Retired generals say Cheneys are scaremongering over Guantanamo

About a dozen retired generals and admirals, trying to add momentum to President Barack Obama's effort to close the Guantanamo Bay military prison, are accusing former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz of scaremongering about the dangers of closing it.

[A Dozen Roses]

I hope this is a joke...Liberal Generals?

[Abe]

Let's see.

Is it that, during their time of military service, their mission was to search out and destroy "symbols"? And, they are merely continuing to employ their "military" skills?

Or is it that, having served the country admirably in their former military roles (which I am sure they did), their inner politician -- so long supressed -- can now be freely and foolishly expressed.

One hopes it is not the former. But if it is the latter, let's hope the reading/TV-viewing public applies some judgment!

[The American Lesion]

The amazing part is that anybody gives a hoot what Cheneys have to say. Why does it carry any weight? They are imbeciles and have been full of **** for how many years now?

[really]

leave it up to this rag to keep bringing up the evil mongers. they avoid things like the fraud of ACORN or Van Jones things that apply now instead they are selective in what they deem news. The will not report on the dems to be sure

[Murph]

Dick,run to the heart doctor, Cheney! What a great American!!!! Has one wounded lawyer on his resume!.Deserving a medal? quite likely,given the odds.As for service to the country? We'll let the Saudi's be the judge of that, because it had nothing to do with us otherwise.Unless it was your husband,wife,kid who died for the Arabs! Get in tune and off the moon!

[Jessica A]

Murph wrote:

Dick,run to the heart doctor, Cheney! What a great American!!!! Has one wounded lawyer on his resume!.Deserving a medal? quite likely,given the odds.As for service to the country? We'll let the Saudi's be the judge of that, because it had nothing to do with us otherwise.Unless it was your husband,wife,kid who died for the Arabs! Get in tune and off the moon!

He's a heck of a lot better than a president who has played golf more than he's spoken to our generals. No wonder he doesn't know what he's doing. Doesn't seem like he's winning much on the health care reform front. I heard it was D.O.A. Too funny! He can't even unify his own party? He can't do anything.

[Bob the Bilderberg]

There's a reason these guys are "retired." If you're not good enough to get promoted, they show you the door.

"Closing Guantanamo is of a strategic value," Taguba said. "Seeing people in orange jumpsuits and whatever have you creates such an excitement for people to be jihadists and terrorists ... It's not helping us."

This man is not a warrior and lacks the mindset necessary to engage the jihadists who only respect brutal strength.

[goodforthegander]

Bob the Bilderberg wrote:

There's a reason these guys are "retired." If you're not good enough to get promoted, they show you the door.
"Closing Guantanamo is of a strategic value," Taguba said. "Seeing people in orange jumpsuits and whatever have you creates such an excitement for people to be jihadists and terrorists ... It's not helping us."
This man is not a warrior and lacks the mindset necessary to engage the jihadists who only respect brutal strength.

Typical words of a coward who never really served anybody but themselves. It would be hard for even Jesus to forgive you.

[The American Lesion]

Jessica A wrote:

<quoted text>
He's a heck of a lot better than a president who has played golf more than he's spoken to our generals. No wonder he doesn't know what he's doing.

You are talking about w right?

[White Collar Crime]

Generals Speak Out Against Rumsfeld
DoD Determines US Foreign Policy, PERIOD!!! Congress is SUPERFLUOUS!!! The only thing to FEAR, is NOT ENOUGH FEAR.

"We went to war with a flawed plan that didn't account for the hard work to build the peace after we took down the regime. We also served under a secretary of defense who didn't understand leadership, who was abusive, who was arrogant, who didn't build a strong team."
-- Retired Army Maj. Gen. John Batiste.

"My sincere view is that the commitment of our forces to this fight was done with a casualness and swagger that are the special province of those who have never had to execute these missions -- or bury the results."
-- Retired Marine Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold.

"They only need the military advice when it satisfies their agenda. I think that's a mistake, and that's why I think he should resign."
-- Retired Army Maj. Gen. John Riggs.

"We grow up in a culture where accountability, learning to accept responsibility, admitting mistakes and learning from them was critical to us. When we don't see that happening it worries us. Poor military judgment has been used throughout this mission."
-- Retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni, former chief of U.S. Central Command.

"I really believe that we need a new secretary of defense because Secretary Rumsfeld carries way too much baggage with him.... I think we need senior military leaders who understand the principles of war and apply them ruthlessly, and when the time comes, they need to call it like it is."
-- Retired Army Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack.

"He has shown himself incompetent strategically, operationally and tactically, and is far more than anyone responsible for what has happened to our important mission in Iraq.... Mr. Rumsfeld must step down."
-- Retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton.

Perfect security is Not attainable at any price!!!
STAR WARS & other MISSILE DEFENSE for a Trillion Dollars may stop 8 atomic war heads, but 2 will still hit their mark.

What can be achieved besides mutually assured destruction, is BANKRUPTING the US TREASURY.
-- Retired Army General Wesley K. Clark, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!

