David Corn: Bait-and-Switch in Iraq

[grytpype]

http://www.davidcorn.com/archives/2007/04/baitandswitch_i.php

The other day I bumped into a retired general I know. He's a friend of General David Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq. I asked about a recent McClatchy Newspaper story by Nancy Youssef that reported that the training of Iraqi troops is no longer a priority for US forces in Iraq.

The April 19 piece began:

Military planners have abandoned the idea that standing up Iraqi troops will enable American soldiers to start coming home soon and now believe that U.S. troops will have to defeat the insurgents and secure control of troubled provinces.

...

This retired general told me the McClatchy story was accurate. He called it another indication that the military mission has been lost and that the United States was stuck in the midst of a situation akin to a civil war. What ought to be done? I ask. He lowered his voice: we have to start bringing the troops home. Have you said that publicly? I inquired. Not yet, he replied. He's not ready to do so. It's hard to totally break with the war, he explained, noting he felt some loyalty to Petraeus. He recalled that recently he had been asked by members of Congress if the United States should begin withdrawing troops and he punted. But, he said, he's getting closer to telling the world how he really feels. "I don't know how long I can go without saying it," he remarked.

Republicans these days accuse Democrats of supporting surrender. But reality can intrude upon politics and even friendships. Just ask this former general. My hunch is that he won't stay silent for long. Meanwhile, Bush has yet to answer for a fundamental shift in Iraq policy--and for having misled the public about the goal of his escalation.

[rodeodance]

1. when iraq troops stand up-we stand down" is an empty Bush

hollow mantra now

and I am surprized at how little press it is getting!

[TwilightGardener]

2. I still can't believe this--our troops are dying to protect people

who, after 4 years, refuse to start protecting and policing themselves. I don't mean to blame Iraqis, but when we are at the point of becoming their permanent nannies, it's fucking time to get out of the way, and if they slaughter each other, then so be it.

[frogcycle]

3. it offends me no end

to hear of stories like this. What the hell is holding him back? It is false loyalty to continue to subscribe to the "sir-yes-sir" mentality when the CinC is as delusional as this one and people continue to die because of it.

The loyalty should be to the Constitution. Just as illegal orders are not to be obeyed, unwise strategies SHOULD be questioned - publicly. Someone with the supposed "inside knowledge" of this general, or Tenet, or Durbin, is, in my judgment, shirking responsibility by not speaking up.

Petraeus is following orders, and in all liklihood convincing himself "it can work" because he could not function if he did not join in the CinC's state of denial. When he accepted the job he subconsciously turned off critical thinking. Those like this general who can see what is happening owe it to him as a friend - out of loyalty - to blow the whistle. Save him from himself!

[Grandrose]

4. How sick is this!!

Loyalty to Petraeus? What about the lives of the troops and Iraqi people? I thought the military swore oath to the Constitution of the United States, not each other!!!These generals only speak out after retiring(whimps)!!:rant: :puke: :argh: