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2006-04-16 Home Front: WoT

Gen. Myers, Franks Support Rumsfeld re: Iraq

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Posted by lotp 2006-04-16 00:00|| || Front Page|| [4 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Gen Myers said: "My whole perception is that it's bad for the military, it's bad for civil-military relations and potentially it's very bad for the country because what we are hearing and what we are seeing is not the role the military plays in our society."

Just for the record, this is a modern development. General Winfield Scott, senior general of the Army, ran while in uniform as the Presidential nominee for the Whig Party in 1852, after his military successes in the Mexican American War. While Scott was unsuccessful, unlike his fellow commander General Zachary Taylor who did become president in 1848, he remained in service till after the start of the Civil War in 1861.

General George B. McClellan, twice relieved of the command of the Army of the Potomac, ran against Abraham Lincoln in 1864 citing the effectiveness of the president's handling of the war.

Posted by Uninenter Thirong7060 2006-04-16 09:16|| 2006-04-16 09:16|| Front Page Top

#2 And George Washington was always very respectful of the supremacy of the people's representatives in Congress, who even then and even to him and anybody else withan awareness of the military situation were idiots. See Newburgh

Which was the more important General to the country and set the better example?

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-04-16 09:26|| 2006-04-16 09:26|| Front Page Top

#3 Gen Myers and Gen Franks were predictable cheer-leaders

Hold it right the f*ck there. I worked for Dick Myers, and his integrity is WITHOUT question. If he thought for an instant that the Administration was needlessly risking American lives, he'd have stood up and said so - publicly -
and resigned, none of this 'wait-till-I'm-out-and-writing-my-book" BS.

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2006-04-16 09:31|| 2006-04-16 09:31|| Front Page Top

#4 And on a second note, this is a very serious and dangerous game that some folks are playing. The Pew poll a few weeks back showed the Presidents approval rating at 28%. Congresss at 10%. The militarys at 47%.

I think the historical record is clear what happens when the basis of legitimacy for a government is undermined. To paraphrase Jefferson, the powers of government are derived from the consent of the governed. With the absolute terrible display of ineffective government, perceived or real, the people will accept alternatives which offer solutions, perceived or real. The media and opposition criticisms and obstructionists have not only hurt the objective of their scorn, but have brought disrepute upon the entire organ of government. The Senates recent role in the immigration issue is a basic display of complete disconnect with the people. At what point do people across the political spectrum start talking about the separation between those who govern and the people? Can we trust any of them? If theyre all corrupt, how does the existing processing cleanse itself? At what point does the unthinkable start to become thinkable? If it doesnt work what are we willing to consider as an alternative?

History may not exactly repeat itself, but human nature is pretty consistent. Others have gone down this road before and it isnt a surprise what can happen next. Which is why those like General Myers are reminding his fellow officers of the modern role of the military in our society.

Posted by Uninenter Thirong7060 2006-04-16 09:40|| 2006-04-16 09:40|| Front Page Top

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