Was there ever any doubt that soldiers are little more than props to this administration?

it has taken over 40 years to get our VA Medical Centers to an above average standard. i have been impressed in the medical facilties staff, efficiency, and equipment. There is no reason to begin taking steps backwards. More and more veterans are going to have to rely on VA medical centers for care in the near and in the far future.

Why is it that only safely retired Generals have the courage to question this Administration about anything. For four years our senior leaders have followed failed tactics without objecting. We have had four years of humiliating defeat at the hands of irregulars. With 3,225 dead and 25,000 wounded American soldiers as evidence of their failure, our Generals have plodded on. Not one American senior officer has had the courage to object to our failure. A "surge" three or four years ago might have had a chance of success. No General would take a personal risk for his Army or his Country. They should be hiding in shame, not advising the hapless Commander in Chief

I can't understand why this president would, on the one hand, glorify our soldiers as heroes then neglect seeing to it that they receive the utmost in medical treatment. I tend to believe that he's only interested in using them to accomplish his agenda and then washing his hands of them when they need his support the most. No American in the military should ever want for anything!

I have no doubt that this is another ploy by Bush to drum up support for the war in Iraq....he doesn't visit Walter Reed hospital any more than any other military hospital or any more than he visits New Orleans. He is going to Walter Reed, not to fix problems and help our military but to help his rating and fix things for himself. Whatever made anyone think this President cares about anyone except his supporters, his base. He has proven this time and again over the past few years.

It seems to me it's these retired Generals, not the President, that used the wounded soldiers as political props for THEIR OWN AGENDA.

Disgusting!

Mr President:
I join the groundswell of voices who cry out, "Shame on all of us", and especially you, Mr President, for allowing this horrible, immoral and unconscionable situation to exist. Our returning heroes deserve the best. How could this happen in our country? Many will carry their wounds, their scars until their death. We need to do everything possible to ease the road ahead for them and here we are, not even offering them a clean place to lay their broken bodies. I am ashamed for us all.

This president as well as the VicePresident don't care about our military the way they should. Hear them talking they care about our service men and women but, when it comes to fund the VA,they are absent. How come they want to cut 650 million dollars from military health care when we have hundreds and thousands of troops wounded coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan.

wow

Maybe if the Generals had concentrated on thier jobs vs giving political advice to the President, we wouldn't have this problem in the first place. The military is dreadfully lacking in leadership; ALL Branches.

I've noticed among my veteran friends that the ones without serious injury, who just need regular care and check-ups like a civilian would are very positive and speak well of the VA system. The ones that have severe injuries that cause long-term problems and call for more subtle care and complex medical solutions are the ones who can't get treated properly or in a timely manner.

Bush continues to use the troops for sound bites and photo opts. It is truly a shame. I do not believe this president or administration cares about the fighting men and woman in the armed forces, after all, we have heard it time and time again....they volunteered.

I feel like the fact that they volunteered should not be used against them but should be used for them. We should be very, very careful how we treat these soldiers, how we are willing to scarifice them. Sparta rarely voted to go to war while Athens frequently did. Use all your resources carefully especially when its another person's son or daughter while your offspring are partying hard around the world.

but my friend, soldiers are nothing but fodder for the elite's political aims, always have been...so what is the difference what he talks about?

Maybe if the Generals had concentrated on thier jobs vs giving political advice to the President, we wouldn't have this problem in the first place. The military is dreadfully lacking in leadership; ALL Branches.

Seems as if all the comments are falling in line with this article (or should I say commentary, as in opinion of the author). When are people going to realize we are at war and we better do everything we can to protect our soldiers, both physically and giving them the mental boost that we support their efforts instead of falling in line with liberal retreatists.

Walter Reed certainly isn't the only VA Hospital is enormous problems. Why doesn't our president come to his home state of Texas and visit the VA hospitals and clinics in Dallas, Waco, Temple and especially Audie Murphy Hospital.
Our vets deserve much, much more than what they are receiving.
This problem did not happen over night, but many, many years ago and it has been allowed to fester all of this time.
Something other than lip service needs to be done now.

I think these generals have no business criticizing President Bush. After all, they all might very well commit sex crimes sometime in the future. I'll go even further to say that they might even molest preteen children. As representatives of our armed forces, I think they should be very careful not to engage in such disgraceful behavior.

We spend too much money financing Blackwater "security contracters."
Why should we treat our troops any differently
than we treated Katrina victums. Neglect is what this administration is all about. Some 20 year old is getting his legs blown off in Anbar Province while Rove is doing his "hip-hop routine
at a party. And, the Generals have the idea that they even care????.......

Once a General, always a General! There is no time when a less ranking officer ever tell the "Commander-in-Chief" what to say and when to say it! Get real Generals! You are to keep your thoughts to yourself!

FOR THESE THREE GENERALS TO USE "PRESS REPORTS" AND "REPORTERS QUESTIONS" TO PROJECT THE PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO WALTER REED AS BEING POLITICALLY MOTIVATED, WAS DISGUSTING AND SHAMEFUL; IT IS ESPECIALLY IRONIC CONSIDERING THAT THE UPPER STRATA OF THE ARMY IS ABOUT AS POLITICAL AS IT GETS..IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THESE SO-CALLED-OFFICERS WAITED OUT THEIR CAREERS, ARE COLLECTIING THEIR PENSIONS, AND WOULD GO TO WALTER REED IF THEY BECAME ILL. HAS "PEACETIME" AFFECTED YOUR QUALITY OF LOYALTY, Sirs! ?

