Murtha releases Iraq readiness report as Army backs Rumsfeld

[sabra]

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=40054

Murtha releases Iraq readiness report as Army backs Rumsfeld

WASHINGTON — Army officials angrily defended the capability and competence of the service Thursday in response to criticism from a pair of House Democrats who said the fighting force’s readiness is dangerously low.

Outspoken war critic Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., and Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., on Wednesday again called for the resignation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld for what they said was his failure to keep the military properly staffed and equipped.

They also released a 12-page report compiled from their staff’s examination of Army reports and congressional information requests, which said funding shortfalls and poor planning have led to “the very real prospect that Army readiness will continue to erode, undermining its ability to meet the theater commanders’ needs …”

But Army officials called the detailed report inaccurate and the conclusion of the congressmen off-base.

“Today’s Army is the highest quality Army this Nation has ever produced — it has not ‘gone south,’” according to a statement released in response to the report. “To imply otherwise is an insult to the young men and women who have volunteered to protect our nation’s freedoms.”

[NMDemDist2]

1. the Army needs to prove it. The military is stretched as tight as an

aging starlet's face and we all know it

[BrotherBuzz]

5. The Army can't prove it...

The numbers are controlled (and massaged) by the Department of Defense (Rummy's office). Has been since May or June of 2005.

[grytpype]

2. HOW DARE HE INSULT THE TROOPS!

Murtha better stop insulting the troops! Because that is real, real bad!

[katsy]

3. Thank you for that rovian commercial (screams bloody hell but...

where's the facts contradicting Sen. Murtha's report). Show us the beef or shut the phuck up and sit down.

Nothing frosts me more than military brass going political publicly.

[Renew Deal]

4. There is a difference between readiness and quality.

I am sure that the quality is outstanding. Are there enough troops to meet our needs? I don't think so.

[The Roux Comes First]

6. One of the single most predictable Pavlovian twitches

in America in my experience is the military leaping to categorically deny certain types of criticisms, typically with no real basis for refutal or data provided. Our very own sacred cow.

It seems to me this is a close relative of the phenomenon we are all too aware of where any criticism of a military action is twisted to seem a criticism of individual troops. You can certainly hate the decision process that led to the action (not to mention the predictable chickenhawks involved in the decision) without hating the folks doing the bloody heavy lifting.

[cliss]

8. Great post, Roux comes First.

I was preparing my own angry salvo, and then I read your post. Can't add anything - rare for this little Poster.:smoke:

[The Roux Comes First]

11. Thanks for the kind words

Between clients, co-workers, and relatives either in the military or with close ties, feeling like some extraordinarily special tact and delicacy is needed due to hypersensitivities of this sort can get pretty old.

[rodeodance]

7. the Response makes an emotional comment without evidence.

.....“Today’s Army is the highest quality Army this Nation has ever produced — it has not ‘gone south,’” according to a statement released in response to the report. “To imply otherwise is an insult to the young men and women who have volunteered to protect our nation’s freedoms.”

[gratuitous]

9. "An insult to . . ." well, whom, exactly?

I wonder why the military is deliberately blurring who and what is being said here? Did anyone insult the young (and not so young) men and women in the military? I'm going to bet on "no." Yet this statement runs right for the hyperbole to make it seem that Murtha said something he didn't say.

Which in and of itself is an insult to the men and women all over the country who pay their taxes to support the military, and who trust their elected leaders to use power responsibly and not betray the trust of the young men and women who volunteer for the military.

Isn't it strange how that works out?

[Miss Chybil]

10. It's an insult to the troops not to provide them the things they need to

do their jobs.

[AnneD]

12. Well....

"You go to war with the military you've got".....those word will forever be brought up as a reminder of the callousness and stupidity of this administration. Much like "Heck of a job Brownie".

I was an Army Reservist and I can tell you that this war is decimating the Reserves. The Reserves were never meant to be active combat divisions. It was meant to be something held in reserve. Two weeks a year and once a month duty with call ups in emergencies. The National Guard was even less intended for combat..more for state policing and emergencies. You cannot hold down a civilian job and raise your family if you have so many call ups and these civilians have been the backbone of the Reserves and Guard. They are now the de facto draftees. Yes they volunteered, but for 2 weeks a year and 1 weekend a month for their contracted number of years-not in combat indefinitely which is what is has turned into.

[Miss Chybil]

13. I was in the Reserves and the National Guard... and the

Regular Army. I remember distinctly my mission as a Reservist could have included being sent anywhere in the world I was needed for however long I was needed. At the time the bulk of the military was being held in "reserve." When I was in the National Guard my mission was to protect the nation - most particularly my state, but not exclusively, in the event of attack, or national disaster. In both of these entities I was trained one weekend a month and two weeks a year. Training was not the extent of my obligation. I understood there could come a time the training would have to be put to use. (As a Guardsman, however, I would have never dreamed I would be sent to fight overseas.) I was lucky enough the politicians running things when I was under their command were not madmen. (Well, not as mad as the one playing king right now, anyway.)

I agree with you the war is decimating not only the reserves, but the national guard and the active military, as well.

[exile24]

14. look at this tripe I found on youtube about John Murtha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43JMfvXuPKQ

What cowards.