Letters to the Editor for 4/21/06 from Stars and Stripes

[dweller]

Dissent is patriotic

In “Pace: Generals had chance to oppose war plan” (article, Stars and Stripes, April 13, Europe/Mideast), Gen. Peter Pace said “in the run up to the war we had then and we have now, the opportunity to speak our minds. And if we do not, shame on us because the opportunity is there. It is solicited from us.”

Recent revelations from retired Marine Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold, retired Marine Gen. Tony Zinni and others offer some explanation about conditions permeating the Pentagon in the run-up to war in Iraq; an implicit claim that an environment of retribution existed that fostered timidity among the top brass. But dissent and criticism did exist. The Army’s former chief of staff, Gen. Eric K. Shinseki spoke his mind and he got fragged.

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Retired generals courageous

Regarding recent articles about retired generals calling for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld’s resignation: “Whatever our commanders on the ground tell us they need, they will get.” So sayeth (and repeateth and repeateth) the Bush administration and its secretary of defense.

Unfortunately, with time, this mantra has become more and more hollow, political and fabricated. America is learning the truth from firsthand sources, generals involved directly with the invasion of Iraq and the war. This “revelation” is a significant “vote” of no confidence, with the military starting to express a public voice of mistrust for the present civilian leadership at the Pentagon.

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=36612


dp

[WatchWhatISay]

1. Other countries have military coups

Why cant we?