Generals Lie, Soldiers Die... Is this the US Military today?

Question

To think that a Military Man would jeopardize the lives of his men and women for a political goal is a new low.....

Thank You General P...

Answer 1

man you bring out the best in some people, lol. some seem to think a general is supposed to blindly follow the will of the cic, bah! not a great general, or even a really good one.

no, my respect goes to generals like Smedley Butler. General Butler, two time winner of the congressional medal of honor, single handedly saved america from a right-wing military coup. shrub wouldn't like him as his grandfather was a part of the plot.

Answer 2

When we (Canada) were fighting to keep South Africa British - as opposed to Dutch

Lord Baden Powel lied to Her Majesty Queen Victoria about the success of the campaign - He was afraid if she knew the truth she would pull out and let the Dutch have it -

He told her that all was well and he needed this or that to continue the fight

The Empire won in the end and we took on Zulu's and an assortment of other natives allied to the Dutch with 16 lbs guns - Apparently the Zulu's were the only ones capable of breaking the British square - and this won them a great deal of respect -

In the end we divided mountains right down the middle and refused passage to the tribes from one side to the other who were up until then migratory and left half thier tribe behind to go hunt - We did this as a comprimise to the Dutch King at the end of the war(s) when we divided the nation

Queen Victoria thought it would be nice if the mountain were shared as a good will gesture

Does any of this sound familiar ?

If Lord Badon Powel had been caught they would have cut his head off - But he wasn't -

A proud British Canadian history of war for the Empire

We fought to keep India and Hong Kong British as well - and yes that apparently made sense at one time

Are we now fighting to keep Afganistan British and Iraq American ? I am not sure - That level of propaganda would never fly these days but it may as well be the "offical story"


My own Grandfather who went off to fight the Kaiser - said at the begining of the war he knew what and for who he was fighting -

He said at the end he had no idea what the whole thing was about or why he fought with other poor farmers for a patch of land and a hill -

He then revised his statement - "War is no good"

Answer 3

You are a mindless, fumbling, gullible excuse for an American. Was 9/11 a lie to you? I cannot believe how quickly people forget what happened to this country. You should be completely ashamed of yourself for asking this offensive question. Based on your logic, you should be the one going to Iraq and Afghanistan right now since you are incompetent, most likely in terrible physical shape, and unwilling to die for your country. Learn some god dam*** respect for those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. Edit to add: Brad, just curious to hear what all you have accomplished in your life thus far? I'm sure everyone would love to hear this...

Answer 4

Message from the UK think that generals are political animals and have you ever known a politician that tells the whole truth?
Your military are commited today as yesteryear so support them.
I am proud of the British forces men & women who have always had to fight with one eye on the leaders who never supply them with enough quality equipment down through the centuries they are the cream of the best

Answer 5

Unless we are willing to concede that this country is ruled by a military dictatorship, blame has to got to rest with civilian 'leadership', deplorably few of whom are statesmen and protectors of liberty. That this administration gives not a whit about its soldiers, is only to say that this one is no better than any that came before it, even back to the Civil and Revolutionary Wars. This country does not take care of our veterans. Their care is second-rate, at best. Their salaries are draconian, and their respect, apart from some flag-waving and yellow ribbons and other empty gestures, for the sacrifice they continue to offer, is nothing short of embarassing. To sacrifice one's life for one's country is a hell of a thing. It's admirable, and anyone who offers themselves thus should not be put in harm's way, unless the situation is dire. When our White House states that Saddam is a threat, and that he has WMD, has has definite plans to use them on us, is it too much to ask that we, the people they are elected to represent, see the proof? And if we see that the proof is groundless, is it not our duty to not allow our troops to be sent? And if they are sent, is it not our duty to not subject our troops to hostile fire as they defend themselves from those resisting their illegitimate invasion? Is that how we support our troops, by making targets of them? Is that what is meant by fighting them there?
Whether the 'surge' is working depends on what you mean by 'working.'
If what you want to do is 'secure' Iraq to make it safe for US oil concerns and capital control, and you have no diplomatic credibility, then you use "the army you have (Rumsfeld), and make up for what you lack in moral support with military force. The Generals will succeed in creating an American military dictatorship, using a plyable local as a figure-head, making sure that he knows to ask the US to stay, and can be quoted to tell the American people how much they love democracy and freedom and the US for the newspapers.
Asking for a military progress report begs the question. Further, it is not military progress that is needed. The people of Iraq have had their country destroyed, thanks to the US and the UK. They have had their military disbanded, and the artificial 'boundaries' that the fading British empire drew around the oil fields, carving Iraq out of the world war two-weakened Persian empire, and made it all legal by creating British investor-friendly, repressive regimes to sign the deeds and concession deals, to take loans to buy British arms, and to invite in British military advisers to train quislings in how to keep the people passive in the midst of the injustice and theft being then instituted.
As Britain has faded, the US has assumed its place, and not much else has changed. We, as they, cloak our actions in the highest praise of rights and liberty and justice. We, as they, still covet the riches of other nations and peoples, and we as they are not hesitant about using force to get what we want. We have become experts in the twisting of language, and in all the arts of pursuasion. We ignore what we do not want to hear, and we do not want to hear that our people are doing bad things to other people. We do not want to think that we cold ever be as bad as someone else, or that our leaders would mis-lead us for their own gain, or to advance the interests of the United States, which the powerful see as one and the same.
To ask for a military assessment to a political problem is to be asking the wrong questions, so what does it matter what the answers are?

Answer 6

Its VN all over again, Politicians trying to fight the war startagy , why are you more willing to believe some Politician in DC that has a political agenda then an actual military general??

Answer 7

This is kind of funny, but real sad. General Petreaus has no political gain in this report, he has nothing to gain by lying. He is also a highly decorated officer of the military, the people he is reporting to should be wiping the mud off his boots.

This is funny, because you are too stupid to realize who is lying to you.

It is sad that you are unable to ascertain (that means to figure out) that the truth is available. Stop listening to the true power hungry politicians, and look it up. Or, better yet, enlist and go see for yourself.

Answer 8

Sad. He chooses duty above honor, I think. It has been done before by Generals-remember Westmoreland? He's obeying the commander in chief, being a good employee. He had the same glazed look today of a loyal employee that has no idea how to get everything done that has been asked. But is determined to be the good son.

Answer 9

Patreus is a good man with a near thankless job. It is the military's responsibility to carry out the orders of the President without question, and, when the day arrives the military balks on this, brother, we are ALL in trouble!

Answer 10

You have no basis for calling General Petreus a liar. You are simply mad because he used actual statistics and data to show the progress in Iraq and all you have is rhetoric. People like you do not deserve the protection that you get from the brave men and women in the US armed forces.