[White Collar Crime]

General Speaks Out on Iraq
http://tinyurl.com/29d7r8

Mr. President, you did not listen, General Batiste says in new television advertisements being broadcast in Republican Congressional districts as part of a $500,000 campaign financed by http://www.votevets.org You continue to pursue a failed strategy that is breaking our great Army and Marine Corps. I left the Army in protest in order to speak out. Mr. President, you have placed our nation in peril. Our only hope is that Congress will act now to protect our fighting men and women.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/13/us/13genera...

General Eaton's Letter to President Bush on Veto
May 1, 2007 http://tinyurl.com/2umrln

Dear Mr. President,
Today, in your veto message regarding the bipartisan legislation just passed on Operation Iraqi Freedom, you asserted that you so decided because you listen to your commanders on the ground.
Respectfully, as your former commander on the ground, your administration did not listen to our best advice. In fact, a number of my fellow Generals were forced out of their jobs, because they did not tell you what you wanted to hear -- most notably General Eric Shinseki, whose foresight regarding troop levels was advice you rejected, at our troops' peril. http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/11973

America's Angriest General John Batiste
http://tinyurl.com/2jjohc May 10, 2007

Retired two-star Army Gen. John Batiste is lashing out at the Bush war in Iraq in ads targeting key Republicans up for re-election in 2008. His offensive may change the rules regarding civilian-military relations.

"Mr. President, you did not listen," he says. "You continue to pursue a failed strategy that is breaking our Army and Marine Corps."
The ad is scheduled to air from May 10 to 18, targeting Republican Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), John Sununu (New Hampshire), John Warner (Virginia) and Norm Coleman (Minnesota), and 10 GOP House members, including Mary Bono, Phil English, Randy Kuhl, Jim Walsh and Heather Wilson.
http://blythe-systems.com/pipermail/nytr/Week...

[calvin]

We were attacked by Saudis hiding in Afghanistan on 9-11-2001. Dick Cheney promptly goes to war with Iraq while the Saudis who attacked us still run free in the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

This guy is the architect of the greatest foreign policy disaster of the last 100 years and he won't sit down and shut up because too many right wing nuts don't have the courage or intelligence to treat him like the failure he is.

[Whatever]

To all the republicans in the house. Foremost, I am not a big fan of Obama, or any president in the recent past. Really, all positicians in general. TO all of you that talk bad about these generals speaking out and saying that they are not warriors are truly unamerican. There was another general that diagreed with the W administration. Remember Collen Powell? I guess that he is not patriotic too? These men and women commanders are true americans because they are speaking the mind of a "hands on" commander of our troops in a war. W and his adminisrtation planned and fought the war without the advice of our generals in theatre. If they didn't agree with them they were removed. Being a former Marine, I would find it hard to believe that any general complaining about an administration has his or her future political strategies in mind. They are there to win a war. Wouldn't that be more of a political strategy for them. I am sure that Gen. Powell was put in his position for his role in Iraq1. Generals were not promoted because the administration would not advance them because of their scrutiny of the adminisrtations actions. If you have an idea of how promotions are handled at the general level you will understand it. Get on the internets and use that Google thing to see how general officers are promoted.

Semper FI

[vetinwbl]

really wrote:

leave it up to this rag to keep bringing up the evil mongers. they avoid things like the fraud of ACORN or Van Jones things that apply now instead they are selective in what they deem news. The will not report on the dems to be sure

Violating the Constitution is not soething that you let slide by and say whoops, Dick Chenny is coward in its lowest form, how anyone can call a man a PATRIOT after not answering the call for duty 5 times is beyond beleif.

[vetinwbl]

Bob the Bilderberg wrote:

There's a reason these guys are "retired." If you're not good enough to get promoted, they show you the door.
"Closing Guantanamo is of a strategic value," Taguba said. "Seeing people in orange jumpsuits and whatever have you creates such an excitement for people to be jihadists and terrorists ... It's not helping us."
This man is not a warrior and lacks the mindset necessary to engage the jihadists who only respect brutal strength.

Being ex army I am not sure of MARINES Chain of Command, but I do beleive the Highest rank in the MARINE CORPS is COMMANDANT, well beleive it or not a retired COMMANDANT of the MARINE CORPS has said CHENNY did nothing more then bring more Shame and disgrace unto this country. promotion

[White Collar Crime]

Powell tried to talk Bush out of war
July 8, 2007 / http://tinyurl.com/3bljem
THE former American secretary of state Colin Powell has revealed that he spent 2½ hours vainly trying to persuade President George W Bush not to invade Iraq and believes today’s conflict cannot be resolved by US forces.
“I tried to avoid this war,” Powell said at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado.“I took him through the consequences of going into an Arab country and becoming the occupiers.”
Powell has become increasingly outspoken about the level of violence in Iraq, which he believes is in a state of civil war.“The civil war will ultimately be resolved by a test of arms,” he said.“It’s not going to be pretty to watch, but I don’t know any way to avoid it. It is happening now.”
He added:“It is not a civil war that can be put down or solved by the armed forces of the United States.” All the military could do, Powell suggested, was put “a heavier lid on this pot of boiling sectarian stew”.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/u...

