What do you think of Gen David Petaraus and the war?

Answer 1

The reputation and careers of military men have been thrown to the wolves throughout history. The common denominator of these occurrences is that sheer political partisanship and ideological polemicy has led to a 'shoot the messenger' attitude.
Just a few examples:
1.) The ancient Greek Theban general, Epaminondas, gathered together an army to fight and defeat the oppressive Spartan regime. Their expedition toppled Greeks greatest military who had become increasingly oppressive towards other Greeks and enslaved an entire ethicity of people called the Messenians (the Spartans called them helots). What reward did Epaminondas receive from the Theban politicians? Condemnation inspired by envy. His act of liberating the Greeks was viewed as reckless militarism. If he had not died in battle, he would have been ostracized by his own people.

2.) The Athenian mercenary general Xenophon, who led an army of 10,000 Greeks out of Persia, was thanked by his men, but lambasted by the Athenian statesmen.

3.) General William T. Sherman, Union general, greatly contributed to the cessation of the American Civil War by ravaging the soft underbelly of the South. Despite the fact that Sherman caused and suffered fewer casualties (unlike the hardheaded Grant), Sherman was defamed by the Union press and Southern sympathizeres as out of control and committing wanton mayhem and carnage against innocent people.

4.) Both General George Patton and Curtis LeMay endorsed the unleashing of the full might of the American military during WWII. Both were later publically excoriated by their government for actions that won the war.

These are just a few examples of how politicians, especially ones with no experience in or appreciation of the true nature of war, undermine the efficiency of our military. Now, Gen. Petraeus (who is a mastermind at counter-insurgency operations with the results to prove it) is being attacked by certain elements in his own country! How this man can stomach sitting before Congress and putting up with the rhetoric and overt political sniping is beyond me.

As to the war, I feel this is not a seperate conflict in our war on Islamists. It is a different (and if you listen to al Qaeda, it is a very important) theater of the same global struggle. Militarily, we are winning......politically we are commiting national suicide.

Answer 2

I think General Petraeus is doing exactly what the Bush Administration wants him to do; keep the war going! I don't believe that he didn't meet with administration officials to discuss his report on Iraq and I don't believe the surge is working either. And I don't believe his report was free from the influence of the Bush Administration. There's a LOT of money to be made by the US staying in Iraq and Bush and company aren't about to let that opportunity slip away. Bush and Petraeus have yet to discuss any change in what little strategy they're employing over in Iraq. Bringing 30,000 troops home by the end of '08 is no strategy, it's just going back to pre-surge levels. During this time of war, Bush has asked SO much of our troops and so little from the American people. Never in a time of war has a president cut taxes (and that could possibly go back throughout the history of all civilizations, not just the history of the US) while sending their country to war. I have the utmost respect for our troops who so bravely serve our country, but they deserve better! And I can not respect a General who is merely the puppet of a corrupt and inept administration. Iraq had NOTHING to do with 9/11 and there were no terrorist in Iraq before the US occupied the country.
Support Our Troops! BRING THEM HOME!

Answer 3

A fine and excellent General with humility, integrity and courage. Our young men should strive to be as honorable.

The war is just. The terrorists must be fought. Good must always fight against evil. Quit worrying about the money and start worrying about our freedom.

Answer 4

CHRIS, A STAR FOR YOU.

I AGREE WITH CHAINSAW.

HOW LOW CAN SOME PEOPLE GO TO " BE-TRAY"
A GREAT GENERAL, THE PRESIDENT, THE TROOPS, AND THE GOOD OLD USA?.

WHEN THEY BETRAY THEM THEY BETRAY ME....

WHAT HAS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY COME TO?

WHERE IS THE COMMON DECENCY OF ANOTHER HUMAN BEING?

Answer 5

We are winning the long term war.

Democrats are traitors. They have stood against everything that the president have done.

Paetraus has done a great job.