Earlier this week, Iraqi leaders issued a statement calling for a timetable for U.S. withdrawal - one of the most telling parts of the statement read:
we condemn terrorism and acts of violence, killing and kidnapping targeting Iraqi citizens and humanitarian, civil, government institutions, national resources and houses of worships...
Meanwhile, Dick "had other priorities during the Vietnam War" Cheney says that Murtha and other critics are demoralizing our soldiers. Rummy agrees - "Put yourself in the shoes of the American soldiers, who are losing lives and losing limbs, and [who] believe that it is a noble cause -- which it is -- believe they're making progress, believe we will prevail."
So, what's the reaction of the troops to the calls for withdrawal and their omission from the list of targets condemned by the Iraqi government?
Biran Van Reet, an Iraq War veteran who served with the 1st Cav in Baghdad last year, writes:
It seems as though the Sunni, Shiite, and Kurdish factions were able to quit their bickering long enough to agree on at least one thing-- the US needs to go...
The Iraqi government is implying that those who target US troops (and even its own security forces) represent legitimate resistance, as long as they don't target civilians or civil institutions. The not so subtle message is, "Fuck you America. We don't want you here, but we'll continue to use your children's blood to do the job that our people don't have the heart for."
I say we give them what they want-- sooner, rather than later...
Another blogger, >Democratic Veteran sounds off:
Holy Crap...now that the Iraqi government has declared open season on Americans (and any furriners) in Iraq, life is about to get more miserable than ever in Mess O'Potamia...no shitsky.
I guess that the 1600 Crew has managed, through their whole lack of foreign policy, prior planning or understanding the dynamics of the use of force on a global scale, to paint a target on the back of every American Soldier in Iraq. Great job guys.
It's interesting to see the MSM doing interviews with guys who have returned from Iraq who say that we should stay and "finish the job". I wonder how this will change their perspective. The Iraqi Government, in seeking to attempt to minimize casualties among their countrymen in a war they don't support have given cart blanche to the "evil-doers" to kill everyone else. I guess that none of the brilliant NeoCon Asshats ever heard of the Law of Unintended Consequences...
How's that Strong on National Security thing working out for you now, Ken Mehlman et al? Nice job with the target affixing thing...Asshats.
Over at Operation Truth, Paul Rieckoff writes:
A healthy debate about how and when America should get out of Iraq is now underway in America. Better late than never. The catalyst for this new dialogue is the courageous Congressman John Murtha.
It is perfectly reasonable (and extremely vital) that America discuss and debate the merits of Murtha's proposed plan for withdrawl.
However, some critics have attacked Murtha on the validity of his statements about what is really happening inside Iraq. Statements like, "We cannot win this militarily. Our tactics themselves keep us from winning."
Do you think Murtha is wrong about how things are going in Iraq? Do you feel he is exaggerating what our military is really up against in Iraq? Well, let me give you something to think about.
Recently, I got an email from a very close buddy of mine currently serving as an officer in Ramadi, Iraq. He speaks with a candor and level of frustration that you won't hear from the Generals regurgitating White House talking points on TV. Check this out:
Paul,
I wish I had the time or energy or memory capacity to describe to you how wrong this whole thing has gone. It's just as you described it a couple years ago. We can make a difference here, and i believe in the mission as it looks on paper. But your president and his brain-dead colleagues aren't even trying to give us what we need to do it. the add-on armor HMMWVs are a joke. The terrorists target them b/c they know they offer no protection. The M1114s have good armor, but every time we lose one (i had one blown up monday, driver had his femoral artery cut -- will recover fully -- b/c there apparently is no armor or very weak armor under the pedals) it's impossible to replace them. So now I have to send yet another add-on armored vehicle outside the wire daily. The M1114s also have certain mechanical defects, known to the manufacturer, for which there is apparently no known fix. For example, on some of them (like mine) if it stalls or you turn it off, you cannot restart it if the engine is hot. We have to dump 3 liters of cold water on a solenoid in order to start it again. Not that much fun when your vehicle won't start in indian country. I wonder if DoD is getting a refund for the contract. Speaking of contracts, KBR is a joke. I can't even enumerate the problems with their service, but I guarantee they do not receive less money based on how many of the showers don't work, or how many of us won't eat in the chow hall often because we get sick every time we do.
There is so much. I could go on forever. the worst thing, which we have discussed, is that they are playing these bullshit numbers games to fool America about troop strength. If they stopped paying KBR employees $100,000 to do the job of a $28,000 soldier, maybe they'd have enough money to send us enough soldiers to do the job. As it stands we have no offensive capability in the most dangerous city on earth. General Shinseki should write an Op/Ed that basically says, "I told you so." Idiots.
Where are the AC-130s? The apaches? They have them in FAR less active AOs (areas of operations). All we ever get is a single Huey and Cobra team, both of which are older than I am. it's such a joke. They're not even trying. At all. They have apaches in Tikrit but Hueys in Ramadi.
I wish every american could see this for him/herself. Registering your frustration at the ballot box isn't nearly enough. There should be jail terms for this.
Also at Operation Truth, another vet, Timothy Anderson, responds to the argument "damage" to America's image that would result from withdrawal from Iraq:
Y'know maybe that bit about the U.S.'s self-confidence getting damaged is worth looking into. Maybe some things in this American life are worth fighting for, maybe Iraq is NOT one of them.
Andrew Borene writes specifically about Jean Schmidt and her fascist rant on the floor of the House:
I wrote in earlier that
Marine Colonels make their own public statements, not anonymous phone calls to whiny Congresswomen. Looks like I was definitely right.
