Stars and Stripes letter -- Read it and weep, Chimpee!

[lebkuchen]

Katrina another Bush failure

The fourth major failure of the Bush administration leading to tragedy has unfolded in gruesome detail in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. It revealed the hypocrisy of “small government” and sham privatization of emergency services. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which was professionalized under the Clinton administration by former Director Jamie Lee Witt was gutted by President Bush.

FEMA’s incompetent political-crony appointees delayed responding to Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s pleas for federal help, which she issued three days before Katrina hit. While people were dying there, the president returned to his fake ranch, the vice president bought a mansion, and the secretary of state shopped Ferragamo’s for $1,000 shoes.

The first failure was cutting Army Corps of Engineers funding to strengthen the levees. Technology to provide equivalent Category 5 hurricane flood protection has been implemented by Holland engineers for decades. Bush’s reduction of funding for this project guaranteed levee failure and disaster.

The second failure, the purposeful dismissal of warnings that al-Qaida was an imminent terrorism threat, led to the disaster of Sept. 11, 2001. The Bush administration downgraded terrorism as a priority, defunded a program monitoring U.S.-based al-Qaida operatives, and replaced counterterrorism Justice Department programs with anti-drug and domestic policing. After 9/11, this was quietly reversed.

The third failure, the invasion and occupation of Iraq, was based on lies and “cooking” of intelligence. This was confirmed by the Downing Street memo and the “9/11 Commission Report.” This administration didn’t care enough about servicemembers or a successful occupation to provide sufficient troops, protective armor or an exit plan. Staying longer in Iraq and failing to secure it means profit for politically connected firms.

Troops in Iraq and veterans were abandoned by a war-profiteering government, as New Orleans residents were. This presidency is deadly, knows it, and doesn’t care.

M.D. Wooldridge
Würzburg, Germany

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=31550

[tridim]

1. Unfortunately he doesn't read

and he certainly doesn't weep.

[in_cog_ni_to]

2. Maybe Pickles can read it to him for his bedtime story tonight. n/t

[Sanity Claws]

23. She doesn't read or watch the tv news either

How else could she not know that the name of the hurricane was Katrina, not Corrina, as she kept saying

[tom_paine]

29. Pickles is too stoned on prescription drugs to read anything

[gauguin57]

13. aw, dang it, tridim. you made me laugh till i wet my pants.

Doesn't read. Doesn't weep. That should be on the bastard's gravestone.

[tavalon]

27. Didn't read. Didn't weep. Didn't care. n/t

[maine_raptor]

3. Now there's a army guy bucking for a discharge.

[lebkuchen]

6. May 2004 letter by the same author -- a true hero

Lies and failures cost lives

It’s time for Americans to admit that this presidential administration is a miserable failure. It has lied to its citizens and soldiers about the reasons for war, been fiscally irresponsible and sullied our great nation’s reputation to the rest of the world.

The revelations of prisoner abuse in Iraq reflect the incompetence and poor planning of the Bush administration, not just of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. The war and its aftermath were thoughtlessly undertaken, disregarding respected opinions from our intelligence analysts and military leaders about the threat from weapons of mass destruction and the number of troops required.

Rather than taking responsibility, President Bush had CIA Director George Tenet take the fall for the White House failures to prevent the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Now Rumsfeld is asked to do the same for Iraq. Secretary of State Colin Powell and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who once had credibility, were played for fools on the world stage.

Wanting a hurry-up Iraq invasion for political reasons, current civilian leadership didn’t even bother to provide proper equipment and shielding for our soldiers, and we’ve had casualties because of it. The oft-repeated phrase of “best-led, best- equipped” is nothing more than a political response for the ultimate betrayal of our fighting forces. Had we patiently cultivated multinational support, the burden of conquering Iraq and the war’s aftermath wouldn’t have fallen so heavily on U.S. troops, reservists, guardsmen and their families.

World opinion of the United States, which was so favorable after Sept. 11, is now at its lowest level. Jokes about the French are a weak attempt to minimize foreign-relations failures. Support from allies vanished because the war was designed to serve the president’s bizarre Oedipal and political purposes. Now the Arab world views us as oppressors engaged in a religious war, not defenders of democratic ideals.

Bush admits he doesn’t read newspapers, except for the sports pages, and dislikes policy discussions. In other words, he chooses to be dumb and uninformed. He and Vice President Dick Cheney operate from the feeling of, “I’m going to do what I want, even if it hurts America or endangers soldiers and citizens.” Their political advisers try to spin this as resolute, strong and committed, but the public sees it as reckless extremism. Today’s complicated world requires thoughtful, deliberative and nuanced policy analysis, a process in which these men don’t engage.

Comparing Bush to President Clinton is irrelevant. References to Sen. John Kerry as a flip-flopper or his war medals come directly from a desperate, embarrassed Republican Party. This president, who vowed to restore integrity to the Oval Office, has done the opposite by being reckless, thoughtless and having no empathy for those whom his decisions hurt. He can’t even muster the courage to visit the maimed, attend funerals of the fallen or understand why he should.

