medically retired from wounds as well as being highly decorated. He is also a very successful author, penning successful novels such as "Fields of Fire."
He resigned as SecNav over a matter of principle in which he basically called the SecDef Carlucci a liar publicly.
Walt
That you would support Oliver North, a convicted felon, over real heroes like Webb and Hackworth says a lot about you. Both Webb and Hackworth have shown lots of moral courage of a type we desperately need.
North showed he could trash the Constitution and then call that a "neat idea."
Walt
So while Webb is a great American and a fine Marine, like many before him have been witht their analyses on the Middle East he is wrong.
Walt
He has a right to -be- wrong without being personally excoriated by the likes of you.
He is a true hero.
Can you show that Webb is:
Bitter, a retired vet, or a bitter retired vet?
Yes, or no?
You made a personal attack on a real American hero because you cannot refute what he said on the merits.
Walt
Maybe Webb, but Hack (I thank him for his service) has become a self-promoting "expert" with "secret sources" that more often than not turn out to be incorrect.
North showed he could trash the Constitution and then call that a "neat idea."
Trash the Constitution? A little bit of an overstatement, don't you think? Ollie devised a clever work-around of the "pro-liberation movement" i.e. pro-Commie, Boland amendment. Now, let's discuss if the Boland amendment was in anyway constitutional.
BTW, Walt. How much do you think Webb is in the loop now days. How many of his buds are still in the armed forces. Are his opinions worth any more than some of the opinions of other folks with great experience, but no real inside info?
No he is not. His conviction was overturned on appeal. He was beating the communist supporters in the Demon Cat party, and they did not like anyone defeating the commies. I would much rather have him watching my back than a few others I can think of.
Doesn't make any difference if he is a hero or even if he is right. He isn't saying what people here want to hear which is that all is well in Iraq and that we are on course and that the administration is never ever wrong. Anyone who disagrees with the party line must be trashed at all costs. Neoconazis rule number one.
Richard W.
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