We now have definitive proof that criticizing the President's Iraq War failures and encouraging discussion of the
unprecedented criticism by retired General Officers of our nation's gigantic problems in Iraq
does not hurt our troops' morale.
The following occurred on May 17 at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the Defense Department Budget --
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace were responding to questions from Senator Arlen Specter. They both said criticism by former Generals and discussions of the Administration's policies does not hurt troop morale.
From the hearing (scroll ahead to 1:43:30):
Senator Specter: "Without getting into the substance of the comments or complaints by retired Generals: has there been any significant impact on the morale of the men and women in the Department of Defense because of those disagreements?"
(Thanks Arlen, that's the last thing we need in questions to the Defense Secretary: substance - B)
Secretary Rumsfeld: "I don't know that I...I haven't taken any polling or taken temperatures in that. I haven't noticed anything Ask General Pace, he's around all the time."
Senator Specter: "How about it, General Pace?"
General Pace: "Sir, certainly not within the building (good one, Petey - B). I'll reserve my comments [unintelligible]. General Hagee - is the most recent Joint Chief to come back from overseas. During his time this was all bubbling in the press. He received zero questions from any service member of any rank.
Sargent Major Gainey, who is the senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman travels all the time. And he comes back and reports back to me - as recently as last week - that in all of his travels and with as many people as he meets, not a single person has asked that question. So as far as morale of the force: no impact, Sir."
(Damn, making transcripts is a PITA - B)
Our troops are in Iraq dodging bullets and these guys think they can't handle a little criticism of their "leaders".
Our troops can handle criticism from retired Generals; in fact I'm sure many of them agree with that criticism.
And they can handle the poor plans, the lousy mission, and the incompetent leadership. Not all of them survive it, which is tragic beyond description. But they can all take a few words of wisdom from people they know have been there and done that. Unlike the loudmouths on the right who condemn such criticism.
Bonus link: Joint Chief interviews on winger radio shows. Wow, what a list. Did any of the hosts ask our military leaders if morale is hurt by criticism? I'm guessing no - B)
Now the question isn't do we believe Secretary Rumsfeld and General Pace. Many of the things they say are highly questionable. But they had no axe to grind on this, and actually could have taken the WATB talking point. They didn't. And we all know that Hannity and everyone else on the right believes every word spoken by these guys without question.
So now we know how the military feels about it. Will Sean Hannity and Bill Bennett and Bill O'Reilly and JC Watts and everyone else who lies about the patriotic discussion of our nation's security just shut the hell up about this?
Will they quit repeating their phony talking point, and will they quit calling traitors those who dare criticize their esteemed President?
Our troops can handle the truth. And this hearing was proof positive.