As a veteran I can tell you that the VA hospital is on par with other government facilities in the Washington DC area. The problems is not medical care per se, it is the government employees who can't be fired for except for almost an act of congress.

Also,we have had "surges" throughout the war, it is the change of tactics in this particular instance that is making this current surge work. Soldiers are props for every administration including the current crop of presidential candidates.

I'm about as opposed to the Bush administration as anyone could possibly be, but THIS problem predates Bush by at least 30 years. He is only one of many presidents dating back to LBJ who have ignored veterans' needs.

Wow....

A bunch of screaming liberals criticizing the President for doing something before it even happens. This isn't a left-wing rag, really it isn't. You're all not a bunch of hive-minds, really you aren't.

When the proverbial 'stuff' hits the fan with the lunatics in Iran you will all, or should all, be thankful for the vision the President showed in establishing a presence in the Middle East.

It's no coincidence that we've established ourselves on both the Eastern and Western boarder of the USA's greatest rising threat. That's called strategy. Sheesh, I hope you people don't play chess.

As for the visit to Walter Reed, try letting the President complete the visit before interviewing every general you can find to criticize what "Might" happen. Liberal Trash.

It's no coincidence that we've established ourselves on both the Eastern and Western boarder of the USA's greatest rising threat. That's called strategy. Sheesh, I hope you people don't play chess.

As for the visit to Walter Reed, try letting the President complete the visit before interviewing every general you can find to critisize what "Might" happen. Liberal Trash.

A rich 'senator's son' -- who went AWOL when his cushy National Guard unit was called to Vietnam -- isn't going to be much of an advocate for the common soldier and common man. When new-enlistments plummet, we have a presiden whose first instinct how to fix that... is to 'slash' federal aid for students. When Bush defended the right to use torture to gain enemy confessions, it were the RESERVISTS who went to prison (not a single officer and not a single person from Intelligence was charged with a crime).
There have been up to 100,000 'contractor soldiers' in Iraq, working for outfits like Halliburton's KBR subsidiary: they get salaries up to 6 figures, and ALL the HEALTH CARE they want. Why is that?

@c.perry

re: speaking out

I understand your frustration that only retired generals feel the 'courage' to speak out against the administration, but consider the position of a career soldier who has a wife, perhaps a couple of kids in college, and a pension on the line. I know it sounds less courageous to stand for your family, but there are probably thousands of officers who are having a tough time sleeping at night knowing that they have to choose between saying what they feel and keeping a check coming in the door.

It isn't as easy as you make it sound.

President Bush has continually used our Men and Women in the Armed Forces to build up his own position and interests in this un-ending war. Why did he wait so long to visit Walter Reed Hospital after hearing of the deglect the men and women he claims to be so proud of? Instead of saving the skins of Gonzalez and Rove who are very capable of taking care of themselves, he should take care of the ones who have shed their blood and given lives for the us all and for the very people who promised to care for them on their return home. Mr. President, let your words match your actions.

Soldiers and veterans are treated as props by politicians on all sides, of all types, at all times. This kind of behavior is not limited to this administration, unfortunately.

Michael Tatom,

Dubya is an uncurious man. He surrounds himself with sycophants who tell him what he wants to hear.

As such, he has been told that the Iraq War can be done on the cheap (except Halliburton, but that's another post) and that is exactly what he's done.

General Shinseki said it'd take about 300,000 troops, Dubya didn't like it and Shinseki was gone. I have personally met Marines who bittery describe scrounging through garbage dumps for "hillbilly armor" to weld onto their Humvees.

In WWII FDR spared no expense in providing for our fighting men and women and it was paid for on a bi-partisan basis. We cranked out ships, planes, bullets and bombs by the tons because we were all in together.

Now we have a bunch of crybaby Republican chickenhawks whose motto seems to be "Nothing is too good for our soldiers, I just don't want to pay for it."

Doesn't he amaze you. Whoever is guiding Bush, needs to take a cold shower. Day after Day, he says the wrong thing, visit the wrong places, and backs the wrong agenda. The American people voted for change,,unfortunity he is still around and continues to dance the Cheney Bush Rove stroll. Doesn't it make you want to slap him..tell him to grow up. Have a great weekend.

To C. Perry -- One of the great things about this country is that our military has always been run by civilians. Two are at the top of the chain of command -- the President and the Secretary of Defense, with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs reporting to them. From early on -- before the war started -- Gen. Shinseki gave his estimate of the manpower requirements to congress. It cost him his job. Runsfeld and Wolfowitz knew better. Our senior officers speak their minds to their leaders -- usually behind closed doors. They rarely, if ever, do so in public. If they're rebuked or simply not listened to -- which has normally been the case with this administration -- they salute and carry out their orders or choose to resign. While in uniform, generals don't take their case to the papers or make public statements contrary to their superiors. Out of uniform, they are free to speak their minds just like the rest of us, since they are no longer bound by their oath and no longer subject to the Uniform Code of Miltary Justice.

