The U.S. military has more generals and admirals than...

[Scuba]

a. Al-Qaeda members in Yemen.

b. Al-Qaeda members in Afghanistan.

c. Al-Qaeda members in Pakistan.

d. Al-Qaeda members in all three countries.

Correct answer: a, b, c, and d. According to CIA Director Leon Panetta, there are 50 to 100 al-Qaeda operatives in Afghanistan, possibly less. Best estimates suggest that there are perhaps “several hundred” al-Qaeda members in poverty-stricken, desertifying, strife-torn Yemen.

There are also an estimated “several hundred” members and leaders of the original al-Qaeda in the Pakistani borderlands. The high-end total for al-Qaeda members in the three countries, then, would be 800, though the actual figure could be significantly smaller.

According to Ginger Thompson and Thom Shanker of the New York Times, the U.S. military has 963 generals and admirals, approximately 100 more than on September 11, 2001.

(The average salary for a general, by the way, is $180,000, which means that the cost of these “stars,” not including pensions, health-care plans, and perks, is approximately $170 million a year.) The U.S. military has 40 four-star generals and admirals at the moment, which may represent more star-power than there are al-Qaeda operatives in Afghanistan. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has suggested that, as a belt-tightening measure, he might cut the top-heavy U.S. military by 50 positions -- that is, by half the increase since 9/11.

Take this great quiz. http://www.alternet.org/story/148179/?page=6

[hobbit709]

1. Back in the 70's, the Italian navy had 3 admirals for every 2 ships.

[GKirk]

2. What is the point

that the article is going for?

[Scuba]

4. Take the quiz. I believe the "point" is within your grasp. n/t

[somone]

3. General David Petraeus collapses under the weight of his own medals

http://www.newsbiscuit.com/2010/07/05/stop-press-general-david-petraeus-collapses-under-the-weight-of-his-own-medals/

[hack89]

5. Since we are fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan

I don't see your point.

[Scuba]

6. It's not my point, it's not my quiz. But I believe the "point" is, ....

...for those that don't readily see it, is that our military is bloated, and the actions being taken by our military are not consistent with the actions our leaders have told us would be taken.

Hope that saved time and trouble for all.

[hack89]

8. I agree that there are too many senior officers

but why distort the true situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan to make the point? Valid points can stand without manipulating the facts.

[lilyin]

11. And, it does cost a lot more

to pay admirals and generals than to pay those in lower ranks.

[Kolesar]

7. there are 50 to 100 al-Qaeda operatives in Afghanistan, possibly less

If the US public knew how few there were, there would be more *will* to end our operations in Afghanistan.

[hack89]

9. The US public knows that we are fighting the Taliban

which is reasonable considering every news story about the war makes that very point.

[Zax2me]

10. BS - speculation is not a 'correct' answer

There is no way to accurately count people who existence is all about not being counted or detected.

[msongs]

12. if they retire they will get a socialist retirement w/full health care then become MIC lobbyists n