My Dad was a real soldier...a WWII war hero and career Army

[featherman]

officer. This political deification of the military brass as above criticism would have him laughing in his grave. It was his oft-repeated opinion that the "brass at the Pentagon were the biggest collection of horses asses south of Pimlico".

Now we're supposed to listen to these generals on matters of national policy???? Where did THAT come from? They're generals for god's sake, professional ass-kissers and a running joke to anyone who has ever served.

Now every general is automatically a "hero"? The concept of true heroism has certainly been demeaned and diminished in modern parlance.

[pansypoo53219]

1. one word

westmorland.

or colon Bowell.

or CUSTER.

[Thothmes]

5. Custer was a Lt Colonel when killed at the Little Big Horn

[Bozita]

2. "General" in the modern military is the equivalent of a HS principal.

Petraeus is a HS principal with lawn signs for school board members.

Bad taste.

[WCGreen]

3. What do you expect from the likes of Bush et al...

They puff out like a blowfish and then run and hide behind big daddy general when things get tough...

I am so sick of this blustery posturing that idiots in this country have bought into...

Hell, I'd sooner believe Gomer that any general left in the Pentagon...

[unhappycamper]

4. Everyone fighting

the Global War On Terror for oil is considered a 'hero' in the Orwellian language in use today.

I personally reserve use of the word for those who have done something heroic. And I haven't seen many heroic deeds, unless you include folks who have gotten off their asses and hit the streets protesting.

[rasputin1952]

6. The last 2 "front fighting generals" were Patton and Bradley...

although there were others, ie TR jr went in on D-Day as a Brigadier General, but Patton and Bradley often inisted on being in harms way to ensure they got the true picture.

The position of General/Admiral is exceptionally powerful, but it is essentially a political appointment, ergo, it comes down to whom you know, and who you didn't tick off somewhere down the line.

In todays military, as in the past, it is a difficult line to walk between politics and military bearing. The two must always be seperate, but that line is murkier today, than in the past.

We may never see another George Marshall again....:(