I am a veteran of the first gulf conflict, and I have recently been going to the VA clinic for (unrelated) health concerns. Veterans, sitting in waiting rooms, have nothing but honesty to share on this subject. No cameras and no theater.
If the current administration, or anyone for that matter, want a reality check, they would do well to ask those folks.
Personally, I'm fairly angry at the hypocrisy the administration has created with their hearty pushing of the "Support Our Troops" campaign.
A rally cry for the start of war.
Well....wars end and people are hurt.
So when the masses say 'Support Our Troops', that goes for after they've fought the wars too.
For your freedom.

These generals are a real piece of work. They urge the President not to use the Walter Reed scandal for political purposes while fully being aware that they are using this teleconference with reporters for purely political reasons. It's disgusting.

The President has shown that his idea of running government is only about what it can deliver for his political situation and his buddies. The retired generals are correct to speak out. I'm sure they did their best while in uniform and at that time they would have been labeled insubordinate by the Bushies. Now they are free to speak out and are doing their duty as citizens!
Don't retired generals have freedom of speech? The Bushies haven't quite killed that yet!

@bobA

Let your feelings out, Bob. Don't hold back.

By the way, what does playing chess have to do with injured soldiers? Sticking with your metaphor, are these injured soldiers represented by the pieces you have sitting on the side of the chess board while you are playing? Do you ever look at them while your opponent is considering their next move, or is your concentration too focused on the board itself?

Just curious.

I'm so happy we didn't have to sit through such horrible propaganda again. I get tired of wanting to vomit at his photo ops.

Thank you for speaking up Generals.

Of course only retired generals dare speak up. Any who questioned the current regime's policies while on active duty were fired.

Spare me the outrage! Democrats and Republicans have used and abused the troops during and after most wars. The "American People," have always allowed it to happen.

The emporer has no shame. Bush and props come hand-in-hand. When you have nothing substantive to offer, what else can you do? Bush himself is a prop; he is a prop for big oil, a prop for Cheney and the rest of his neo-nuts, and a prop for Rove's machiavellianism. While Rove fiddles for YouTube, our national honor burns.

rrr

I like gays in military !!!!!!!

Bush has always used Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen as props.

That has been obvious for years.

Glad the Generals are finally calling the little draft-dodger on it.

I think it's great to finally have some people stand up and say that our Commander in Chief has questions to be answered to; that his job is to serve the American citizens and soldiers. This helps to send the message that it's okay not to agree with those in power, which seems to be perceived as an unforgivable sin for some people nowadays. This "sin" is deeply embedded in our history; if you don't believe me, take a look at our history books. Everyone has the right to an opinion, even if it's wrong. That being said, the opinions of some have more power than others. These Generals have balls, and I respect anyone with enough guts to stand up for what he or she believes in, even if it's taboo.

THE PRESIDENT IS LOOSING THE RESPECT OF THE CORPS. ALL THE WAY AROUND THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED IN IRAQ AND THOSE THERE NOW!!!!!!

@ Mark Sweeny...

Do you consider it "Un-Biased" reporting to chase down every retired general you can find and pose them with an unattractive "What If" and then post their responses?

Here's a news flash, we all care about the troops. Two of my best friends are serving over there; One of them because he believes in the mission, the other because he used the National Guard to put himself through college. I thank the stars for both of them and their service.

The chess reference is simple. Everyone screams and sqwaks about the lack of WMD being found in Iraq as if that automatically completely invalidates our presence there. The fact is that Iran is a Rising Threat and our presence in Iraq will help us contain it. I think it would be foolish to think the Top Brass in the Military, CIA, and Pentagon didn't have that in mind when they made their war recommendations to President Bush.

Many people, myself included, see a coming Clash of Civilizations with Arab/Islamic Culture. The fact is they hate our way of life and want to see it destroyed. Bush is the first president to respond to this threat with anything more than a weak volley of missles aimed at an empty camp. I for one know he cares about my two friends serving in Iraq and I support him fully.

Cheers.

I think only 5% of you know what the problems are at Walter Reed! Of the dozens of buildings at Walter Reed only building 18 was the problem. That building was reopened by a company commander for outpatients. This "scandal" has been blown so far out of prortion it is ridiculous. Are there other problems, I'm sure there are, just like at any hospital or government facility. But this current problem is supposed to be about building 18, not every building.

Most of you people posting comments need to quit reading the democrat's talking points and ask yourself what do you really know about the problem.

Semper Fi!

I know many of you hate President Bush and everything he says or does, but this teleconference really takes the cake. First the media Bush-bashers talk about what he MIGHT say, then you whistle up some talking heads to denounce that hypothetical statement, all before Mr. Bush even gets to the podium.

Now that he has ACTUALLY spoken and did nothing but praise the medical staffs serving our wounded troops, nothing but state unequivocably that his Government will do whatever it takes to provide the best medical care for our wounded, don't you suppose the talking heads will want to have another teleconferenced to praise what Mr. Bush said (since he didn't even mention the political debate you were so afraid he would showcase)? No, I didn't think so.