Sexual misconduct every day in the White House is preferable to lies that kill and injure soldiers and waste billions of taxpayer dollars. These lies and failures have cost lives, set back the war on terrorism and harmed our republic. This administration doesn’t deserve another four years.

M.D. Wooldridge
Würzburg, Germany

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=31550

[maine_raptor]

7. And he's STILL in uniform?????? Rummy must have missed that one.

[lebkuchen]

10. I guess. Here's another gem -- Oct 28, 2004

Civilian leaders failed troops

Most military members pride themselves on having a strong, rigorous ethical and moral code. That’s why when something like Abu Ghraib happens, soldiers feel betrayed.

Similarly, accepting the fact that their commander in chief’s administration misled the world about the reasons for invading Iraq is a painful process. Soldiers, however disappointed they might be with this president, know that they must carry on and protect their own in a dangerous war.

Another disappointment faced with courage by military members is the stubborn fact that civilian leaders, such as Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, manipulated this invasion of choice and its aftermath without adhering to customary high standards of military planning. Soldiers expect that the highest standards of planning will be followed in war and peacekeeping to protect them and their mission. These high standards are drummed into soldiers as making the difference between life and death.

Expecting that these military values could or would be practiced by civilian leaders who never served in a war or active military was unrealistic. A history of cutting legal corners to maximize profits, or the rough-and-tumble oil business in Texas, perhaps led them to these moral failings.

Lying about reasons for war, ignoring terror warnings from intelligence, and dismissing experienced commanders’ viewpoints aren’t military values. Neither is breaking a promise to veterans about retirement benefits.

Accepting moral failures of civilian leaders shouldn’t deter soldiers from taking pride in their work. The American people are grateful for their sacrifices and service and don’t hold them responsible for the weak, unprofessional actions of those at the top.

M.D. Wooldridge
Würzburg, Germany

http://66.249.93.104/search?q=cache:2DOxjQuokVIJ:ww2.pstripes.osd.mil/article.asp%3Fsection%3D125%26article%3D23818+M.D.+Wooldridge+and+Stars+and+Stripes&hl=en

[MADem]

17. No, if he were uniformed, (or she, cannot tell) there would be a rank and

branch of service following the name. Likely this person is either the spouse of a DOD civilian, a DOD or nonappropriated funds hire, a local hire (German citizen, married to a servicemember or civilian worker) or a retiree or separated individual who is living in Germany.

[lebkuchen]

18. My guess is the last choice

If you read his other letters, he writes like a vet.

Sept. 21, 2002

'Frightening' lack of qualities

Competence, clarity, decisiveness and consistent diplomacy should be hallmarks of an American government when military members and their families are asked to prepare for war. The glaring absence of these qualities in this administration is embarrassing and frightening. I have not spoken to anyone who believes that either the commander in chief or his administration has done anything to inspire confidence in officers, soldiers or citizens.

When the president called our allies for support for an invasion of Iraq and was rebuffed, it reflected a serial mismanagement of foreign affairs by him and his subordinates. Public swaggering about going it alone without allies is merely a cover for bumbling. British Prime Minister Tony Blair had to fly to America to lend credibility because our leaders are incapable of articulating a persuasive case about why Saddam must go, even though one clearly exists.

Within a week, statements from Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Colin Powell were repeatedly contradictory about a war with Iraq. Security adviser Condoleeza Rice is a sovietologist ill-equipped to advise on Middle East politics and terrorism. This administration was briefed twice in 2001 on threats from al-Qaida, but said afterward that the priority was missile defense, not terrorism. U.S. intelligence confirmed that a terrorist threat was imminent, but when 9/11 happened, our leaders acted totally surprised.

This administration’s missteps would be comic if the possible loss of soldiers’ lives in an attack on Iraq were not so breathtaking. I pray that I will not see on CNN replays of "Blackhawk Down" on Baghdad streets, but the poor planning, ignored intelligence and incompetence shown thus far will certainly guarantee it.

Questions from allies about evidence, isolating and finding Saddam, inflaming the Middle East, nation-building in post-war Iraq, an exit plan, security of oil supplies and additional threats to Israel have yet to be answered by the Bush administration.

Saddam is an evil man whose weapons and ability to make them must be destroyed, but we must demand more from our leaders before we send troops into a battle that could unleash horror and be bloody. The effort and time required for this preparation take precedence over Texas ranch vacations and political fund-raising. This pathetic level of performance to prevent terrorism and remove Saddam is a poor tribute to those who lost their lives on that horrible day last September.

May God bless our soldiers and protect them from enemies, both foreign and domestic.

M. D. Wooldridge
Würzburg, Germany

http://66.249.93.104/search?q=cache:_VFUTuXpOWkJ:www.estripes.com/article.asp%3Farticle%3D10603+M.D.+Wooldridge+and+stars+and+stripes&hl=en

[MADem]

19. He, or she, could be a twofer or threefer

Retired or separated military, permanently living in Germany, working at an AFI or NAFI job!

But this person is not on active duty now.

[lebkuchen]

20. Agreed

Probably a Vietnam vet, SF, maybe.

March 7, 2004

Must demand better

Servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve our utmost respect for the sacrifices they’re making. On their behalf, our government must justify its military decisions honestly and prepare soldiers to the absolute highest standard. That, sadly, didn’t happen.

