Bush Assigns Navy Admiral to Command Desert Troops

[Lowell]

Maybe I'm just dense, but I don't understand this appointment. I served in both the Army and Navy. They are not at all alike. Why is Bush assigning an admiral to do a general's job?

From CNN Homepage -
Adm. William Fallon, who currently oversees U.S. forces in the Pacific, has been tapped by Bush to replace Gen. John Abizaid as head of U.S. Central Command, a senior U.S. military official told CNN Friday.

Also, Lt. Gen. David Petraeus has been tapped to replace Gen. George Casey as the chief commander in Iraq, the official said.

The only conclusion I can draw from this is that Adm Fallon's assignment is purely political.

Here is the link: http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/05/us.iraq/index.html

[demnan]

1. Well we have a commander in chief

with no war time experience! It's all a big game to Bush.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

2. He must be a ball licker like Pace

only explanation

[Captain Hilts]

3. And an aviator at that. Aviators got us into this mess: Rummy, W & Meyers.

It makes NO sense.

I made this point on another thread and folks didn't 'get' it at all. But if you're a grunt, this has got to tick you off. Almost as bad as celebrating the 'victory' on a carrier.

[Lowell]

6. I was a grunt before I was a squid

and yes this does get my goat. I have no doubt that there is some arcane reason for this assignment, but I just can't figure it out. Could it have anything to do with the fact that sailors are being cross trained as soldiers now? They are running out of ground troops and beginning to reassign sailors to ground units. Maybe he can talk their language and now will hear commands like starboard flank. This is really baffling.

[murray hill farm]

4. IN one word!

IRAN

[Ian David]

5. In all fairness, the Admiral has some interesting ideas on desert warfare...

[Lowell]

7. LOL! Ahh, now it all makes sense! Thanks n/t

[Little Wing]

8. Leave Candy Crowley out of this

[Captain Hilts]

9. Not funny. nt

[leveymg]

10. Another signal to Iran. Only way this makes sense, unless al-Sadr

has launched a secret navy.

[shain from kane]

15. The camel is the ship of the desert.

[solara]

11. He needs a Naval Commander in place for Iran n/t

[BOSSHOG]

12. CENTCOM IS A JOINT COMMAND

Whomever the four star is is in charge of all services in that region. I see this as a sign of bush's big "change," the use of seapower in the middle east. "Conservatives" just can't stop themselves when they start fucking things up. I find it interesting that a three star is taking Casey's place; somewhat of a backhanded slap or Petraeus is on the brink of a promotion. I would think that job would be a four star billet but what can you expect from a dipshit who couldn't be promoted to O-3 in the national guard.

[BushOut06]

13. That makes about as much sense as a screen door on a submarine

Sorry, had to say it.

[Historic NY]

14. Dry Dock Admiral.....................

The only saving grace is that Lt. Gen. David Petraeus has been tapped to replace Gen. George Casey as the chief commander in Iraq. I know his father an old WWII Dutch Merchant Marine Capt. Lt. Gen Petraeus was frugal in getting things fixed with the Iraqis perhaps he can work his skill on getting something done.

[PATRICK]

16. Iran here we come

is my guess- and only a guess. Maybe Dimson isn't too sure either and they certainly don't care who is in charge so long as the bobble head nods often and in the right direction. It may be a truculent slap at the Army. As usual, with Bushco all the worst interpretations have more than grain of probability. The need for naval and air maneuvers and attacks on Iran or Syria would be the massive prerogative of an aptly placed heavyweight regional commander. This confirms a lot of signals- or bluffs- that is at least putting an aggressive face forward over the bones of the defunct Iraq occupation.

Having the guy in charge of ships for the big bugout being in charge is the kindest and unlikeliest thought.

Maybe Wes Clark is not right in his suspicions about the Iranian gambit still being on, but this "option" even as bluff can suddenly take on a life of its own, especially if weakly enabled by those pols willing to go halfway to hell with wee Georgie on "defense".

Ultimately there are dangerous fools still in charge, still not in jail where they belong.

[Lowell]

18. I'm not sure about a bugout

but I do know that there are a lot of Iranian oil rigs in the gulf. Perhaps this is in preparation to seize those rigs.
Oh hell, who knows what is going through the reptilian brains.

[montanacowboy]

17. THREE WORDS IRAN IRAN IRAN

THE NAVY MAN FOR A NAVAL WAR AGAINST IRAN - NO OTHER REASON

[AbsoluteArmorer]

19. It's the Navy's fault

It's to understand the track record of this idiotic Bush Administration which may help explain how they are now planning to pass the buck for their upcoming cluster fuck debacle in Iran by having, already in place, a Navy Commanding Adm to place blame on. I personally would think that with probably 1000s of air strikes initially planned for the Iran War, the more qualified for that 'deciders' position would be an AF General. Doesn't matter I guess. These guys have been flipping coins and throwing darts to make their decisions so far at the Pentagon.

[james101]

20. My Best explinaton at the Moment

You know what? I think Bush did that since Bush himself was in the Navy. He's so arrogant, childish, a brat rich boy. That's the only explination I can give for why he pulls a lot of the nutty stunts I've witnessed him do. I think Bush has authorized more medals than all presidents in history combined. Bush authorized the Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals, the Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Expeditionary Medal, and many more. I think he's gone nuts and tried to ruin the military in every way possible.

[jody]

21. Sorry but dubya was in the Texas Air National Guard./y