Is the U.S. Military Turning Their Backs on Bush?

Question

A senior general, trusted by the Bush administration to take over the entire war effort, just publicly rebuked Bush and his entire war non-policy:

"The very fundamental issue is, they don't know where the hell they're going," said retired Marine Gen. John J. "Jack" Sheehan, a former top NATO commander who was among those rejecting the job.

Sheehan said he believes that Vice President Cheney and his hawkish allies remain more powerful within the administration than pragmatists looking for a way out of Iraq. "So rather than go over there, develop an ulcer and eventually leave, I said, 'No, thanks,' " he said.

Bush wants to abdicate role as commander in chief to an unelected political appointee, and the top generals are lining up to say 'NO!'

Read how the top U.S. Generals are distancing themselves from Bush: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/10/AR2007041001776.html

It seems the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces wants to be the 'delegator' rather than the 'decider.' Too bizarre, this Bush fellow . . .

Answer 1

Chris, you're wrong. It is not a United States Soldier's job to protect our country and follow the Commander and Chief ---> the president.
It is a soldier's job to protect and defend our country and Constitution. If a Commander in Chief is the greatest threat to country and constitution, soldiers have a duty to stand down. To resist. To disobey.
In Tienanmen Square, was the soldier driving the tank 'wrong' for not running over the protesters?
Was the Soviet military 'wrong' for allowing the fall of the Communist govt.?
Were the results of the Nuremberg Trials wrong? Soldiers can't commit atrocities and say, "I was just following orders". If the casualties in Iraq are without value to U.S. security, then soldiers and generals do need to speak up.

Answer 2

It's true, I've seen many soldiers backing away from Bush and his policies, the President of the Iraq-Afghanistan Veterans Association is another vocal critic of the Bush Administration and their handling of the war and veterans treatment. You should not go to war when you aren't ready...we simply weren't ready...UNLESS we are in imminent danger from that particular country and we were not. As evidenced by how many lies, and straining to make connections was used in our pretext for war. Another thing I can't stand is how Bush uses our military as a prop and backdrop CONSTANTLY, you always see them standing behind him, next to him, shaking hands with them. Yet, he cuts VA funding and sends out an unprepared and strained military out to fight. You know the PNAC and AIPAC and all those other "think-tanks" that sold Bush on the idea to go to war, presented the same plans to Clinton and he said, "No way, that's not a good idea." I'm am just frustrated that we have destabalized the middle east even further and still people are blinded to what we have done.

Answer 3

He's not in the position to make decisions any longer he is retired. He is stating opinions. No matter what . . . a United States Soldier's job is to protect our country and follow the Commander and Chief ---> the president.

Our military will stand behind our president no matter who it is because it is their job..

Answer 4

I know many U.S. soldiers, stationed in Italy. We have been family friends with many of the Commanders of the Airborne Battalion (paratroopers) over the years,

These Paratroopers have been rotated in and out of Iraq and Afghanistan on an average of 2-3 times and there is no end in sight.

With that said, I have personally listened to their "discreet" lamentations and concerns. Their biggest frustration is.....and I will quote;

"We do not know what Our mission is".


Sadly.

Answer 5

Ever notice how you only hear about it when somebody criticizes the president? If 19 troops say they support the President and 1 says he does not - guess who you hear about?

BTW - you comment about "abdicating his role as commander in chief" demonstrates that you are speaking from a position of ignorance.

Answer 6

The US has no history of military coups.
That is about to change. Top army generals are within one millimeter of throwing Bush and Cheney from the top of the castle.

Answer 7

There you go believing that BS lieberal media propaganda again.

Answer 8

See the word RETIRED...means no longer serving...

Answer 9

I'm not