George Bush is a bad bad bad bad man. And foo on the intellectually dishonest and ridiculous "James", "r owen", "Mike in Oklahoma", "Tommy Wood",
"Virginia Goettelman", "bill", and "bobA". As for "Douglass", his comment is so bizarre, I'm wondering if it is a parody of a slavish Bush supporter who can do no better than try to slay the messenger with absurd charges -- but it's hard to tell, because the actual words of such folks often go beyond parody.

In response to Mr. C. Perry's post. You might recall that the CIC of the Army, General Shinseki took a firm stand in his advise on the needed troop strength for the invasion and OCCUPATION of Iraq. He recommended 400K - 500K troops to the SecDef and Bush. He was publicly ridiculed by Assistant SecDef Paul Wolfowitz and forced to resign from the Army. What message do you think this might have sent to other senior military commanders. Also, military officers can not publicly make any statements regarding the policies of their elected political leaders, while on ACTIVE DUTY. Remember General Douglas MacArthur and President Truman in another little fiasco called The Korean War.

Well, if anyone watched bush he did exactly what the generals did NOT want. Standing all around bush were wounded soldiers as he gave his list of future broken promises. (Other than tax cuts for the rich I challenge anyone to name of promise this despicable man has kept)

The man is a pox on this once great nation. If we are to restore any sense of what we once were we should start by having a trail for most of the top people in this administration for crimes against humanity.

Bush apologized.. hmm. Isn't this the first time he's EVER apologized while in office? Seems to me that he has a lot to apologize for, but at least he apologized. Now let's see if he actually DOES something. His track record would suggest otherwise.

I imagine his first step will be to rescind his decision to CUT funding to the very group he just visited!

Oh, BobA, that was a RIGHT WING decision. Wasn't it? Since it was RIGHT WINGERS who submitted this funding cut.... Can I make it any plainer for you?

To "Mike in Oklahoma":
We are not at "war." If we were, there would be a draft, gas rationing, and a call for sacrifice on behalf of ALL Americans.
Instead we're in a conflict where only 1/3 of one percent of the population is involved. The volunteer army means that people who support this "war" can post their thoughts on a message board and then sit on the sidelines while other people's kids do all of the fighting.

Interesting that the Tribune and other media would collaborate with the National Security Network, which the Tribune describes as a Democratic-leaning organization, in a "conference call" to elicit the various statements that were obviously planned.

Many people, myself included, see a coming Clash of Civilizations with Arab/Islamic Culture. The fact is they hate our way of life and want to see it destroyed.
Posted by: bobA | Mar 30, 2007 3:30:19 PM

Hey at least we have someone with guts to admit what this is.....A religious war. Not that I agree with him but he has called it like it is. Not a war on terror, but a war on islam. Tell me
bob...why do you think Bush doesn't just go ahead and call it what it is?

Well said and about time. What bush's actions are really showing is a complete callousness and disregard for anyone but himself and his self-serving syncophants. Mind you it is his actions that are the evidence of his true character and intent, instead of his famous talking points. It is just a further tragedy that so many have died and had their futures ruined because there are so many willing to defend, deny and argue for such a shallow callous "leader". I just wonder come "08" how many are going to vote republican despite the overwhelming evidence of the republicans lock step enabling, of such a obviously self serving party and administration.

Of course Bush isn't going to address the problems that need to be fixed. As far as the Bush regime is concerned there are no problems. The "care" being provided for the soldiers is having its desired effect: programming them to be mindless killing machines. Here's another article on the subject http://www.signs-of-the-times.org/articles/show/129421-Programmed+to+Kill

@Shaka:

You have a PROBLEM with obviously planned statements? Dude, where have you been? (Pardon me for assuming Shaka is a dude. Mea culpa if I'm wrong). This administration has been one long planned statement. Does "Mission Accomplished" ring any bells? Seems like lately, obviously planned mis-statements are the order of the day. Just ask Alberto.

rrr

There are so many ways that this situation is totally
wrong that it is hard to comment on a single portion of it. The bottom line is simply this: If you ask someone to give everything they have, including some-
times their life, for their country, the only position that is then reasonable is you make available ALL your resources to repair any injury they may have received.

You know I would have more respect for the Troops if they had more respect for the American People, and helped us defend the US Constitution and Bill of Rights from a Tyrannical Government. But All you get is talking points from the Fox Nothing Channel, Drudge, Rush, and uh I just feel like the USA is heading into a civil war.

"Why is it that only safely retired Generals have the courage to question this Administration about anything."

Simple answer: if you are currently in uniform, and publicly raise a stink, it is a crime.
that is not an exaggeration, it is simple fact.

The military protects, but is not protected by, the constitution. The Military is governed by the UCMJ, and the protections on free speech are severely curtailed, as well as that 5th amendment and other matters.
interestingly, when called before the civilian congress, the constitution does apply... so anyone there can plead the 5th, something that they cannot do in a court martial.

"The fact is that Iran is a Rising Threat and our presence in Iraq will help us contain it."
Posted by: bobA | Mar 30, 2007 3:30:19 PM

Dream on bobA.

Generals!

He's giving them their props, not using them as props!
No no...

"Bush apologized.. hmm. Isn't this the first time he's EVER apologized while in office? Seems to me that he has a lot to apologize for, but at least he apologized. Now let's see if he actually DOES something. His track record would suggest otherwise."

