Josh Marshall suggests Pentagon might be sticking it to bush.

[milkyway]

This evening, Wingerdom is all aflutter about what they now see as the New York Times-CBS-IAEA international anti-Bush conspiracy. But they might do better to focus their anxieties elsewhere.

Like at the Pentagon, for instance.

Who over there is trying to stick it to the president?

Look at two big news stories on Tuesday, the Washington Post report that the White House plans to ask for some $70 billion more in Iraq spending just a week or two after the election and this USA Today piece reporting that the Pentagon is planning to add roughly 20,000 more troops to the force in Iraq in anticipation of the elections in January.
<snip>

Don't get me wrong: I'm not saying that the Army is trying to drive the president from office or that there's anything coordinated about this. I'm simply pointing out that if you look at the Pentagon as a whole -- and not just Larry Di Rita's shop in OSD -- in Bush-Cheney '04 terms, it's starting to look like part of the problem rather than part of the solution.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2004_10_24.php#003809

[The Traveler]

1. We're done

I am speculating based on the statements of former colleagues and what I have read in specialized public sources that the brotherhood is done with the neo-conservative maniacs.

We sometimes get out of hand, but our basic impulse is to protect the nation and tend to its best interests. We bow to civilian rule ... but when that rule refuses to accept reason and reality, or when its purposes are dishonorable, all bets are off.

Consider the American military very centrist, and you won't be far wrong. Bush is a fuckin' radical, and that in the long run will produce increasing friction between the military and the political branches of government.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

10. Congratulations on 1 year here at DU robg!

and thanks for your insight here! It's nice to know Kerry has his share of support in the Pentagon.

[ThePhilosopher04]

2. After viewing Rumsfeld's War on Frontline tonight...

I'm inclined to agree with Josh Marshall. We often assume the military is in lock-step with this administration but I'm beginning to think they have more enemies than friends!

[LittleClarkie]

4. I remember hearing that the Navy was none to friendly either

When the Swiftee business was in full swing, I was impressed by the little tidbits of support I'd see coming out of official publications like the Navy Times -- a document here ... an investigation that cleared Kerry's medals there. I appreciated the hell out of that.

In other news, is it true that Bush want to cut the Navy fleet down? Thought I heard that too.

[giant_robot]

13. Great Frontiline last night

and I have to agree that this administration does not have many friends in the Pentagon.

[milkyway]

3. Military might be pissed at bush for using them as scapegoats for Iraq

being FUBAR. bush constantly says he gives the military whatever they say they need to get the job done (don't blame me, I just write the checks!). And if what they say they need isn't what he wants them to say they need, he gets someone else who will say it.

[Florida_Geek]

5. they hate Rummy more than Bush

Bush would have been better served firing Rummy.....IMHO

Only the Air fArce with their super dupper missle defense and planes like Bush.

[humanbeing]

6. A military acquaintance told me tonight...

"I know first hand that they have to scrounge up folks to go to the speeches (Bush) gives on military posts. Usually have to order folks."

WOW.

[izzie]

7. I have always learned it this way.

If anything gets in the way of the big money boys, as a president hurting their pockets, they would step in and take the guy down any way they could. Now that is said with the belief of big international money really being the power behind every thing. I think it is true and I think Bush is starting to hurt the golden goose which is the buying power of the rich countries. So things are starting to turn a little stinky for him. He has to be a front man who does what is best for them. Which is really good for working middle class world wide, as we keep the money people in big money.

[tsuki]

8. The military

gets it back up when you start forcing retirements for general officers that you don't like them politically. Truman caught a lot of military flack over McArthur.

[milkyway]

9. kick.

[Jacobin]

11. They're pissed because they got "Vietnamed" again

Idiot monkeys trying to start and run a politically motivated war, ignoring real intelligence, cooking the intelligence, putting troops in harms way for no good reason. It all blows back on the military and they are obviously pissed.

It started when the idiots FIRED the general who gave them reality based advice.

[Boredtodeath]

12. It's the 9/11 Commission legislation

The White House and the Pentagon are at odds over the legislation from the 9/11 commission.

Bush wants to take away military control over intelligence. That pissed off the Pentagon.

The House is supporting the Pentagon, Bush and the Senate the separation.

It's all about the 9/11 Commission legislation.