Interesting Freeper Comments About Republican Management Of The Military

[cali]

Found this on a freeperville thread about the dem veterans running for congress this year.

Carrier Aviator, you have spoken some of the truth here.

But there is more to it, and it ain't necessarily good for the Republicans.

I'm going to assume you're currently an aviator, still in the service. If that's so, then you know precisely what I am talking about.

Yes, the forces do support the President. Yes, everyone wants to win the war. Yes, just about everyone realizes that the Democrats are not out for the good of the country and not going to win the war. But no, the military is not ecstatic with the way the civilian leadership has handled this war, particularly with Rumsfeld's disregard of professional uniformed officers' advice all along.

I'm not going to go through the litany, but you know what it is just as well as I do, and it IS a problem.

Right now, the portrayal is a pro-Bush rah-rah military and seditious, anti-American Democrats. And certainly that's the tone of our fellow posters here.

But you know that the truth is that it's a pro-America military, that has plenty, and growing, and serious, reservations about the military COMPETENCY of the Bush team. A lot of guys have gotten killed stupidly, because of poorly-thought out strategy. That's one thing, and that happens. But worse is the extent to which the leadership, particularly Secretary Rumsfeld, has dug in and arrogantly disregarded suggested course changes that have come up the chain quietly through the normal methods. You know that everyone's learnt not to make those suggestions up the chain anymore, because they won't do anything but bring trouble. Change of course is out of the question, because the leadership is dug in and deaf.

You know that as well as I do.
Bush and the Republicans are still supported by the forces, in general, but it's a pro-America military that's choosing between a seditious, anti-American Democratic party and and arrogant and militarily inept Republican party.

Tommy sees and Tommy knows. And it IS a problem (and you know it) no matter how much whistling past the graveyard goes on.

Not going to make any recommendations (they won't be listened to anyway). What I will say is that the track of vilifying and excoriating every Iraq War vet who puts up his hand and starts talking the truth about the INEPTITUDE of the senior command ain't going to work. It's a problem. The Bush Administration should have been fixing the source of the problem a long time ago, but they're primarily political players, not military experts. And it shows.

Roger, ball?

[BOSSHOG]

1. I'm a Veteran

and I will never vote for a republican for any office. I did 24 years and spent one tour in a combat zone and have no desire to tout any military accomplishments, however, any "conservative" who wants to support Iraq or bush will have my Vet card presented to them in a heartbeat. There is nothing seditious or anti-american about democrats, quite the contrary. I take literally my oath to support and defend the constitution against enemies foreign and DOMESTIC. bush and his supporters are the number one enemy of the constitution - period.

Our military is going straight to hell because the lying alcoholic military deserter is totally incompetent. There can be no counter point to this statement. And his base continues to wave their flags.

[cali]

2. Forget the stupid

dems are seditious meme. What did you think of this guy's assessment of the military under the bush regime?

[TygrBright]

3. Oh, hell, it isn't even a SECRET, for petesqueaks...

...that just about everyone in the uniformed services EXCEPT *'s carefully-chosen cronybot brass think Rummy & Co. are the worst things to happen to the services since Vietnam.

They're the ones taking casualties for this misadministration's incompetent, reckless, incredibly stupid, BLIND military policies.

Their respect for military discipline has thus far staved off mutiny, and will probably continue to do so, since they are professionals with a strong esprit de corps. But you can bet that every time blivet's name comes up during an off-duty bull session, someone spits.

And the SHAMEFUL way our vets are being treated is not going unnoticed. Democrats have always been the vets' friends. If we can transplant a spine into a few of our respected elected representatives and get them standing up to the GOPpie meatgrinder that's chewing up their benefits, etc., we will end up with a pretty solid block of vets' support.

positively,
Bright

[BOSSHOG]

4. You can only stretch a rubber band so far

The heat and the sand are destroying our equipment on the ground over there. Our kids in uniform are getting warn out in Iraq. We are not succeeding and we have been over there almost as long as we were involved in WW2. PNAC cares not for personnel or equipment only policy and politics. Any Leader will take care of his people and ensure equipment is properly maintained and rotated. bush cares not of such matters; his actions for the past three years proves that. Army recruiting continues to suffer because few want to join that service and have him be their commander in chief. Junior Officers are leaving the Army for fear of another rotation in Iraq; resulting in fast promotion for officers who should not be promoted. The Navy is letting poorly performing or out of shape Sailors and Officers switch to the Army without losing paygrade. The National Guard is about one hurricane away from total crisis. These are not the rantings of an insane liberal, they are facts. Facts which bush's base does not want to contend with.

[tulsakatz]

5. at least it shows they are aware...

...of the problems that are created when a civilian leadership tries to run the military.

I've heard Wes Clark state similar concerns.