I'm sick of this apology nonsense, as it accomplishes NOTHING. Instead, lead by example and admit personal responsibility for their incompetent actions and resign!

Oh, well, I can dream...

@bobA

"Do you consider it "Un-Biased" reporting to chase down every retired general you can find and pose them with an unattractive "What If" and then post their responses?"

I don't think any reporting can be completely unbiased. Have you ever been to an accident site? Have you read any scientific literature on the veracity of eye witness testimony?

But what of what value would it be to ignore these retired generals? I agree a more balanced article would include generals who support using the soldiers as props for political gain. Do you know any who would support that position Bob?

"Here's a news flash, we all care about the troops. Two of my best friends are serving over there; One of them because he believes in the mission, the other because he used the National Guard to put himself through college. I thank the stars for both of them and their service."

Yeah. Thanks to all of those who are serving. What does that have to do with the Administration's position again?

"The chess reference is simple. Everyone screams and sqwaks about the lack of WMD being found in Iraq as if that automatically completely invalidates our presence there."

There weren't any weapons of mass destruction at the time of the invasion, Bob. The intelligence given to the President was flawed. Whether it was cooked, or the people who delivered it was half-baked, it doesn't really matter: Our troops are in the middle of a civil war based on flawed intelligence - that is a fact. I, for one, fault the President only for hiring people with poor decision making skills. I would blame the CEO of a Fortune 500 company for the same reasons. Here's a news flash for you, Bob: I'm not a Democrat.

You see Bob, I know that Saddam was not our buddy. Saddam was Saddam's buddy. As most of the world knows, Saddam *had* WMD. The evidence is overwhelming to everyone except those who chose to believe in fairies and unicorns. He gassed the Kurds in the Al-Anfal campaign.

Here is something else many people don't know. Saddam was hoping to get a large enough projectile launching capability to fire ballistic warheads without missiles. Google the sad story of Dr. Gerald Bull and his Super Cannon for more on that bit of Iraqi history.

And then there is the infamous trip to Niger. Despite what Joe Wilson has written and said in public, there is ample evidence that contacts between Saddam's regime and the Nigerians were for more than just cultural exchange. For a more detailed explanation of the trip, you should read the story from Christopher Hitchens, a person who is not exactly a GWB fan-boy:

http://www.slate.com/id/2139609/

And last, but certainly not least, you should take the time to see for yourself the extent to which Saddam had moved into the nuclear arms business. For that demonstration, I encourage you to head over to google video and watch a physics lecture on nukes by Professor Richard A. Muller. Between times 42:40 to 45:07 of the video, Professor Muller provides incontrovertible proof that Saddam was using US technology to enrich uranium.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3893232447213614208&q=physics+10+lecture&hl=en

The fact remains that had the US not invaded in 2003 to disrupt WMD activities, we would have had to do it eventually.

"The fact is that Iran is a Rising Threat and our presence in Iraq will help us contain it."

That is an unsupported statement. There is no connection between a rising Persian Empire, and a crazed Arab who thought he was a reincarnated Saladin.

"I think it would be foolish to think the Top Brass in the Military, CIA, and Pentagon didn't have that in mind when they made their war recommendations to President Bush."

I think I've provided more justification than you have.

"Many people, myself included, see a coming Clash of Civilizations with Arab/Islamic Culture."

Arabs are not Persians are not Asians. Yet all of them have Muslims. The problem with your thinking will be the weakness of our counter-intelligence profile until it is corrected.

"The fact is they hate our way of life and want to see it destroyed."

The fact is not a single Arab country can agree on what time it is. Witness the current Arab summit.

"Bush is the first president to respond to this threat with anything more than a weak volley of missles aimed at an empty camp."

Reagan included? Wow, I guess the Gipper is really dead after all!

"I for one know he cares about my two friends serving in Iraq and I support him fully."

Sorry, but I don't base my foreign policy decisions on whether my friends and/or family are in the middle of a war.

The simple question is, "Would Bush exercise restraint in politicizing anything?"

The simple answer: "No."

Yes, very interesting, could it be that things in the media are finally shifting and that the bully-memes of the Right have lost their effectiveness and are starting to fall away like a house of cards?

Grem-Or is it that their games have lost their effectiveness, because we have finally seen behind the curtain and found that the wizard is merely a fat, balding, man-boy and his chattering, cowboy companion?

The truth is that President Bush has already shown his true colors, time and time again. This war that has destroyed the lives of millions of innocent people because what governments think is what is shameful. We have to see and understand both sides of the issue, that being right all the time shows how wrong things really are. The United States' business community has the attitude that the only way to thrive is to exploit countries that have what they want. This take all, give back nothing has finally caught up with our erred way of our own greed. There has been NO civilization in history that has survived world domination. We have forgotten that a cornered rat fights back relentlesly and I'm affraid that is what's happening now.
There are NO men with real vision in our government at any level. If there were we wouldn't have these kinds of problems over and over again. They need to be reminded constantly that the men and women who fight their wars deserve nothing but the best of care and rewards, politics be damned.

