Here's what a retired Colonel whose a lifelong Republican has said about Bush's Surge Plan for Iraq!

[Pachamama]

I sent an email to a relative who is a now retired colonel (retired about 5 years ago) and was involved in operations in the Gulf War and knows a lot about combat training. He's a lifelong Republican. He supported this war in the 4 years ago and Bush. Here is what he said in relation to both Bush's proposed surge, our presence there and the news about the deployment of the Armys 4th Stryker brigade that is about to deploy without having completed its basic training at Ft. Irwin or Ft. Polk. (See the news here - http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/military/stryker/story/6320244p-5509832c.html )

(NOTE what my relative the retired Colonel says about the importance of the training and what is the destiny of those troops going into Bush's surge plan. Note also what the solution is going to be - not military - its going to take a civilian one - US and the Congress)

"Dear ____:

Great to hear from you; even considering the topic. YES, I agree with you completely. But forget surge; why are we still there, now, anyway, given the "civil war" situation. That was the one condition that was always drummed into us when I attended the Army's most senior leadership school (The Army War College); selection rate for this was something like 4.8% and toughest cut to make outside of General Officer .... anyway .... never get involved in a civil war was a recurrent theme while in training. You are right that Ft Irwin and the National Training Center is VERY important in deployment training. It is like the final exam and is how a unit determines it's readiness and what weaknesses it has; can't imagine skipping this critical step in the deployment process. One of the things that bothers me most about this surge idea is that these units are going to be "embedded" with the Iraqi's -- they are going to be "forted up" with them; go on patrol with them, be in direct support of them and essentially be under their Command and Control ... this certainly exposes them more and one would expect an increase in casualties. I don't have an answer on how we can get out. It will not come from the military as this would amount to mutiny and you really don't want the military deciding what is right for our country (Seven Days in May-wise). It must come from our civilian leadership. I see more and more republicans coming out against what we are doing every day and think that even the die hards will be pounding on the Presidents desk in the next 90 days when this surge thing goes south. You've been against this from the beginning and been a passionate vocal advocate of getting out quickly; I'd say about 3 more months and no one will be able to justify our continued presence there."

[Mark E. Smith]

1. Great Post

It is great to see Americans of all stripes and persuasions coming together in their opposition
to the policies of this awful president.

[Pachamama]

4. It's interesting to see him refer to the "die-hards" because 6 months ago, I'd have called him one..

He's still a Republican....but he loves his country, loves his military and he is just disgusted and sees the utter failure that this President is and what he has done.

I couldn't have had an email like this from him say 1 plus year ago....In fact, many DUers might remember about two years ago me posting around Thanksgiving when I was visiting them some of the outrageous things that he was saying and I came to the DU for some TLC and some guidance of how not to want to scream since I was a guest at his house for Thanksgiving.

People are coming around, even the die-hards, but I'm sick to my stomach at his 3 months comment...how many of our soldiers in body bags is it going to take??? :cry:

[wakeme2008]

2. problem is it will be DEAD troops that will

bring the die-hards over to get them out now :cry:

[Pachamama]

5. I know....that is the sickening part....

And if you read that news link to the deployment of the 4th Stryker brigade being deployed before the completion of their training, we are basically sending our kids into their deaths.

I also hadn't thought about his comment about our troops being under the command of the Iraqi's...I haven't heard much or any discussion of this, but clearly as a military man, he is following what is happening and he is really worried.

[Richard Steele]

3. Kicked and Recommended!

[dooner]

6. never get involved in a civil war

great to hear this viewpoint. thanks

[Pachamama]

7. He's acknowledged its a civil war....A year ago when I spoke with him, he insisted it was not

Amazing how much can change in a year....

I'm telling you all, the fact that he is at this point is in a weird way a "good sign". If you knew what a big supporter of Bush he was and "good Republican", I swear I would have bet that he would have been one of the last 1% supporting Bush and this War.

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. "Never get involved in a civil war"

Bush never served in Vietnam, so he doesn't know this lesson.

[Pachamama]

9. Bush sure is good at igniting Civil War's, isn't he?

He probably sees that as a success....

Scary ain't it that the "Commander-in-Chief" of our military never served or did active combat duty and yet he so readily and happily sends our soldiers off to their deaths in a disastrous plan that any trained officer knows is a suicide mission.....

[The Backlash Cometh]

14. Ignorance is often mistaken for bravery.

I remember when I was a kid, years ago, a large number of my classmates ended up at this river with a craggy edge. It must have been a twenty foot drop down to a narrow stretch of water. You really needed to fall precisely to make sure you didn't hit the edges of the banks that ran down, perpendicular underwater. Well, my incredibly brave friend hesitated at the top. This girl was the most athletic, confident person I had ever met in my life. But, she hesitated. She hesitated because she stopped to think about the consequences. I was behind her, and I could see her demeanor change. I really liked this person as a friend, but I was forever in her shadow because she simply was far more superior athletically than I would ever be. So, I did something completely uncharacteristic. For no reason that I can ever explain, I left my brain on the top of that cliff, pushed her aside and jumped instead of her.

I jumped, not because I was brave, but because I willed myself to be ignorant of the consequences. And in so doing, I knew I would rise above the wimpy status that I had up to that time.

Now, two things are important to remember. My decision only affected me, and me alone and I always knew that what I did was stupid, stupid, stupid. I didn't even feel the thrill of it, because I had shut off all emotion in order to do it. I wonder if being President Bush, making all the bad decisions he's making, has also shut himself off from those normal, human emotions?

[Pachamama]

15. Wow - that's a great story and analogy to what perhaps makes Bush do the things he has done

I am sure that the wimpy and insecure person that he is with a need to prove himself has been a strong motivator and reason for his doing things that are just plain stupid and dangerous.

The difference however is that in your case, you only endangered yourself when you jumped. The difference is that had it been Bush standing there, he wouldn't have jumped himself, but rather pushed your friend off the cliff.

[The Backlash Cometh]

16. Yup, Bush would have resolved his wimp factor by pushing her off.

A separate peace. I've got to read that story again, because I think I can get something more out of it now that I've accumulated a few experiences of my own.

[Monkeyman]

10. There is a member of the DU family

Who knows a mom of one of these troops being sent over. He told his family he is not coming home. And the kid wrote up his will. My heart is breaking my fear is without the training these kids will come home in body bags or be wounded. God Forgive Bush I never Will

[Pachamama]

11. I'm speechless....and shaking....

Just the thought that a young man like that knows he's likely not coming back....

I'm so angry and upset and crying right now as I type this....just the thought of how many more like him have to die for this sick psycho's wars is just unforgiveable....I will never feel justice is done in this world until Bush is held responsible for his war crimes....

:cry:

[AnnieBW]

12. Wills Are Standard Policy

For any military member deploying. However, this kid's fatal attitude is worrisome. He really needs to keep a positive attitude. I feel so bad for this kid and others like him.

[Monkeyman]

13. He been there twice now first time he wrote a will

I know I wrote a will out in Nam. But wow this kid is in trouble