Gen. Shelton shocks Celebrity Forum, says he won't support Clark for president

Los Altos online ^ | 09/23/03

[jaykay]

Retired General H. Hugh Shelton, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 9/11, shared his recollection of that day and his views of the war against terrorism with the Foothill College Celebrity Forum audience at Flint Center, Sept. 11 and 12.

His review of that historic event and his 38 years in the military kept the audience's rapt attention throughout. But it was his answer to a question from the audience at the end that shocked his listeners.

"What do you think of General Wesley Clark and would you support him as a presidential candidate," was the question put to him by moderator Dick Henning, assuming that all military men stood in support of each other. General Shelton took a drink of water and Henning said, "I noticed you took a drink on that one!"

"That question makes me wish it were vodka," said Shelton. "I've known Wes for a long time. I will tell you the reason he came out of Europe early had to do with integrity and character issues, things that are very near and dear to my heart. I'm not going to say whether I'm a Republican or a Democrat. I'll just say Wes won't get my vote."

Shelton was on a 757 en route to Budapest for a conference when he learned that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Knowing that New York had perfect weather and there were no computer problems, he determined that it was a terrorist attack and immediately turned the plane around.

Shelton's 38 years in the military included two years in Vietnam and service in the 173rd Airborne Brigade and Green Berets. In addition to having been an adviser to the president and a member of the National Security Council, he has been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the Purple Heart and six Distinguished Service Medals. He has been decorated by 15 foreign governments and knighted by Queen Elizabeth.

His 6-foot-6-inch military bearing and commanding presence at the Celebrity Forum belied his recent personal battle. Only months after his retirement, following 400 parachute jumps from 30,000 feet, the former special ops soldier fell from a ladder outside his home, landed with his head caught in a chain-link fence and was partially paralyzed from the neck down.

The doctor told Shelton he would never walk or use his hands again. Shelton said he checked the doctor's name tag for "God"; he didn't see it. Eighty-four days later he walked out on his own, and he is now close to 100 percent recovered. The unfortunate experience taught him an invaluable lesson -- "the importance of faith, family and friends when the chips are down."

Three days after Shelton took office as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, his commitment to the integrity of the military was tested. When U.S. planes in the Iraq no-fly zone were attacked, a member of Congress suggested that perhaps "we" could fly a U-2 spy plane so low over Iraq that it could easily get hit. Then we'd have a reason "to kick Saddam out of Iraq." After Shelton responded that he would order that "just as soon as you are qualified to fly (it)," he was not asked again to compromise his office.

"Sometimes people in a position of power lose perspective on right and wrong," Shelton said.

The events of 9/11 were not a surprise to Shelton. He had been concerned because the United States offers a vulnerable target-rich environment. Two areas continue to worry him. First, a cyber-attack on air control, water, 911, financial or other nationwide systems could "bring us to our knees." Second, the use of weapons of mass destruction, even small amounts of sarin gas, anthrax germs, bio-attacks, continues to be a dangerous threat. Their deployment had been planned for the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993, but al-Qaeda ordered the attack before they were in place.

In order to deal with the ongoing danger, the United States must "continue to go after terrorists," he said. "Bush has maintained the pressure and earned kudos in spite of the criticism."

[wideminded]

As an aside, also at West Point, you will find the phenomena known as 'spring-butts.' These are attention starved people who seek the adulation of others. At a lecture, the spring butts will always ask a question of the lecturer, just to get face time, while the rest of the 999 members of the class just want to get out of there.

You are probably right. On the other hand another interpretation is that only 0.3% of the class is paying attention enough to have a question. Or that others have questions but feel that if they ask one, they will be labelled a "spring-butt". This happens in schools and colleges all over the country.

[big'ol_freeper]

Bout says it all doesn't it?

[GovernmentShrinker]

At this rate, the Clintons won't get to use him for very long . . .

[GOPJ]

This is great news. Thanks.

Add Schwarzkopf to your list of Generals or Retired Generals who do NOT support CLARK.

[batter]

Unfortuneately well spoken.