==========

Colin Powell Saying He Was Misled Before UN Speech on WMDs
http://tinyurl.com/6n9tg2
http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Powell Says US Should Not Have Invaded Iraq
http://tinyurl.com/6zdvju
http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Colin Powell: I would shut Guantanamo down this afternoon
http://tinyurl.com/5asdgd
http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Gen. Colin Powell - "I Tried To Avoid This War."
http://tinyurl.com/6ju6f9
http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice Tell The Truth About Iraq in Feb. July 2001 / Iraq was no threat to any country and contained
http://tinyurl.com/2fhgd8
http://www.youtube.com/watch...

[Whatever]

It is sure funny that the posters that are providing links and insight into the military are getting clueless and disagree replies. Well, for the people that disagree...POST SOMETHING THAT SUPPORTS YOUR REASONING. The highest ranking person in the Marine Corp is the Commadant of the Marine Corps. That would be a four star general. No more promotion after that. His time of service was up. For that matter, I would vote for any commadant or general that has served this country proudly for many years. Their insight into foreign affairs are much better than any ivy league career politician. Get some real americans in office. I guess that dissent makes you unamerican in this country. Even though the generals that are dissenting have done more for this country than any of the posters saying they are unamerican. Why don't you all join the Corps or the Army and face reality.
Semper FI

[Bob the Bilderberg]

Hey "Whatever:"

You're clueless. Former military officers who speak out against a commander-in-chief are giving aid and comfort to the enemy. We're in a war. You don't do that unless you want to hang. Buy a clue, moron.

And I bet you I served longer than you did, so stow that nonsense.

[White Collar Crime]

BUSH REPUBLICANS ARE UN-AMERICAN!

JUDGE AGREED PLAME WAS COVERT
Was She or Wasn't She?
Arguing that Libby deserves jail time, Fitzgerald says Plame was a covert agent.
http://tinyurl.com/2o9dvj May 29, 2007

In new court filings, special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald has finally resolved one of the most disputed issues at the core of the long-running CIA leak controversy: Valerie Plame Wilson, he asserts, was a “covert” CIA officer who repeatedly traveled overseas using a “cover identity” in order to disguise her relationship with the agency.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18927332/site/new...

==========

Doug Feith Cooked The Books For Bush
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/downloads/a...

Libby Says Bush Authorized Leaks
http://tinyurl.com/zgjtq April 6, 2006

Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff has testified that President Bush authorized him to disclose the contents of a highly classified intelligence assessment to the media to defend the Bush administration's decision to go to war with Iraq, according to papers filed in federal court [PDF] on Wednesday by Patrick J. Fitzgerald, the special prosecutor in the CIA leak case. http://news.nationaljournal.com/articles/0406...

==========

Libby judge 'perplexed' by clemency
His 30-month sentence was appropriate for the former Cheney aide, he writes in his first public comments on the issue.
July 13, 2007 http://tinyurl.com/2zduj8
WASHINGTON — In an unusual expression of frustration, the judge who sentenced former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby to 30 months in jail, only to see the sentence commuted by President Bush, said he was "perplexed" by the act of clemency.

In his first public comments on the matter, U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton took issue with Bush's statement that the prison sentence ordered for Libby last month was "excessive." Walton defended the sentence, saying that he followed established legal precedents as well as a strict interpretation of federal sentencing guidelines that has been supported by Bush's own administration.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/071307S.sht...

[White Collar Crime]

January 19, 2004 issue / The American Conservative
Open Door Policy
A strange thing happened on the way to the war.
By Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski / http://tinyurl.com/l3evg

Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski, a former Pentagon insider, concludes her observations on the run-up to the Iraq war in this last of a three-part series.
In my study of the neoconservatives, it was easy to find out whom in Washington they liked and whom they didn’t. They liked most of the Heritage Foundation and all of the American Enterprise Institute. They liked writers Charles Krauthammer and Bill Kristol. To find out whom they didn’t like, no research was required. All I had to do was walk the corridors and attend staff meetings. There were several shared prerequisites to get on the Neoconservative List of Major Despicable People, and in spite of the rhetoric hurled against these enemies of the state, most really weren’t Rodents of Unusual Size. Most, in fact, were retired from a branch of the military with a star or two or four on their shoulders. All could and did rationally argue the many illogical points in the neoconservative strategy of offensive democracy—guys like Brent Scowcroft, Barry McCaffrey, Anthony Zinni, and Colin Powell.

I was present at a staff meeting when Deputy Undersecretary Bill Luti called General Zinni a traitor. At another time, I discussed with a political appointee the service being rendered by Colin Powell in the early winter and was told the best service he could offer would be to quit. I heard in another staff meeting a derogatory story about a little Tommy Fargo who was acting up. Little Tommy was, of course, Commander, Pacific Forces, Admiral Fargo. This was shared with the rest of us as a Bill Luti lesson in civilian control of the military. It was certainly not civil or controlled, but the message was crystal.
http://www.amconmag.com/2004_01_19/article1.h...