Posted on 06/11/2007 10:41:16 AM PDT by conservativecorner
Back in July 2003, President Bush, in response to a question about stepped up attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq, famously and defiantly declared, “Bring ‘em on!” Oh, how that tune has changed.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates - using the old tactic of releasing controversial news just before the weekend in the hope of minimizing press coverage - announced Friday afternoon that “he will advise President Bush to replace Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (this fall), fearing that a contentious renomination hearing in the Senate would focus too heavily on six years of war.”
Apparently, President Bush has accepted the advice.
So let me get this straight, and borrow a famous scene from the movie “Animal House.” The Bush administration’s old attitude toward mass-murdering tyrants and terrorists around the world has been akin to this: “Hussein. He’s a dead man. Bin Laden? Dead. Kim Jung ll? Dead. AHMADINEJAD!!!”
But when it comes to standing up to pasty-faced Harry Reid and the Democrats in the Senate?
“I have decided that at this moment in our history, the nation, our men and women in uniform, and Gen. Pace himself would not be well-served by a divisive ordeal in selecting the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,” said Gates.
What a crock.
Pace was/is eminently qualified (http://www.defenselink.mil/bios/biographydetail.aspx?biographyid=85) to run the nation’s joint military operations. Which is not to say Pace’s replacement isn’t an eminently qualified military professional, as well. He is. But the success or failure of the U.S. effort in Iraq will ultimately be determined by what happens over the next year or so following the “surge.” Why change horses midstream?
As CBS News reports, “Pace’s departure will put nearly an entirely new slate of leaders and military commanders in charge of the war.” Why oust Pace at this critical juncture and bring in a whole new team? It makes no sense.
And it’s a first-degree insult for Gates to suggest that he’s trying to save this Marine general from “a divisive ordeal” before Congress, as though Gen. Pace might not be able handle such a traumatic experience. Get real.
We’re talking about a guy with military decorations up the wazoo, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, with two oak leaf clusters; Defense Superior Service Medal; the Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal with Combat V; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with gold star; Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”; Navy Achievement Medal with gold star; and the Combat Action Ribbon.
I’m pretty sure Gen. Pace didn’t earn all those medals for baking cookies.
A lot of us have been losing faith in this administration’s ability to wage this war for some time now, fearing that political considerations were taking precedence over military ones. If President “Bring ‘em On!” Bush is willing to throw Gen. Pace under the tank for the sole reason of avoiding a political fight with Senate Majority Leader Harry “The War is Lost” Reid and his band of cheese-eating surrender monkeys, then maybe it IS time to bring the troops home immediately.
Semper fi.
It would be good if the president respected the laws of the land and the will of the people. He is not protecting us and our borders. That is his job.
You seem to be obsessed with the idea of impeachment. Do you know something that you would like to share with us?
"Yeah, well, I doubt either of them care much. The WOT will continue with or without your support for current Republican leadership."
Obviously they don't care, or they would be trying to mend fences within the GOP instead of destroying the party. As for the War on Terror, I look forward to a real leader taking over that responsibility in 2009. The one we have is worthless.
I disagree. President Bush is for stronger border control. He has not changed his stance for pro immigration ever. What he is saying now is the same thing he has said from the beginning. He is pro immigrant but pro border control also. Good men can disagree, as he has always said.
real leader taking over that responsibility in 2009. The one we have is worthless.
Yeah, I think anyone reading this thread knows you think the President is absolutly worthless.
General Pace has served this country with honour. I am so sorry to see him leave this post. He will be missed.
You are correct. I can remember him stating his immigration policy in 2000.
Those who claim to be "outraged" now voted for him even when he stated the same policies way back then.
It’s difficult to honor or respect a President who ignores the border and the laws during a war. Especially a War on Terror that was started by illegal immigrants who were allowed in this country. You just don’t want to face reality. The problem belongs to all of us. Why can’t the President see that, instead of continuing down this road of amnesty for illegals? He appears to think his own legacy is more important than our country’s security. Can you understand why people are upset with him?
You say he is pro immigrant. I say he is pro-illegal. There is a big difference.
He is not pro illegal. He wants everyone to come in legally. He is and always has been pro immigrant. Especially from Mexico. He has never wavered. Many in Texas support him in this and agree with him.
Of course...to a point. Problem is...many of those who are upset are way over the top in their vitriol toward the President such as displayed on FR.
An example are those who say they want him impeached despite many extremely positive things he has done and is doing. We would be in a far, far worse mess were it not for President Bush being elected.
Currently, doom and gloom is the order of the day for many on both the right and the left.
You are absolutely correct. I wonder if anyone else was listening to his campaign. He has never wavered. At some time, one has to admire him for having the courage of his convictions. Even when his convictions are not popular with “the base”....He said just this week that this should not be a partisan issue. I agree.
If you say so.
It’s good to see the president still has some supporters.
I and others I talk with these days are very unhappy with his position on amnesty for the illegals.
They come here illegally, they break the laws every day, and they haven’t not earned their right to be here. To the contrary.
I suppose you don’t know any families who have lost a loved one to a drunk illegal driving the wrong way on the highway.
I call it shrinking...it was in my post. The W/H buckled on this, and it looks horrible. Are we really looking for a CJCS who’s afraid to take a stand on some of the divisive issues the military confronts. The first time the USMC gets a CJCS and the W/H cuts the cord on the guy at the first sign that the Democrats might want to put the guy in the middle of a fight. Pace is an intelligent and highly accomplished warrior. He was trying to address what he considered to be an issue that was hurting the military. And, for his candor and leadership, he was rewarded with a pink slip.
Pace knew he’d raise a stink with his comment and he made the comment anyway. That tells me he was ready to argue his case and welcomed the opportunity to do so.
Do you really think that Pace isn’t able to best the Democrats in such a debate?
I certainly know, and read about, people who have lost loved ones to drunken drivers. Those drunken drivers were born here. They are anglo saxon American born citizens of this country.
Yes. He is a man of his word. He does what he promises...even on immigration.
Problem is...immigration was not the hot-button issue in 2000 it is right now; most conservatives were more interested back then on the President's tax, abortion and defense positions.
Well, he has delivered on all those so the media switched attention to immigration since they knew it would divide the right. But those who are calling the President a turncoat or a liar are wrong. His current stance was the same as his stance back then because he believed and still believes it.
You are correct that his long term goal is to see all immigration legal.
Pace is a strong leader who isn’t afraid to call “BS.” For his leadership, courage, and strength he was rewarded with the same treatment many other strong military leaders have received in recent years...he was cut off at the knees.
I agree...with much sadness and I am ashamed of those calling for his resignation. Why have we let partisans in congress now decide who runs our military? We seem to have so few strong leaders. It is our loss to lose this man of honour. He is greatly respected.
Great Post MNJohnie - THANK YOU for reminding people that you have to go to war with the Senate you have, not the Senate you wish you had ;-)
They said the same thing about Bork. But you missed my point.
And here it is again. Why divert any energy from prosecuting the WOT? I'm sure many conservatives are drooling at the mouth to see a big , red meat, multi-week show trial where it would be Gen. Pace against the Levin-Hillary team. Hillary is drooling too...she would love to have her face plastered on TV 24/7 plus she would have the added benefit of distracting the General from his war duties.
The appointed Chairman should stick to his duties in the WOT. I think our soldiers would rather he put all his energy into the real war where people are dying.
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