And then there were eight....

[Jai4WKC08]

Add to Clark, Zinni, Newbold, Eaton, Riggs, Batiste and Swannack:

The grievances aired by half a dozen retired flag officers in recent days resonated with many military veterans. "I admire those who have stepped forward, and I agree with the arguments they are making," retired Marine Lt. Gen. Paul K. Van Riper said in an interview yesterday. "I count myself in the same camp."

Van Riper, a lifelong Republican who voted for Bush in 2000 but did not vote in the 2004 election, said Rumsfeld has failed in a number of ways, including "disastrous" war planning and execution and fostering a poor command climate.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/14/AR2006041401649.html

[BrklynLiberal]

1. What if they gave a war, and no one showed up?

[Neil Lisst]

2. Eight strong and more Generals on the way.

I am so impressed by what is taking place. It is now clear that many, many top officers have planned this out and are carrying out what can only be called an unprecedented action of heroism by retired general officers.

They know that others are silenced by their active duty positions in the chain of command. They know that their criticism of Rumsfeld is a repudiation of Bush's shoot from the lip warmongering.

I salute these guys, all of whom could have a soft and cushy life making sure General Electric sells airplanes to the federal government.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

3. I also like the false meme Rummy laid on us the

other day about "thousands of generals"... there are about 800 flag officers in all services on active duty.

[Jai4WKC08]

4. So when has Rumsfeld not purposely misled the public?

There may be thousands of retired generals, but for every one that's willing to speak out, you can be there are many hundreds, maybe thousands, who agree. It's so completely unprecedented, so against the military culture and mindset, and the personal risk involved is great--especially with this vindictive administration.

Doesn't matter. The wing-nut base that scrambles for any excuse to justify BushCo misbehavior will listen to him. The rest of the public knows how rare it is for generals to say these things, and how bad things must be for them to do so.

[AX10]

5. K/R

[Adelante]

6. Good, we're learning how to count

It was a DEMOCRATIC retired General who said Rumsfeld should be FIRED in 2003. Glad some Repugs are catching up.

[Jai4WKC08]

7. Oh, the Repugs still aren't giving him "credit"

I'm the one who counts it at 8. Note that the WaPo excerpt adds Van Ripen to "a half dozen."

[Adelante]

12. I meant DU is learning how to count

:dunce:

[SoCalDem]

8. I wonder if this news is getting to the rank and file in Iraq?

What must THEY be thinking about now, if it is??

I hope that a lot of soldiers are starting to re-think their blind faith to leaders who see them as worth so little.

[cassiepriam]

10. This is a good question, wonder what the troops are saying about this...

[PetraPooh]

9. I just wish that the average citizen understands why these people

have to be retired to speak freely. I know the RW radio and tv are saying that these people should have spoken publicly and loudly before now, but they honestly are not allowed or able to do so while serving without serious repercussions that would hurt their credibility. Things like dishonorable discharges or simply poor evaluations and reports on their service that could/would be used to claim they were just disgruntled and lashing out. By retiring without incident, it gives them credibility that they weren't just po'd about something and shows they toed the line as their contracts with the armed services required right up to the end of their service.

[checks-n-balances]

11. Thom Hartmann & Gen.Clark supposed to be on FoxTV at 8 tonight

to talk about this very subject. I heard Thom talk mention it on his show this past week, and looked it up on the FNC website. It will be on a one-hour show hosted by John Kaisich at 8:00 Eastern time tonight. The website did not say that any of the other generals would be on as guests, so I hope Hartmann & Clark can hold their own against the rightwingers that are sure to be on the program.

[FrenchieCat]

13. On right now......

the segment after Clark finished is so opinionated.....the Heartland commentator is soooo shilling for Rummy along with some "minor" Major General!

[checks-n-balances]

14. Agreed! And maybe Hartmann will be on another segment of this show

I sure hope so, since the only reason I would keep this godawful network on would be to see him (heard him on radio many times, but never seen him)! On his radio show last week he did say he'd be on this show tonight.

I just took a shower before this came on and I may have to take another one after it's over. How the hell do some people stand to watch this network of propaganda???

[roguevalley]

15. CBS news quoted Gen. Clark that it WAS appropriate for generals

to speak up. Some dimwit, Meyers? said that it wasn't. Dumb ass. Its called the first amendment.

[Totally Committed]

16. It's called their duty, as well as freedom of speech!

This administration has tolerated so little criticism from anywhere, and never has any administration deserved more criticism than this one!

I support Wes Clark and all the Generals who have spoken out, and applaud them for doing it. Hopefully, this is just the beginning!

TC