"Most U.S. troops will leave Iraq within a year because the Army is "broken, worn out" and "living hand to mouth," Rep. John Murtha told a civic group."
http://cbs5.com/nationalpolitics/politicsnational_story_335101047.html
Navy Pride, this may come as a shock to you but I agree on this one. I think Murtha went too far in making his point here, and he didn't consider the propoganda victory that saying something like this would be for the terrorists and insurgents. We need to break their will to fight, not bolster it. I can imagine hearing that your enemy is broken and worn out is quite encouraging to this insurgency, especially since we know their strategy is to wear us down in an unwinnable political war like Viet Nam, and Murtha is confirming their success with those particular words. He needs to think about that next time.
But I do not agree that war is a blank check for the President to do whatever he wants without criticism, for fear it will "aid the enemy." We should not forget our obligation as Americans to criticize the government whenever necessary and appropriate, especially during war when decisions are most costly. We should never stop criticizing the government just because it's wartime. I can think of nothing more un-American than the notion that we should run lock-step into war and not criticize a single decision the President makes along the way.
Also consider that in general, Middle Easterners follows American politics more closely than many Americans do, since they are affected so much by us, so I'm sure they're just as accustomed to our partisan bickering as we are. Just because there is opposition in the government doesn't necessarily mean it actually encourages them.
But a line should be drawn. I agree with you that Murtha crossed that line when he called our troops "broken" and "warn out." However I don't believe he crossed that line here:
"Murtha, a decorated Vietnam war veteran, said the Pennsylvania National Guard is "stretched so thin" that it won't be able to send fully equipped units to Iraq next year. Murtha predicted it will cost $50 billion to upgrade military equipment nationwide, but says the federal government is already reducing future purchases to save money."
Do you think he's aiding the enemy by telling them we don't have enough money to equip them properly? I don't think so, but maybe you do. I think that illustrates how gray this issue is, deciding whether or not criticizing the government during war is patriotic or treasonous. For me, it comes down to whether or not it actually DOES help the insurgents in some way, more than it helps America for our government to publically debate the administration's tactics. We'll borrow money from friends in other countries if we need to, they aren't going to bankrupt us any time soon.
Kerry did not call the military terrorists! That is a molestation of the English language. Tell me how this is any different than what Kerry said:
"And there is no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night,
scaring kids and children, you know, women, breaking sort of the customs of the - of - the historical customs, religious customs."
That says EXACTLY the same thing. Even if you substitute the word 'soldiers' for 'troops' it's still EXACTLY the same thing. Terrorism is the use of terror and intimidation to gain political advantage.
But not everything that terrorizes you is a terrorist. Unless you also believe the move Jaws is a terrorist, I know that movie terrorized the crap out of me! Kerry pointed out the troops are scaring Iraqi kids, presumably when they have to sweep and clear urban areas. You're making the assumption Kerry meant the troops are doing it on purpose, and that's a HUGE assumption that has no basis or merit.
Did you mean he said we
can't win? Dean said, "The idea that we're going to win the war in Iraq is an idea that unfortunately is just plain wrong." I don't know what he meant by "win" but I think victory is possible if the right decisions are made. I think we should SLOWLY start relocating troops to Kuwait, starting with the rural areas. Watch the place like a hawk for any sign of an uprising that the Iraqi government can't handle, and be ready to move back to Iraq within 12 hours if it comes to that. The Iraq government wants a timetable, most of the people want us out now, the insurgency won't stop as long as U.S. troops are there, so why is it not it a good time to start pulling out? Victory is a stable Iraq maintaining its own democracy and all of our troops home ASAP. I think we can achieve that, the only question is when.
