Army's top officer, Gen. George Casey: Military stretched too thin, forces exceed sustainable supply

[babylonsister]

Army is worn too thin, says general
Calls force not ready to meet new threats


By Bryan Bender, Globe Staff | September 27, 2007

WASHINGTON - The Army's top officer, General George Casey, told Congress yesterday that his branch of the military has been stretched so thin by the war in Iraq that it can not adequately respond to another conflict - one of the strongest warnings yet from a military leader that repeated deployments to war zones in the Middle East have hamstrung the military's ability to deter future aggression.

In his first appearance as Army chief of staff, Casey told the House Armed Services Committee that the Army is "out of balance" and "the current demand for our forces exceeds the sustainable supply. We are consumed with meeting the demands of the current fight and are unable to provide ready forces as rapidly as necessary for other potential contingencies."

Officials said Casey, who appeared along with Army Secretary Pete Geren, personally requested the public hearing - a highly unusual move that military analysts said underscores his growing concern about the health of the Army, America's primary fighting force.

Casey, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wanted a public forum even though he has ample opportunity to speak to lawmakers in closed-door meetings.

Representative John M. McHugh, a New York Republican, said Casey's blunt testimony was "just downright frightening."

more...

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/09/27/army_is_worn_too_thin_says_general/

[bullimiami]

1. solution. fire him.

[babylonsister]

2. And here I thought * is supposed to be listening to the military-silly me. nt

[bullimiami]

9. bush listens to those generals that agree with him.

those who dont agree he replaces.

[Mend]

11. solution: end war, make love.

[Richard Steele]

13. Problem solved.

Just like so many before him.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. may all the tin star back office generals

in the Senate, who voted against giving our men and women the necessary time off, read these words and realize how foolish they have been.

Unfortunately, the "shame" gene seems to be turned off when someone takes a job within the beltway.

[bdamomma]

4. these thugs in the WH are breaking everything. our soldiers,

our country, other countries, and our souls.

[babylonsister]

5. And the Dems are complicit. Did one bring this little fact up last night?

To be fair, I didn't watch the whole debate, but I somehow doubt it.

[bdamomma]

6. I think Dodd was the only one who said this invasion is

damaging the US. If I am correct.

[leftchick]

7. draft after the second Coup

I can see it coming. :(

[babylonsister]

10. They might not have a choice; I have no reason to doubt Casey as

it wasn't exactly in his best interests to say this.

[Nickster]

8. If Gen'l Casey was so damn concerned, he would have started rumbling about this WAY before the vote

on Sen. Webb's bill. This is just more political posturing, shame on him.

[MetaTrope]

12. And now for Iran! OORAH!

[blondeatlast]

14. You beat me to it. nt

[alfredo]

15. I hope you send this story to to all the bushies you know.

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. Five seconds after they slip the dogs of war on Iran

there will be a great cry from the world community

Ten seconds after that a national draft.

There will be a good reason for it... and no I am not talking about a war in the ME... but if anybody believes this is not being monitored by friends and enemies alike I have a bridge to sell you... will even discount it to free.

What galls me is... this need to defend ourselves from real threats has been brought about by men and women who live in fantasy land, and run computer games, not pay atttention to the real experts.

I hope twenty seconds after that... BushCo will be driven out of office.... and we can avoid most of the pain that rightfully is coming our way... but a draft will be necessary...

On the bright side... you will have plenty of chickenhawks screaming once they realize their assess are in the Army now... one, two, one, two, left...left, left right left...

On edit, I will gladly volunteer to scream at these idiots... DROP DOWN AND GIVE ME FIFTY MAGGOTT!