Bush is asked would service members' concerns affect his decision about troop levels

[sabra]

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1658588,00.html

In a cement building sheltering them from the 110-degree heat outside, Hemming stood in a flight suit in front of Bush and a roomful of Marines. The captain was nervous, careful and spoke very much as if he had spent a lot of time memorizing what he was going to say. Holding a long metal pointer up to a wall map, he told Bush what his unit's mission is and what they've seen in their area of operations. Bush followed along, nodding, and for a while it looked as if the event would turn out to be the usual dog-and-pony show the Defense Department puts on for VIPs.

But then Hemming began to talk about the Marines' new rotation schedule, and their extended tours in Iraq, and the room became more tense. Hemming said there were pros and cons to the rotation. The pros, he said, were that Marines could familiarize themselves with the battlefield thanks to the extra days they serve on it. The cons stemmed from the length of the troops' five-month stateside break between deployments. Speaking more quickly out of what seemed nervous determination, Hemming said, "Our training at home has been very limited." The short stays were particularly hard on families, he said.

As the room waited to see how the President would react, Hemming said he would welcome any questions or comments. Bush looked across the room at him and said, "Morale. How's morale?" "It's very good sir," said Hemming.

...

Bush said, "Obviously there's concerns about families, rotations. People who have got young kids want to be with their kids. I understand that. On the other hand, many of them reup," he said, arguing that reenlistment rates are high in Anbar. Would service members' concerns affect his decision about troop levels later this month? "The main factor that will affect my decision on troop levels is, can we succeed, what does it take to succeed?" Bush answered. "Because failure would lead to harm to America, is what I believe. As a matter of fact I'm certain of it."

[Rick Myers]

1. Translation: Bush to English

"You guys gotta stay here an' keep dyin' or else Unkle Dick'll blow up some more buildings in New York."

[atreides1]

2. Translation

"Go Fuck Yourself, Captain Hemming"

It's either re-up or get stop lossed, at least if you re-up you get a bonus!


"The main factor that will affect my decision on troop levels is, can we succeed, what does it take to succeed?"

Translation: No matter how many American military personnel have to die or how mnay are maimed, I'm going to have that access to Iraqi oil

"Because failure would lead to harm to America, is what I believe. As a matter of fact I'm certain of it."

Translation: God told me so just the other day!