Check this out , A Sergeant Speaks The Hard Truth

[dave502d]

09-30-2004

A Sergeant Speaks The Hard Truth



Why We Cannot Win

by Sgt. Al Lorentz

Before I begin, let me state that I am a soldier currently deployed in Iraq, I am not an armchair quarterback. Nor am I some politically idealistic and naïve young soldier, I am an old and seasoned Non-Commissioned Officer with nearly 20 years under my belt. Additionally, I am not just a soldier with a muds-eye view of the war, I am in Civil Affairs and as such, it is my job to be aware of all the events occurring in this country and specifically in my region.

I have come to the conclusion that we cannot win here for a number of reasons. Ideology and idealism will never trump history and reality.

When we were preparing to deploy, I told my young soldiers to beware of the "political solution." Just when you think you have the situation on the ground in hand, someone will come along with a political directive that throws you off the tracks.

I believe that we could have won this un-Constitutional invasion of Iraq and possibly pulled off the even more un-Constitutional occupation and subjugation of this sovereign nation. It might have even been possible to foist democracy on these people who seem to have no desire, understanding or respect for such an institution. True the possibility of pulling all this off was a long shot and would have required several hundred billion dollars and even more casualties than we’ve seen to date but again it would have been possible, not realistic or necessary but possible.

Here are the specific reasons why we cannot win in Iraq.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

[southernleftylady]

1. any links ? tia :) nt

[dave502d]

3. link

http://www.hackworth.com/

[immoderate]

17. Some links

Here is the original letter:

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig5/lorentz1.html#
mailto:[e-mail]

Here is a salon article about Sgt. Lorentz' problem:
http://fairuse.1accesshost.com/news2/salon37.htm

--IMM

[charlie]

2. His ass is in a sling right now

as a result of that article:

http://fairuse.1accesshost.com/news2/salon37.htm

[Vickers]

6. One more reason to vote for Kerry

Have you ever seen a better candidate for a pardon?

[TahitiNut]

28. "pardon" or resurrection?

It's less likely this Sergeant will be successfully prosecuted than it is he'll find his ass exposed in a firefight and attract a flurry of lead and shrapnel.

The military has a "time-honored" way of eliminating boat-rockers in a war zone.

[MatrixEscape]

4. To me that means ...

Pretty much, we now have an assessment that indicates we have another Viet Nam on our hands. I can't come to any other conclusion, having lived through the last one.

[bobthedrummer]

5. There's a persistant rumor that the 82nd Airborne is voting en masse

for Kerry, this professional's opinion is shared by many of the boots on the ground in Iraq and serving elsewhere.

[charlie]

11. CNN ran an "here's an odd twist"

human interest report a couple of days ago. The angle -- they found a surprising number of soldiers in Iraq who were voting for Kerry :crazy:

[Leilani]

7. One of the truth-tellers!

I salute his patriotism & honesty & bravery!

[dave502d]

9. Just think how many other fill the same way.

[jimshoes]

8. Sgt. Lorentz

should be in front of Congress reading them that letter. He may well save some American lives if his message can get out.

[BeHereNow]

13. WE should send that letter en masse

TO every one of those USELESS deceitful congress members.
BLANKET their mailboxes with this letter. The Senate too.
They seem, in their comfortable corporately funded lives,
to have forgotten that they work for WE, the PEOPLE.
BHN

[jimshoes]

18. Not only that, but

also keep Sgt. Lorentz from being prosecuted by the military for speaking out. It serves no purpose to lock up a soldier for telling the truth, even if certain people do not want that truth to be known. A perfect example would be Daniel Ellsberg.

[Columbia]

10. A 20 year Sgt???

[Vickers]

12. A 19-year Staff Sergeant (E-6)

Not that unusual.

[Columbia]

14. Where did you see Staff Sgt?

[Longhorn]

20. He's referred to as a staff sergeant in the Salon article:

In one sign that the administration and the military are working harder to keep a lid on negative stories, Salon reports that an Army Reserve staff sargent from Texas, with 20 years experience who is now serving in Iraq, may face up to 20 years in prison for "disloyalty and insubordination."The reason? He wrote an article criticizing the occupation of Iraq on an anti-war website, LewRockwell.com. The article contained no classified information. In his commentary, Sgt. Al Lorentz offered a "bleak assessment" of the situation.

[highnooner]

15. He had better not run for Prez in 35 years

or he'll have the BVFT (Bradley Vets for Truth) after him.

[Aviation Pro]

19. My first thought....

An NCO in a CA unit with almost 20 years would normally be at least an E-6 (SSG) and more than likely an E-7 (SFC). Since one of the sources of this letter is Hackworth's web site, I would take the identity of the letter writer with a grain of salt.

The content may be right, but fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...(you know the rest even if the President does not).

[Qanisqineq]

25. I believe he meant 20 YEARS IN THE ARMY

[Torrey Pines]

16. Here's an article you might find interesting

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0921/p02s02-usmi.html

[ogsball]

23. Officers trend toward Repub, Enlisted toward Dems

Much like the general population. It's just that Enlisted tend not to vote in as high a percentage, so the military vote like the general population get out to vote becomes very important. Maybe with the problems four years ago more there will be more emphasis on voting.

When I was in the military, as an officer, we were 'expected' to vote. Still a silent ballot but there are standards to being an officer, voting was one of them.

[Bread and Circus]

21. If Bush listened to this guy, he'd actually be doing Bush a favor.

Stupid gov't and pentagon fucks. They are going to imprison this guy. They should recruit him as a decision maker. He understands why we are losing ground in Iraq and what is needed to change course.

He seems more visionary and intelligent than the whole lot of assholes running the war.

It pains me to see someone so intelligent speaking the truth facing 20 years in prison.

Personally, I want to get out of Iraq now but if we are to "win" there they better start listening to guys like this.

[immoderate]

22. That court martial should be a treat!

He's up for "insubordination and disloyalty." His defense would be the substance of the document. Let the military court assess the validity of his statements. Sound like a good plot for JAG.

--IMM

[DeepModem Mom]

24. Thanks for posting --

[G_j]

26. a fine piece, very well written and concise

I wish every American could read this.

[opihimoimoi]

27. Swift Sargents not for Bushit, they for whats RIGHT,,,,W is for Wrong

[Moderator]

29. dave502d please read

As per the Democratic Underground copyright rules

please limit your copy and paste to 4 paragraphs .

Thank You

[G_j]

30. kick

[teryang]

31. Failure in a nutshell

Brilliant essay. Thanks.

Does my heart good to see someone in civil affairs who is an honest professional.