Active duty officers are bound not to publicly oppose or criticize command decisions--Bush is the commander in chief.
In warning Bush of use of soldiers as props is not political--there is no democratic or liberal agenda that is being advanced in reminding the commander in chief that issues should be decided on their merits and not to conflate patriotism and respect for the sacrifice of our military personnel into a smoke screen.
The current commander in chief has repeatedly failed to keep himself informed on crucial issues instead delegating authority and oversight.
Those defenders of the commander in chief attack anyone who dares to speak the truth. Unfortunately, history may be the cruelest judge of the incompetence that has marked this administration since it seems there are so many of us who continue to believe contrary to facts in the decisions being made on behalf of our government. The the medical treatment of many milatary are by all accounts shameful. Yet, the only response is to call a press conference.
Some will think I am a leftwing nut because I believe that taking responsibility is something better than staging a political event.

I agree strongly with c. perry that it's a sad time when only those not risking their lives for mr. bush's vendetta are willing to speak out against this waste of human life and national reputation.

The sooner bush is removed from office, the better. It is becoming more and more clear that there is no other realistic solution.

The man is incompetent and delusional, but it does not mean that the rest of the government has to be.

It is interesting to note the spattering of true American Fascist in the response comments. Anyone who dares points out the manipulative, devious, propoganda techniques of Bushco must be attacked immediatly as Liberal Trash. Who are these people? Are they paid to say these things? Do they allow internet access in hospitals for the criminally insane? I think these people would back Bush doing anything and I do mean anything as long as they can they feel he is the opposite of "damned homo lovin' godless lefties". You Bush backing cretins are completely wrong. We who dispise what Bushco has done to America are not lefties, Liberals,etc..we are Americans period. Now go volunteer for the Army please.

Many people, myself included, see a coming Clash of Civilizations with Arab/Islamic Culture. The fact is they hate our way of life and want to see it destroyed.
Posted by: bobA | Mar 30, 2007 3:30:19 PM

Sorry Bob, 'they' don't hate us. A small minority does hate us (just as a small minority of people here hate them) & there are a lot who don't like or understand us but given our foreign policy over the last 100 years can you blame them for not loving us? Bottom line is every time you start talking about 'they' I have to wonder who you are talking about. Personally I think its your own bigotry showing through.

Oh yeah, if the invasion of Iraq was just a preemptive move for dealing with Iran, hows that going to work? I mean just trying to keep Iraq from spiraling into total chaos is stretching our military personal to the breaking point. How are we going to try to hold Iraq together, fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan & invade Iran (& all our other commitments in Europe, Korea, etc)? Plus if our goal is to contain Iran why is it we just took out the 2 neighboring governments (Iraq & the Taliban) who where openly hostile to & enemies of Iran? I put it to you Bob, if the the invasion of Iraq was a prelude to Iran its been a total failure & it has actually strengthened Iran's position & weakened ours.

bobA,

"Everyone screams and sqwaks about the lack of WMD being found in Iraq as if that automatically completely invalidates our presence there." It invalidates the "REASON" for our presence there.

"The fact is that Iran is a Rising Threat" I couldn't agree more.

"and our presence in Iraq will help us contain it." Here's where I disagree with you. I like your cynicism, by the way, and am not offended by your chess analogy (though Mark Sweeney's rebuttal is equally on point).

On September 10, 11, 12 of 2001, Al Qaeda, North Korea and IRAN were the biggest threats to American security. George Bush decided, with the whole world standing by his side, that the best way to combat "terrorism" and protect America even before Afghanistan was stabilized was to attack Iraq, a nation with an actively enforced no-fly zone that covered nearly 2/3 of the country, and no connection whatsoever to the supposed casus belli for this attack: September 11 (and the aforementioned non-existent WMD's).

They sold this as an easy war, which right away should have raised more red flags. How could Iraq be both the greatest threat to America and also easy to conquer and command? As we know ALL of the Administration assumptions were horrifically off-base, to the tune of half a trillion dollars and 3200+ lives lost so far (and my personal outrage at watching looters steal the antiquities of the world's oldest civilization and ransack munitions depots for weaponry that would later kill Americans
while TV cameras rolled and American troops were too busy protecting the Oil Ministry to do anything about it).

But where it REALLY makes no sense, in a realpolitik way (and I think this is what you were driving at), is removing the counter-weight to Iran. If our ultimate goal in this whole debacle were to contain Iran, Sadam is pretty much our best friend in the endeavor. He's right next door, he's been in power for over a generation, and he's already served in part as an American proxy during the Iran-Iraq war of the 80's. We supported Sadam in that effort and it was essentially fought to a draw. If you're a "realist," chalk one up for America on that one. If you're a NeoCon, its important to remember that many of America's current enemies used to be friends (Saddam, Iran under the Shah, Osama Bin Laden...), so we had best exercise restraint in our attempts at "regime change."

If the Administration knew that Iran was the real threat but decided to attack Iraq to help militarily surround Iran, this would lead Iran to the predictable actions it has taken. If these were not foreseen, again, double shame on the Administration.

