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| What else they said |
Itsdb |
04/19/06 |
Some of what you may have missed in the 'general revolt'
Batiste on CNN:
Number one is we've got the best military in the world, hands down, period. All Americans should be very proud of their service men and women. They're doing incredible work all over the world.
Number two is whether we agree or not with the war in Iraq, we are where we are and we must succeed in this endeavor. Failure is frankly not an option. Success to me is setting the Iraqi people up for self reliance with their form of representative government that takes into account tribal, ethnic and religious differences that have always defined Iraqi society. Iraqis, frankly, in my experience, do not understand democracy. Nor do they understand their responsibilities for a free society.
Number three. When my family and I returned from Germany after three years with the Big Red One, we were struck by the fact that there's a lack of sacrifice and commitment on the part of the American people. The exception of those families with soldiers committed into this fight.
And certainly, too many of these families truly understand the meaning of sacrifice. Most Americans only confront this issue by deciding what color of magnet on the back end of their SUV. I think that our executive and legislative branches of government have a responsibility to mobilize this country for war...
(video clip)
GEN. PETER PACE, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: We had then and have now every opportunity to speak our minds. And if we do not, shame on us because the opportunity is there.
M. O'BRIEN: Have you spoken your mind internally on this?
BATISTE: I think the world of General Pace. I respect him enormously, and I respect his words.
M. O'BRIEN: But has that discussion gone on internally?
BATISTE: Sure. Absolutely.
M. O'BRIEN: Major General John Batiste, thank you for your time.
I guess they ran out of time after Batiste admitted the discussions the military supposedly didn't have the opportunity to have with their civilian bosses - had in fact happened.
Newbold in Time:
Army General John Abizaid, head of Central Command, has been forceful in his views with appointed officials on strategy and micromanagement of the fight in Iraq--often with success. Marine Commandant General Mike Hagee steadfastly challenged plans to underfund, understaff and underequip his service as the Corps has struggled to sustain its fighting capability.
To be sure, the Bush Administration and senior military officials are not alone in their culpability. Members of Congress--from both parties--defaulted in fulfilling their constitutional responsibility for oversight. Many in the media saw the warning signs and heard cautionary tales before the invasion from wise observers like former Central Command chiefs Joe Hoar and Tony Zinni but gave insufficient weight to their views.
Remember how none of the generals cited military restructuring as a reason Rumsfeld should resign?
Army Maj. Gen. John Riggs, who once headed an Army task force to transform the service's structure and weapons systems, said Rumsfeld should step down, citing an "atmosphere of arrogance."
No I'm sure the restructuring had nothing to do with it.
I bet there were no sour grapes with Riggs, who had nothing to with the Iraq war:
Unlike the other high-ranking military critics to speak out recently, Riggs was not involved in the Iraq war. He left the military two years ago after a controversial Army decision to reduce his rank and force his retirement after an investigation found he created an "adverse command climate."
Zinni to CBS:
“We were much in line with Gen. Shinseki's view,” says Zinni. “We were talking about, you know, 300,000, in that neighborhood.”
Does anyone recall that in February 2003 Shinseki "made clear that he was providing only his personal assessment of postwar needs, and that the final decision would be made by the commander of American forces in the region, Gen. Tommy R. Franks." Should the 'troop strength' critics aim at Franks instead?
Swannack on CNN:
"Well specifically, Barbara, I agree with our national security objectives and the decision to remove Saddam Hussein, which was to create a stable Iraq and that subsequently will contribute to the stability of the Middle East.
"The only other thing that I would like to add: I respect Secretary Rumsfeld. He served our nation well..."
Even though he should go...
Why did I have to search to learn what else was said? Is the call for Rummy's head the only newsworthy portion? |
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