Pressuring intelligence agencies to exaggerate their findings of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and then blaming them for it; bashing the United Nations and then crawling back begging for peacekeeping assistance; and sending in insufficient troops unprepared for the war’s aftermath, without proper equipment and shielding, reveals inept, uncaring civilian leadership. One wonders if Gen. Custer could have done worse.

Requiring guardsmen and reservists to extend foreign tours as they abandon families, careers, and incomes belies the poor military planning. It is especially insulting to do this as President Bush proposes cuts to veterans’ health care benefits.

Since Vice President Dick Cheney was prepaid to get us into this mess, we should ask him what his plans are to get us out without bankrupting the U.S. and risking more soldiers. Outside of Kabul there is no peace, and the $40 million of walking-around taxpayers’ money that bribed warlords and tribal leaders is wasted. That unruly bunch has regrouped, rearmed, and is up to its ears in a bumper crop of opium.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld conquered Iraq with a military built up by former President Clinton, but Rumsfeld’s so-called reformed military is perilously untrained at peacekeeping. It doesn’t help that the U.S.-anointed head of the Iraqi governing council is a convicted embezzler and has no local support. While it’s true that the people of Iraq are safer without Saddam Hussein, America isn’t, especially economically. More than 2,400 U.S. employers reported laying off 50 or more workers in January, the third-highest number of mass layoffs since the government began tracking them.

Our soldiers and citizens deserve much better, but the White House would rather do flight suit photo ops than act responsibly. Squandering a budget surplus into a $500 billion deficit while lowering taxes for the rich during a war has to be a first for any nation. They favor Social Security and Medicare cuts to make up the difference. Prior to the 2000 election fiasco, a Bush campaign ad promised: “Governor Bush sets aside $2.4 trillion to strengthen Social Security and pay all benefits.” That $2.4 trillion is gone.

Presidential advisor Karl Rove and the Republican National Committee must really be afraid of Sen. John Kerry, since stories are being planted, even in Stars and Stripes, saying that Kerry isn’t a war hero and is undeserving of his Vietnam medals. Such slimy tactics were used to portray former Sen. Max Cleland, who lost two legs and an arm in Vietnam, as unpatriotic. Cleland is now an avid campaigner for Sen. Kerry.

Soldiers’ dependents, families, friends and veterans must demand better civilian leadership for our military and for the economic health of our country.

M. Dan Wooldridge
Würzburg, Germany

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=20639&archive=true

[Brother Buzz]

9. In his dreams - He's probably Stop-Lossed

Nevertheless, it's refreshing to see one guy who really, really gets it! Cool!

[me b zola]

14. This flies in the face of the myth that the military is exclusively repub

This myth, of course, is just one that Dems have allowed the repubs to perpetrate on the American psyche. Another is that 90% of repubs are anti-choice. Bzzzt. Wrong. The number is about 50-50, very similar to the political orientation of the military :)




Happy to give the fifth nomination :hi:

[lebkuchen]

16. Danke sehr!

[BikeWriter]

4. Bullseye!

[TahitiNut]

5. "This presidency is deadly, knows it, and doesn’t care."

Exactly. :thumbsup:

[lebkuchen]

8. What's amusing is that 3 days ago, Stripes printed this letter:

and now one gets the sense the flood gates are about to open, the levees are about to burst, so to speak.

It’s OK to criticize Bush

On Aug. 23, Stripes printed “Patriotic camp springs up to counter peace mom’s anti-war demonstration” (article, The Associated Press), about the “patriotic” camp intended to counter Cindy Sheehan.

The headline was the same as on the AP feed, with the description of the pro-war camp as “patriotic,” perhaps to indicate Sheehan is “unpatriotic.”

In 1918, during World War I, former President Theodore Roosevelt wrote an excellent editorial. In it, he addresses questioning the president during wartime. He said: “The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or anyone else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else.”

Whether you agree or disagree with his policies, you must never be afraid to question him, it’s patriotic. It’s essential in a free country that the citizenry be willing to question and criticize the president.

Saying “we should always stand by the president” is unpatriotic. If decisions must be made on which “camp” is patriotic, listen to Roosevelt.

Senior Airman John Nixdorf
Sather Air Base, Iraq

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=31474

[CitrusLib]

11. Hey, I grew up in Wurzburg! Whoever wrote this, they rock. Great letter.

[lebkuchen]

12. Hey

Thanks for putting it on "greatest," where it deserves to be. :)

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

15. support the troops....

[underpants]

21. Wow that is perfect

absolutely perfect

[oasis]

22. Wow!

:wow:

[enough]

24. Great letter, and a brave writer.

[Vox_Reason]

25. M. D. Wooldridge of Wurzberg, Germany is a true American patriot.

And I thank him not only for his service to his country, but also for his service to the truth.

[WiseButAngrySara]

26. "This presidency is deadly, knows it, and doesn’t care." I wept; B* won't

Recommended.

[Pacifist Patriot]

28. Hey, I even know where that is.

Lived there for four years as a kid. Cheers M.D. Wooldridge. You nailed it!