Commander in Iraq Counters Call for Pullout (responds to Murtha)

[sabra]

http://www.leadingthecharge.com/stories/news-00101754.html


Commander in Iraq Counters Call for Pullout

WASHINGTON - A field commander of U.S. forces in Iraq , countering calls by a usually pro-military congressman for withdrawal of Americans fighting there, said Friday it can‘t happen until the wartorn country has been secured.

"Here on the ground, our job is not done," Col. James Brown, commander of the 56th Brigade Combat Team, told reporters at the Pentagon , a d, , ) urged the pullout.

[Kagemusha]

1. A commissioned colonel is taking on an elected Congressman..

IS ANYONE NOTICING HOW FREAKING WEIRD THIS IS IN A DEMOCRACY???

Sorry to yell but, just wondering. I mean, when, in American history, has this been happening? I mean, trotting out a colonel who is legally barred from criticizing the President, to criticize a Congressman on a political issue regarding the choice to continue to wage war here, not criticizing field command issues themselves.... what the hell is this?

[Orrex]

Conservatives will say that another Brownie is doing a heckuva job

And they'll praise his heroic patriotism in standing up to an out-of-the-mainstream liberal Congressman.

[Benhurst]

4. Yes. He ought to do his job and leave the politics to others.

But from the way the Iraq Invasion is going, I guess he's already given up on doing his job and is concentrating on butt-kissing the Bush Crime Family for a promotion.

[American Cabalist]

11. Let him do his job, then - which is war. n/t

[Benhurst]

15. In a republic, setting policy is the job of the duly-elected civilian

government.

The implementation of their policies is delegated to the military in time of war.

If the good colonel wants to set policy, he should resign his commission and run for Congress. He obviously needs a refresher course in basic civics, as do many of his fellow citizens.

[American Cabalist]

10. Where's the so-called "criticism"?

...trotting out a colonel who is legally barred from criticizing the President, to criticize a Congressman on a political issue...

Where do you see the criticism of Murtha, anyway? Only one sentence was quoted in this article. The COL merely said, "Here on the ground, our job is not done." It's not, that's a fact. Short, sweet, to the point. Factual, and not the least subjective. He's hardly "criticizing a Congressman", fer pete's sake.

Quit acting like the COL got up and ranted against Murtha. And if you'll notice, the commander was at the Pentagon responding to reporters, who no doubt questioned him about it. Q&A sessions are held regularly at the Pentagon - it's not like this guy "trotted out" out of the blue. Sheesh.

[wtmusic]

2. It says Murtha is "usually pro-military"

WTF? How stupid can these people be? By calling for a pullout, he's "anti-military"?

:WTF:

[Orrex]

3. Nice catch!

As you wrote, it implies that Murtha is now "anti-military," and in addition it implies a flipfloppiness about his stance.

[wtmusic]

5. Just realized: this is the same AP writer who wrote

that Murtha "voted for the war" yesterday:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5387725&mesg_id=5387725

Think there's an agenda at work here? :eyes:

[cassiepriam]

6. A lowly bird colonel dissing a member of the house appro cmtee?

Only two reasons that could happen: Bird Col gets an order from
a general who got an order from higher up. Or military is now totally out of control.

[cassiepriam]

7. Military commanders suffering from cognitive dissonance.

They cannot face the fact they are losing the war and that
their troops have died in vain. So they are desperately holding onto the bush party line.

[PATRICK]

8. So who defines secure?

Like Afghanistan? This an easily countered statement while at the same time questioning the method and the puzzling insufficiency of the method date in NOT giving them the supports. If some insist the Vietnam War was lost from lack of support that is idiotic if they mean lack of cheerleaders and having no dissent at home. It means lack of material, men, tactics, really productive outcomes(not body counts), leadership and the interfering bungling of the leading civilian leadership whose eye is fixed on the money, not the mission the commander honestly is pursuing.

But they are panicking in taking Murtha so seriously. This is evidence of genuine fear, Murtha's genuine popular support, his integrity as a veteran in another evil war, and that panic itself the insurgents can smell and that is what gives them the grimmest hope.

[PATRICK]

9. Also a safe surrogate

What, no GOP women to come forward this time?

[wildwww2]

12. Murtha see`s our troops being used as cannon fodder.

And does not want to see it happening anymore. Col. Brown see`s through Bu$h colored glasses. Or just does not seem to care(like Bu$h). So sad. So stupid.
Peace
Wildman
Al Gore is My President

[Norquist Nemesis]

13. HOLD ON! How can an active duty officer make statements

that go against his CIC???

[VegasWolf]

14. Commander, "There's still plenty of oil in Iraq that needs liberating!" nt

:sarcasm:

[twaddler01]

16. I have just one question

Is the country ever going to be secure?

[Megahurtz]

17. Secured?

What a stupid generic statement. They will never be able to "secure" Iraq!
What he means is "it can't happen until the oil fields are secured".
They just want to dominate the place. When are they going to stop lying to the public?

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. Colonel please do review the UCMJ

you don't have a right to your opinion, you are in uniform

[Trillo]

19. Hey Col. Brown,

Perhaps you should consider the multiple 'takings' of Falluja while thinking about the phrase, 'rinse, wash, repeat.'

Perhaps you should ruminate on the 'Mission Accomplished' banner behind your CIC on the aircraft carrier off San Diego, several years ago....

[adigal]

20. I have one question: are we ever going to leave Iraq??

And when will all those mothers calling Sean Hannity and bitching about the democrats being disloyal to their sons in the military see that Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld don't give a damn about their son, and have always only cared about the fortunes to be made in Iraq.