Assuming the war goes well (woops!), what would you do if you're the Iranian mullahs and over a period of two years you now have actual American troops on the ground on your two largest borders? I can tell you what I'd do: build nuclear weapons as quickly as humanly possible to make SURE the Americans do not fulfill their saber-rattling and actually plunge ahead with an invasion and "regime change." I would do my best to keep the Americans bogged down in Iraq, and create as much chaos as possible for the Americans. Send Lebanese Hezbollah on a proxy war in Israel to further ratchet up the chaos (I must admit, I didn't exactly see that one coming in 2002 but others probably did).

Unfortunately, Sadam was our best bet at containing Iran. Iraq was simply not one of the three greatest threats to American security in the aftermath of September 11. I said before the war that the $250-400 billion (that was my guess at the time of what it would cost) that was going to be spent on it would be infinitely better spent on securing our borders, rebuilding Aghanistan, and a Manhattan Project to dramatically reduce this nation's dependence on fossil fuels. That, along with a good-faith effort to broker Israeli- Palestinian peace is still the surest bet to drying up the well of violence in the Middle East.

I agree with the retired generals, its time for 'ol "Mission Accomplished" to stop using our troops, injured soldiers, and aircraft carriers, as political props.
Yet some misinformed person called these generals cowards for not speaking out earlier, that is, while in service. This charge wrongs them greatly.
A soldier is not permitted, and should not be permitted, except through proper channels, to publicly criticize another soldiers, particularly superiors. While in service these officers are required to be obedient, not defiant, to lawful orders and policies of their superiors. So it is not a matter of courage, the soldiers are showing plenty of courage, but a matter of duty (and honor) that while in service these officers **may not speak out**.
Once they are out, we are happy to have them speak out and exercise their constitutional rights. Why not, they paid for 'em.

To all of you who have a disdain for politicians on both sides of the aisle regarding this issue - vote.
If you have issues with GW - vote, write your Congressional staffers and contribute your hard earned dollars to political campaigns.
For all of you who have voiced your opinions in an unemotional manner - I applaud you. Keep to the facts and processes. Emotions and a disregard of facts only cloud the issues. The VA provides some of the highest quality of care in the US throughout the hospital systems - a little research goes a long way.
For all of you who have served or have loved ones serving - God bless each of you.
.....and for all of us who have this freedom of speech to write and be read - it was on the backs of our warriors throughout history that you have this chance to make heard your voice - just as the Generals and GW have as well. VR, Mark

Those that took us to war never experienced war and that is the problem of a volunteer army. The president refuses to acknowledge mistakes and his supporters are too weak to admit they have been wrong all along causing the deaths and injuries of tens of thousands of Americans and 100's of thousand of Iraqis and displacement of millions. We have tough decisions - where to dine and what movie time. Our service and Iraqi families are beset with decisions I could not comprehend. The billions could have protected us better and not advanced the terror expertise of the jihadists, which we have multiplied many fold, by 5 years. This insanity must end. The entire world knows it but we are somehow supreme.

Thanks for making me laugh once again you fools!!!!!

Why did the generals give the President advice with reporters on hand? Why not without the press?

:: sweetpea

"Why did the generals give the President advice with reporters on hand? Why not without the press?"

If the press wasn't there, do you think he would have even taken a meeting with them? I doubt he would have bothered with *yet another* group of retired military men who vehemently disagree with his vision about a christian middle east (troll, troll, troll). The press creates pulic accountability: I'm pretty sure thats what it was designed for.

Dear american people,
I am not an american, but I am free because in this world there is United States. There is no country in this world who sacrificed more of his mens for other peoples freedom! That's why american people is great. But let me point out some facts:
1 The war in Irak is moral because, regardless the initial motivation, is moral to get rid of a bloody dicator who killed tousand of his people
2. The victory in Irak is not only in the advantage of the United States, but is a victory for all civilized world! But only americans soldiers are strugling, other countries are laughing! How cinical!
3. When the american soldier is strugling for victory in Irak, at home, the american people is strugling for defeat! Unbeliveble! You send your soldiers at war, and now you changed your mind! You do not want victory any more! You can have the victory, but you don't want it!
4.There is no doubt that US is a technological power, but you also show that if someone keep kicking your as, finally you give up and run! How sad!
5. Such behavior invite to more atacks against US, and you will pay a havy price for that!
6. God bless America!

Well,

I've noticed a couple of people point out something that I have been thinking ever since the "General's" decided to FINALLY advise their old boss... I concur, that it's amazing that someone who has the President's ear decided, instead, to send the message via the "press".

Also, isn't it obvious that these are the very men who were IN CHARGE OF THOSE HOSPITALS TO BEGIN WITH?!?!?!? How on EARTH do they have the Huevos (sp) to even show their heads? The fault falls on them, but I guess they're absolved of all wrongdoing as soon as they puched the clock... Apparently they weren't doing there jobs to any normal person's standards. I would have fired someone faster than lightning if I were looking at a similar situation...

Let's talk about first causes. Who quite needlessly and to the great shame of this nation, put the troops in harms way in the first place? For the 30% or so of US citizens who stupidly support this administration, I can only hope that the mental illness you suffer from and share with out beloved leaders has a genetic component, and that your blood kin return in body bags.

I certainly hope one of our wounded soldiers tells Bush where to get off.

"Who are these people? Are they paid to say these things? Do they allow internet access in hospitals for the criminally insane?"

