Posted on 12/09/2007 10:14:51 AM PST by smoothsailing
December 09, 2007
Anti-War General Flip Flops on the Surge
Rick Moran
One of the Iraq War's harshest military critics, retired General John Batiste, has changed his mind and come out in support of the new counterinsurgency strategy.
In a joint Op-Ed in the Washington Post with Pete Hegseth, executive director of Vets for Freedom, Batiste, who was a board member of the anti-war group Votevets.org, gives some of his reasons for the change of heart:
First, the United States must be successful in the fight against worldwide Islamic extremism. We have seen this ruthless enemy firsthand, and its global ambitions are undeniable. This struggle, the Long War, will probably take decades to prosecute. Failure is not an option.
Second, whether or not we like it, Iraq is central to that fight. We cannot walk away from our strategic interests in the region. Iraq cannot become a staging ground for Islamic extremism or be dominated by other powers in the region, such as Iran and Syria. A premature or precipitous withdrawal from Iraq, without the requisite stability and security, is likely to cause the violence there -- which has decreased substantially but is still present -- to cascade into an even larger humanitarian crisis.
Third, the counterinsurgency campaign led by Gen. David Petraeus is the correct approach in Iraq. It is showing promise of success and, if continued, will provide the Iraqi government the opportunities it desperately needs to stabilize its country.
Michael Goldfarb sums up the significance of the switch: There are two stories here: 1) A formerly anti-war general flips on supporting the war, and now believes Petraeus has the right strategy; and 2) Batiste has left VoteVets.org, and the antiwar movement, and joined up with the pro-troop, pro-surge, pro-victory Vets for Freedom.
The antiwar movement has lost one of its most powerful voices today, and it will be interesting to see whether they turn on one of their own, or come around to the view, supported by a preponderance of evidence, that the surge is working.
It is doubtful that Batiste's former colleagues at VoteVets will change their positions given that they are based on wild conspiracy theories on why we are fighting the war and a healthy dose of Bush hatred. Nevertheless, the defection of one of their highest profile military officers is extremely significant.
Page Printed from: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2007/12/antiwar_general_flip_flops_on.html at December 09, 2007 - 01:04:12 PM EST
We're not teaching them the old way. We're teaching them how to integrate into the current global market. ;-)
Thank you. Some Ron Paul fans here on FR despise us and call us war profiteers.
I don't know about others, but with me, it's a labor of love and I am honored and grateful to be given an opportunity to witness and participate in this. :)
Quote from the general...
Over a year and a half ago, I made a gut-wrenching decision to leave the Army in order to speak out about the war in Iraq. I turned my back on over 31 years of service and what by all accounts would have been a great career. I realized that I was in a unique position to speak out on behalf of Soldiers and their families. I had a moral obligation and duty to do so. My family and I left the only life we knew and entered the political debate. As a two-time combat veteran, I understand the value of thorough planning and deliberate execution. I understand what it takes to win. As a life-long Republican, I am prepared to carry on with the debate for as long as necessary. I have been speaking out for the past 17 months and there is no turning back.
I would be willing to bet Batiste’s former soldiers have one finger for him. Bastiste, a no convictions general, should not be trusted. He sold his soul to the democrats and spouted their talking points for two years. Now that we are winning beyond a doubt, he wants back on the train. Sorry, it is full with loyal riders.
This does not speak well for a General officer, active or retired. To base your policy on the way the wind blows shows a lack of character and commitment, especially on this issue.
Victory has many fathers but defeat is an orphan.
Thanks for this post, Allegra and thanks again for what you do, that sounds very encouraging.
Iraq ping.
Victory has many fathers, failure is an orphan.
This saying cannot be more correct than any other time as we have witnessed in the last 9 months since the tide of the war in Iraq has greatly turned in our favor.
The democrats are going to have problems sleeping in the bed they made.
Only General Batiste can show such courage. /s
Bump (x 35) and a Ping
Great commanders never speak in a negative way while the troops are in harms way, especially when things are going badly.
"There are not enough Chinamen in the world that can stop a fully armed Marine regiment"
Col. Chesty Puller, when 60,000 Chinese troops surrounded the 1st Marines at Chosin.
Batisye was all over the news when he came out against the effort.
It would be interesting to google the General then and now and see the difference in the amount of coverage. IIRC, Hillary was quoting this guy a lot when in April and May she was still saying there was "no change" in strategy.
Eating crow ...
Just further proof that, “Success has a thousand fathers, but failure is an orphan.”
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