In Defense of the Generals ...

[blueinindiana]

Some people say the Generals should have resigned or ‘spoke up more’ when battling Rumsfeld and his plans for war. I think this is very simple minded.

First off you can not just ‘resign’ especially in a time of ‘war’ otherwise officers would just resign their commissions whenever a war came up.

If the Generals did ‘resign in protest’ that would have not changed Rumsfeld mind or anyone else in the Pentagon. The generals would have been labeled ‘traitors’ by the very same people who are saying they should have spoken up or resigned. The critics would say these generals are ‘cowards in the face of WAR!’

** Do not forget the UCMJ **

I they spoke out more forcefully with out violating the UCMJ they would have been punished in some way especially in their retirement benefit area.

I know some on here say these Generals are selfish for thinking about themselves but if I spent 30 + years on the service I would be thinking about myself. You put 30 + years into something and just throw it away in a vain attempt to change someone’s mind.

The generals knew the plan was flawed and operated under the plans they were given the best they could.

So let Fox News bash these Generals for being cowards who should have resigned. The real cowards still run the Pentagon and the White House.


Note: UCMJ ( Uniform Code of Military Justice ) For those who do not know the military it is the set of laws every one in the military must follow. Each branch follows those rules along with a set of rules specific to each service.

For Example: I was in the Navy I had to follow all (Federal, State and local laws) plus I had to follow the (UCMJ and Navy Regulations) when you in the military you give up many rights it is just how the military operates you may not like it but that is the way it is.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

1. I couldn't have said it better. However, for a group of generals to speak

out against their civilian commanders while in uniform would invite more than punishment in the retirement benefits... it could be interpreted as insubordination and potentially result in courts martial and jail time.

There is a big difference in these men speaking out as retired, civilians, with knowledge of the real situation, than as active duty generals. And by saying that, I DON'T mean that it was cowardly of them all to wait until they were retired.

[blueinindiana]

5. I know I served in the military ...

It easy for armchair QB's to say stuff but they are not subject to the UCMJ even officers are subject to parts of the UCMJ. JUst cause your an officer doe snot make you exempt from punishment even generals.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

8. Officers are subject to the whole UCMJ. That's why it's a 'Uniform'

Code of Military Justice. I spent 15 years as an officer and it all applied to me, and every other officer.

[blueinindiana]

9. Sorry was not sure..

about the UCMJ as it applied to officers.

[Ecumenist]

2. AMEN..

That's what I've been told by the numerous active military and veterans in my family.

[SYNERCHOSIS]

3. What ever happened to refusing to fight?

I will never understand what makes a kid in the military just follow immoral orders.

Yeah yeah I know they are programed to obey at all times but don't they have a soul?

I just wish that sanity would sweep over the troops and they all tell their commanders to piss off, I mean these same people have no problem telling teachers and mcdonalds managers to get bent, why can't they do the same in the military?

[Redstone]

4. Never been in combat, have you?

Redstone

[SYNERCHOSIS]

11. Ever had someone die in your arms?

Life is precious, any other rationalization is just stupid.

[blueinindiana]

6. Obviously you have never served in the Military ..

When you join the military you give up certain rights, freedom of speech is one of them to a certain extent. You can not question orders unless they are unlawful and that can be very hard to prove AFTER you have been courts martialed.

The military is not a game or movie it is real and when your in it you live it 24 hrs a day.

[SYNERCHOSIS]

10. Sorry, I just don't approve of terrorism

ours or theirs. And I never knew that to defend freedom you had to give up yours.

Everyone has a choice, they choice to kill for oil, I can never respect that. Day in and day out I hear people talking about joining the military. A lot just want money to make their lives better, which is ok, however most of the time they are not that better off. But the thing is most of them think the army IS a game, hell have you seen some of the ads for the army, they advertise it like it's a video game. Most think they will get to be glorified boy scouts having fun and shooting guns. Very few ever take the time to contemplate what it will be like to watch people get killed and yes to even kill people yourself.

Now don't get me wrong, if this country was under attack I would fight for my home and family. However I will never condone the massive amount of bloodshed this country has perpetrated in OUR NAME!

I would never expect for anyone to lay down their arms in a fire fight. All I'm saying is they have a choice, they do not HAVE to get on the plane in the first place.

How many military engagements where required for our safety or for the defense of freedom? Not very many.

I will only support the troops that support peace. We are not talking about some cute little code of conduct, we are talking about war crimes!!! We are talking about the slaughter of innocent babies so oil companies can make more profit!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

7. I knew an officer that had to shoot a man for refusing to fight....

...while they were being overrun by NVA regulars. The man sat down and refused to fight. The officer felt he did what he had to do to keep the unit from being overrun and getting all of them killed.

Here's my point...nobody has ANY rights in combat. You either follow your orders to the best of your ability because your fellow soldiers are depending on you, or you face the consequences for not doing so. There are no other choices.

[SYNERCHOSIS]

12. I guess I just don't get it.

This man sitting down was endangering the unit how??

He was more then likely mentally overwhelmed and went into a dissociative state. I bet you that officer was pissed at this guy and wanted to make an example. I would expect a human not to murder somebody just because the have a mental breakdown. Are we going to execute anyone who is psychotic?
That poor murder victim was put into that situation by callous people that have no idea of what's right or wrong.

Like I said before, if your in a firefight there is no excuse for choosing peace at that moment, when your friends are at risk. Any other time they can choice to quit, to not go on patrol, etc.