[CatoRenasci]

If my experience in the Army, law school and VMI is any indication, you don't get labelled a 'spring butt' for paying attention and asking real questions. It's the 'gee whiz sir, look at me I'm so smart' questions that piss most people off.

If you're in a class where you're the only one who give a rat's a&&, though, sometimes you have to find the instructor outside of class to go over stuff. But again, a little discretion goes a long way.

[Al Simmons]

Do y'all recall when Wes Clark ordered the Pristina Commander, British General Sir Michael Jackson, to prevent the Russian armored convoy from securing Pristina Airport in Kosovo in 1999? General Jackson, who was technically Clark's subordinate in the NATO chain, flatly refused, telling Clark over the telephone: "I am not going to start World War III for you!."

Now a couple of personal observations:

I saw Wes Clark a number of times during the Dayton Peace Talks ('95), but never actually worked with him. Never saw
him smile during his conversations in the halls with
various people. Very unapproachable looking.

OTOH, I had the great pleasure to work closely with
(then) Major General Sir Michael Jackson in Banja Luka
in 1996, where he commanded the Brit brigade. He
smoked furiously, slept little, and casually referred
to my boss, MGen Nash, as "Bill". He managed to
cultivate an excellent rapport with the local Serb
commanders, who were VERY mistrustful of our forces at
first. General Sir Michael Jackson was a no-nonsense,
take charge kind of guy, and he and Nash were like
brothers - which goes to show you that his disagreement
with Weasley Clark had nothing to do with nationality,
and everything to do with Clark's lack of control,
perspective and judgment (and as*holiness too, I would
bet!)

Gen. Sir Michael Jackson went on to become the Supreme
Commander of ALL UK forces prior to his retirement
several years ago. Wes Clark, OTOH, got himself FIRED
from Kosovo and relegated to a NATO job from which he
was also summarily FIRED (forced into early retirement).

Anyone seriously considering supporting this man
without looking closely into all this "smoke" about him
is being irresponsible with our national security and
our children's future.

I'm OUT! (RACK ME! as Jim Rome would say :0)

[Republican Red]

Integrity and character issues - wouldn't that get him votes in the democratic party. This story should catapult him to a lock on the democratic nomination.

[Al Simmons]

*BUMP*

[Al Simmons]

*BUMPITY-BUMP*

[Al Simmons]

*BUMPITY-BUMP-BUMP!!!!*

[joesnuffy]

Tells one person one thing and five minutes later tells someone else the opposite?
well where I come from we call that person a liar...
and the father of all lies is also the father of all liars..
Clark gets my vote for most likely to be crowned anti-Christ in this current round of politicans
no wonder the Clinton's are attracted to him.....they know their own kind
Reptiles of a feather and all that

[Thor_Hammar]

Although that is an excellent further indication of his character, I don't believe that was what General Shelton was talking about. He was home BEFORE he go the medal.

In fact, Clark received the very first of the newly minted medals during his retirement ceremony June 23, 2000, presided over by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki.

Now, doesn't it strike anyone here that General Weasely Cluck was the Supreme Commander of NATO and the Commander of EUCOM, but the then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Hugh Shelton, did not preside over his retirement ceremony?

[Republican Red]

Went over to DU. A few people are not to happy with Gen. Shelton. Seems their opinion of him changed today.

Did you all know that, according to DU, Gen. Shelton is being paid-off by the Bush Administration to say these things?

[Behind Liberal Lines]

ping (it's also been picked by by the Wall St. Journal, see sixth item)

http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110004059

[OldCorps]

thanks, that is why i love the army so much; tradition, camraderie and just plain good natured fun. heck, they were probably playing spring butt bingo when Ike was in CGSC.

[My2Cents]

Fools! Character doesn't matter! (/sarcasm)

[My2Cents]

the reason he came out of Europe early had to do with integrity and character issues

Which is precisely why he'll win the Democratic nomination.

[OldCorps]

"Clark gets my vote for most likely to be crowned anti-Christ in this current round of politicans..."

Naw, Bill Clinton, the souless one, has that crown sown up. Heck, whenever i hear Clinton is going to Jeruselem, I stock up on water, food, protective gear, oh and lots of ammo. ;>)