Posted by: Adam Moore | Mar 30, 2007 6:56:56 PM

These people get their 'news' from FOX.

(today's simple answer to simple questions)

Dear Sweetpea,
And your point is?

Hmmm... LIED to involve us in a war.

After over six years of his "War on Terror", has FAILED to capture Osama bin Laden.

FAILED to immediately respond to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

FAILED to IMMEDIATELY respond to the Walter Reed Hospital debacle.

Had to be appointed by the Republican stacked courts to his first term as president.

Had to resort to the propaganda of FEAR to win his second election.

Record deficits (debts your grandchildren will still be paying on), and record military expenditures (www.costofwar.com).

Thousands of US soldiers DEAD in Iraq. Tens of thousands to maybe hundreds of thousands of dead Iraqi women, children, and male civilians. "Collateral Damage" is the sanitized term used by the Pentagon.

Government, Big Business, and the Church, all in bed together....

And people STILL want to trust this person, the WORST PRESIDENT EVER!?!?

Sig-Heil!!!

Hey Bob,
If Iran was or is the threat why didn't we invade them???? Our presence in Iraq is costing 100's of billions as well as thousands of lives
and Iran doesn't seem to be "intimidated".......
Take a couple of bucks from your piggy bank and buy yourself a clue. The inmates are running the asylum

Iran WILL BE Duh-byah's Waterloo. Wait and see....

Bryan wrote: "...and my personal outrage at watching looters steal the antiquities of the world's oldest civilization and ransack munitions depots for weaponry that would later kill Americans while TV cameras rolled and American troops were too busy protecting the Oil Ministry to do anything about it..."

I'm an Aussie, I watched this followed by the disbanding of established institutions such as the police and was equally dissmayed at the con-job. At the time I didn't belive Iraq had nukes but I didn't like Saddam's bruttal dictatorship even when he was a "friend", so supported "regime change".

As far as the "world at the side of bush", that was for Afganistan even Iran cooperated with that mission by taking in 2M refugees. Iraq was a unilateral action by the "coallition of the willing".

Siting in front of the TV watching small mobs trash the country was sickening and hammered home the absolute lack of respect for an already oppressed but well educated society.

I was one of the "willing" until it was too late. In the planning for Iraq the prosecuters of this war did not see the people as the enemy. After watching it unfold over the first few days it became obvious to me they didn't see them at all!

In the years since then an Australian called David Hicks has been a political prisoner at Gitmo. I can't help but see the irony of his "guilty plea" appearing at the same time British sailors are also "pleading guilt" in Iran.

Today Hicks was sentenced to a further seven months for retrospectively breaking a law created in 2006. This act of contempt for the supreme courts decision (that saw the UK demand, and get, it's citizens back) cements my belief that both the US and Australian governments have stepped over the line into fascisim. Their constant chanting about "the rule of law" is as hollow as the "mushroom cloud" statement.

Bush and Cheney are surely the most self serving immoral leadership this country has ever had. It should have been obvious before the 2000 election. Everyone that has supported this travesty needs help in curing the total lack of discernment with which they are afflicted. Poor dumbed down America. What will turn us around?

How dare you crazy liberals question or mock our president! The only time that's EVER been appropriate is when Clinton was president!

Let's consider the gist of the right's case:

Questioning and impeaching Clinton for lying about receiving a "gift" from an intern = true patriotism.

Questioning Bush for a war spiraling out of control while thousands of American men and women die = highly unpatriotic.

Hey Bush apologists: it's not too late to join the left and actually support our brave men and women by asking tough questions, challenging the system, and most importantly, supporting your country over one man's policies.

It makes me sad for our nation that it's become cool to be stupid. Guess we can blame Mr. O'Riley and Mr. Limbaugh for that....

Does anyone else understand the absolute insanity that the political leaders of this war are all folks who've never seen combat? (Bush, Cheney, Wolfowitz, etc... Notice that Colin Powell is nowhere to be seen these days...)

The folks here who mock the concerned Generals for questioning what's going wrong clearly have lost their minds.

Last week on "Meet The Press", a Republican senator who'd never served his country actully argued that the war was going great with a retired Marine who'd sevred in two wars.

Now you tell me who's more patriotic? Never mind, Fox News has already told you how to answer.

Hate to sound like Michael Moore (even us liberals can attest that he's a nutjob), but all of you Bushies out there should really support your president fully by enlisting in his faux war. Go ahead, true patriots, do it. Or tell you kids to do iit. What's that? No interest in heading to Iraq to get in the middle of a civil war? Ha, looks like you folks just want to cut and run, eh?

You should be ashamed of yourselves. You're a sick minority of people who want to be at war, who blindly support our president, and who believe that former generals questioning the health care given to veterans is a political ploy. I pity your ignorance.

Undoubtedly, these same generals have previously served both Bush and Cheney slavishly as photo-op props, as well, eh?
What goes around, comes around...

i despise amerika for it's mai lai'ing of an innocent country, and my governments cynical (or foolish) support and complicity in all it's duplicitous and criminal behaviour, and will do until i die.
amerika, you have disgraced yourselves by being fooled by a criminal idiot, twice, with the backing of millionaires and israeli agencies, and you have zero credibility left!