RETIRED GENERALS OPENLY CRITICIZE THE PRESIDENT

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Generals opposing Iraq war break with military tradition


By Mark Sauer
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

September 23, 2007

The generals acted independently, coming in their own ways to the agonizing decision to defy military tradition and publicly criticize the Bush administration over its conduct of the war in Iraq.
What might be called The Revolt of the Generals has rarely happened in the nation's history.

In op-ed pieces, interviews and TV ads, more than 20 retired U.S. generals have broken ranks with the culture of salute and keep it in the family. Instead, they are criticizing the commander in chief and other top civilian leaders who led the nation into what the generals believe is a misbegotten and tragic war.

The active-duty generals followed procedure, sending reports up the chain of command. The retired generals beseeched old friends in powerful positions to use their influence to bring about a change.

When their warnings were ignored, some came to believe it was their patriotic duty to speak out, even if it meant terminating their careers.

It was a decision none of the men approached cavalierly. Most were political conservatives who had voted for George W. Bush and initially favored his appointment of Donald Rumsfeld as defense secretary.

But they felt betrayed by Bush and his advisers.

“The ethos is: Give your advice to those in a position to make changes, not the media,â€

Too little to late they all need to shut up. Where were they 6 years ago? During the drumbeat you could hear a pin drop and everybody in the military and the media silently sat by and allowed this mess to happen.

I was a Combat Engineer (Heavy Demolition Specialist) Platoon Sergeant and I have to tell you... I retired from the Military EXAUSTED, divorced after 21.5 years of active duty service. You people better start worrying more about your soldiers and the enormous amount of problems that are going to follow them home

There are mental and Psycological costs that come with keeping these soldiers continuously forward deployed and from seeing the things these young people see. You have no idea what it's like, sleeping in a tent with 30 other soldiers and people waking up in the middle of the night hearing someone screaming in the dark from a bad dream

There are fiscal costs that are ballooned to absolutly crazy numbers

We have equipent that is falling apart.... if you dont believe me, you better ask other soldiers and get a consensious

But getting back to my main point..... if these Generals speak thier mind while on active duty, they can be relieved of duty (Carrear is basically over).... if you want a straight answer... talk to an enlisted soldier

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