I am sure that Colonel Danny R. Bubp (who is a socially conservative Republican member of the Ohio house of representatives) puts his respect for his fellow Marines ahead of partisan politics and that is why he came forward. In lieu of the dribble from Rep. Schmidt's office do some research on Colonel Bubp's politics and military history.
Rep. Schmidt can refer to Marine Generals (and former Central Command CINCs) Zinni and Hoar to know that Marines aren't silent tipsters... they tell it like it is, claim their remarks, and work to improve the situation. I would also urge her to look into the recent remarks about Iraq from former Secretary of the Navy and another proud Marine, James Webb.
This is just the beginning of the end of the myth that a new Republican chickenhawk base supports our troops. As veterans, we'll all have to lean on moderate Republicans and Democrats to ensure that they listen when combat leadership speaks in the future.
Incidentally I got this email from another veteran the day Schmidt made the remarks:
"Remember the Republican who narrowly beat Paul Hackett in the special election in Ohio a few months ago? She's just distinguished herself as the Iraq war's Jane Fonda.
I'm incensed. I am so freakin' angry right now, I swear if this Jean Schmidt were within arm's reach I'd pop her head like a pimple."
Rob Timmons, a veteran who served in Iraq, praises Rep. Murtha:
So let's see here, Rep. John Murtha, a distinguished veteran who was awarded not one but two purple hearts for wounds received in combat is being called a coward. Hmmm...because he actually travels to Iraq at least every 6 months to listen to commanders, sergeants, and lower enlisted to take the pulse of the continual debacle that is Operation Iraqi Freedom. Each and every American should be proud to have John Murtha as a Representitive in congress because of his candor and honest support of our nation's military. Rep. Jean Schimdt's comments about John Murtha are perhaps the most outlandish i've ever heard. Has Rep. Schimdt ever served in our nation's military, let alone in war? Has Rep. Schimdt ever travelled to Iraq to speak to the troops serving in the Sunni Triangle? I suspect not. As one who served in Iraq, I find Rep. Schimdt's comments to have absolutely no merit. I find myself proud to have someone like Rep. Murtha speak out for my interests as well as the interests of the 400,000+ troops that rotate in and out of Iraq on multiple tours of duty.
Jeremy Lewis, another Iraq vet, also expresses outrage at the attacks on Murtha:
Well, the actions of Jean Schmidt, (R OH) are no real surprise to me. Sure, I was pretty upset with what she said, but I wasn't at all surprised that it was said. I wish that I could say that this act surprised me. But in the times we live in, I wasn't surprised at all.
I knew it was a matter of time, before one of the "uber patriots" turned on John Murtha, in the same manner that they attacked John McCain, John Kerry and Max Clelland. If you don't agree with their message, and usually the one letter that they have procured that backs them up 100% then it is time to attack them. Usually, they attack patriotisim. On April 14th, 1775, a man named Samuel Johnson said, and I quote "Patriotisim, is the last refuge of a scoundrel." And we see it today, more than at any other time in American history. We have men,and women who never thought that their country was worth fighting for attacking those that did fight for it. They brandish their hate and contempt for others who do not agree with them. When they are confronted, they tell others to "Move to France." When they are confronted with reality, they choose to ignore the message, and attack the messenger.
These people show no shame whatsoever. They openly criticize someone who has been in the thick of the fight and call him a coward, when they have never known the haze of battle. When they themselves have never had to watch a 18 year old kid stare down his or her own mortality. They have never seen the effects of being in danger for months on end. They don't understand that after so many close calls, that people do develop a fear of darkness. They have never seen someone loose their will to go on fighting and throw their hands up and say "Fuck it." They've never seen the look on someones face as the mortar round goes off. They've never had to get up knowing full well that today, may be your last day on earth. How many times have they themselves ever thought, "Is this the last Coke I will ever drink." Or is this the last meal I will ever eat." How many times have they been on a phone, and heard a friend try to explain to their family, or their friends that they are safe and will be ok. when they themselves don't even believe it as they say it. Have they ever heard a radio call for help,and heard the dreaded, "2WIA, 1 KIA." Have they ever seen a truck carrying a dead troop off to the morgue? Have they seen that lump and those boots sticking out? Have they ever had to look at the widow and say "I'm sorry." No. They get their war stories from the TV where it is all censored, all clean and neatly wrapped up. They don't know the feelings, because they didn't think that their own country was worth the sacrifice of it's defense. I am reminded of "The Caine Mutiny." In which after the courts martial of the XO, his lawyer, Barney Greenwald, after a few drinks lashes out at the members of the Caine for destroying a career Naval Officer. He says "Who was it defending this country all those years, it was men like Queeg. Not us, we knew that you couldn't make any money in the service. It was men like Queeg who did the dirty work for us."
So in closing I say to Congressman Schmidt, sure, be a big patriot and attack John Murtha and anyone else that doesn't agree with you. You should know what a coward is. Either from first hand knowledge. Or from association. Follow the example of the President, who called anyone who disagrees with the war "Unpatriotic." Show us all how big your mouth is. And how empty your head is. You and your ilk are proving that after over two hundred years... Patriotisim, truly is the last resort of a scoundrel.
Reading through the gospel according to Jesus' General, I came across this snazzy new magnetic ribbon that might be worthy of my new ride:
Quote of the day, from one of my favorite Dems:
"I think we're dealing with the most closed, imperialistic, nastiest administration in living memory. They even put Richard Nixon to shame."
General Wesley Clark