Do Retired Generals have enough Intel to opine on the conditions and outcome of the war in Iraq?

Question

Its safe to say that most retired Generals do not get breifed on a minute by minute basis as to the conditions or sucsesses being made in Iraq?Are they doing America Harm by giving unIntelegent statements?Its like the blind leading those who see.

Answer 1

I agree. While they do know tactics and strategies in general, and may be quite talented, if they don't know the realities of each individual situation, they can't really offer an educated perspective. They are just armchair quarterbacking (or back-seat driving for those of you who prefer no sports metaphors...)

Answer 2

Most retired generals are fairly well connected with the Pentagon and probably can get the info they want from active duty personnel who previously served under them.

In addition, I belive it was General Batiste who served in Iraq and resigned in protest (giving up his 3rd star) over the way things were being handled by the Bush Administration. To me, Batiste's word carries a lot of weight...he's "been there, done that" already.

Answer 3

Lets review who've lost there job because of the "Intel" provided to those who aren't retired: Colan Powell, head of the CIA, FBI, and these are just a few who "had Intel of Saddam's missile silos" that I never saw when I was in Iraq.

It's safe to say that outside opinions are right now, but Bush can't pull out, or else he's just wasted the last 8 years of his life, alone, at least with troops in til the end of his term he can delude himself and say something was accomplished.

Answer 4

Any person with more than one working brain cell can opine on the conditions and outcome. It's a failure, will continue to be a failure and eventually we will leave and the area will completely explode. Now don't pull an Alberto Gonzales and say you didn't recall being told.

Answer 5

Retired generals probably have more knowledge of what's going on in Iraq than the non-military people bush has been using.
Even the military advisors that Mr. Bush appointed have resigned, due to mr. bush's lame, ill-informed decisions. Keep in mind that Mr. Bush NEVER served a moment in combat.
I'd sooner trust a retired military general, than mr. bush and the cronies he's picked.

Answer 6

I would venture to say that
THEY KNOW MORE THAN WE DO

if mean gees why take the word of someone that's actually been there in warfare
OVER
George w Bush and the people that are afraid to speak up for fear of their own retirement
everyone that has spoken out against his policies are drummed out of the service
or
their wife is "outted" just ask Scooter

Answer 7

No they don't. Their armchair quarterbacking is just an attempt to either damage the Bush Administrations credibility or to keep themselves in the Limelight.

There is absolutely no reason a retired general should go to the media with how he feels about the current administrations policies. It is inappropriate and helps to embolded the enemy.

Answer 8

Who knows what the extent these people know is. I'm sure they don't even know what % of the information they possess is correct. Still, they are experienced so they're thoughts have to be worth at least $0.05 compared to the $0.02 that get thrown around.

Answer 9

Generals are selected by the President. When they reach that level, they are essentially politicians, and their comments should be regarded as such. I think a lot of their comments also reflect competition with their active duty counterparts ("I could do it better").

Answer 10

I'm sure they know more about the war than most of us do, but it doesn't stop any of us from spouting off about it.