New Joint Chiefs Nominee: ‘This War Is Going To Go On For A Long Time. It’s A Generational War’

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/08/mullen-generational/

New Joint Chiefs Nominee: ‘This War Is Going To Go On For A Long Time. It’s A Generational War’

Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced today that Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Peter Pace, the highest-ranking U.S. military official, is being replaced by Navy Adm. Mike Mullen.

Pace is the first Joint Chiefs Chairman not to be renominated for a second term since the military was centralized under the joint chiefs position 21 years ago. The selection of Mullen also marks the first time in 21 years when both the head of the Joint Chiefs and the CentCom Commander, Adm. William Fallon, have been Navy officers.

Some insight on Mullen can be gained from a speech he gave to sailors in Pearl Harbor in Feb. 2007:

In his opening remarks, Mullen, a Vietnam War veteran, told Pearl Harbor sailors: “I honestly believe this is the most dangerous time in my life.

“The enemy now is basically evil and fundamentally hates everything we are — the democratic principles for which we stand … This war is going to go on for a long time. It’s a generational war.”

From a Feb. 2006 interview with Mullen:

You use the term ‘Long War’, and it’s important to understand that and really grab this issue because it is going to be around for a significant amount of time. I call it generational. That said, there are still traditional capabilities that are very much required.

When Fallon was appointed in January to lead CentCom, analysts noted the choice of a Navy officer reflected “a greater emphasis on countering Iranian power, a mission that relies heavily on naval forces and combat airpower to project American influence in the Persian Gulf.” In announcing the nomination of Mullen this afternoon, CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr said that Mullen “watches Iran closely.”

[seemslikeadream]

1. Tired of Being Lied to? Modern History You Can't Afford to Ignore

http://www.buzzflash.com/farrell/05/11/far05001.html

"The only thing new in the world is the history you don't know." ~ Harry S. Truman

A couple years ago, historian Chalmers Johnson predicted that thanks to the "entrenched interests" of the military-industrial complex, the United States can look forward to a future of perpetual war, increased propaganda, fewer Constitutional rights, and a bloated executive branch. America, he warned, "will cease to resemble the country outlined in the Constitution of 1787" unless there is a "revolutionary rehabilitation of American democracy."

[babylonsister]

8. That's not comforting at all, though it seems familiar. nt

[Solly Mack]

2. Oh goody - another true believer squared

Fools all.

[dogday]

3. I have been saying the same thing... NPR article

stated Pentagon Studies expect this war to last for decades and at least 50,000 troops will be in Iraq at all times....

Now tell me what Republicans and Democrats don't know this....

How do you end a war they plan on fighting till the oil and other resources are depleted?


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=969423&mesg_id=969423

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=942289&mesg_id=942289

[MadBadger]

4. He's talking about "War on terror" right? And not the War in Iraq.

[babylonsister]

5. I think he's talking about both/all. Notice Iran is also mentioned, and

I don't think he's looking way too far into the future to bring Iran into this.

[dogday]

7. Since when has this administration made the distinction

between the war in Iraq and the War on Terror? We are fighting them there so we don't have to fight them here....

[Tom Joad]

6. Man should be locked up forever. after which he can rot in hell.

in other words, i have little respect for him.

[butterfly77]

9. I guess it will since...

they are spreading the war all over the world. The repugs see everybody as a terrorist.

[catmandu57]

10. Does he have to be confirmed by the Senate

or does the chimpenfuhrer get him because he issues a royal decree? If he has to pass the Senate is there any hope of somebody saying no and meaning it?

[babylonsister]

13. Yes, according to this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=389

[CGowen]

11. the enemy within....n/t

[bdamomma]

12. yes, and the enemy is us.

[Gregorian]

14. It's not a war, it's an invasion.

There is nothing else to say. The laws will decide how long this invasion continues.

[blueworld]

15. It's a rather well-organized nightmare

All these biblical, faith-based Christians in our government should know that terrorists (biblically called "zealots") have been fighting occupiers for at least 2000 years. How can supposedly intelligent, well-educated ideological automatons continue to call this a "war on terror" without being smacked down by our esteemed journalists?

OPEC is threatening to put the price of oil through the ceiling if biofuels are researched seriously, aren't they (I have to go read that article again)? We the people had better drastically reduce our energy consumption ON OUR OWN or these government nutjobs are going to be sacrificing American children/soldiers on the altar of oil indefinitely. :rant:

[babylonsister]

16. When you find any of these 'esteemed journalists', pls. let me know! nt

[indepat]

17. Seems Mullins' pea-sized brain does not grasp that this nation cannot piss away trillions of dollars

every few years on pre-emptive wars without bankrupting this nation which is already wallowing in massive debt to build the sophisticated weaponry needed to fight pre-emptive wars with an acceptable kill ratio? Every American home will need to have a wheelbarrow available to haul the dollars that will be needed for the daily loaf of bread.