Full Version: President Bush at His Very Best! NOT!
"Q As you know, a growing number of troops are on their second, third or fourth tour in Iraq. There have been a growing number of reports about declining morale among fighting men. I spoke personally to an infantry commander -- tough guy, patriot -- who says more and more of the troops are asking, questioning what they're doing here. Does this come as a surprise to you? Are you aware of this? Is it a minority opinion, is it a growing opinion, and does it concern you?
THE PRESIDENT: I am -- what I hear from commanders is that the place where there is concern is with the family members; that our troops, who have volunteered to serve the country, are willing to go into combat multiple times, but that the concern is with the people on the home front. And I can understand that. And I -- and that's one reason I go out of my way to constantly thank the family members. You know, I'm asking -- you're obviously talking to certain people, or a person. I'm talking to our commanders."
MY QUESTION: If there is anybody "out there" who has family, or friends serving in Iraq, does this type of an answer from our President make you feel worried or unsure? So the problem is now the families of our troops?
THE PRESIDENT: I am -- what I hear from commanders is that the place where there is concern is with the family members; that our troops, who have volunteered to serve the country, are willing to go into combat multiple times, but that the concern is with the people on the home front. And I can understand that. And I -- and that's one reason I go out of my way to constantly thank the family members. You know, I'm asking -- you're obviously talking to certain people, or a person. I'm talking to our commanders."
MY QUESTION: If there is anybody "out there" who has family, or friends serving in Iraq, does this type of an answer from our President make you feel worried or unsure? So the problem is now the families of our troops?
I have two friends who have been to Iraq. One has been over twice. Some reservists are not happy with the interruption in their careers. This is to be expected, but when you sign up and get the college money you need to be aware that the other side of the coin is you could be called up. Marines in general, from what I have heard are less concerned about being sent back, if fact many will go back 2 or 3 times to stay with the war or the unit.
No president likes to send men to war, or redeploy. That is one reason that a bigger Army and Marine Corps is almost sure to be the result.
I have heard none question why they were there. I have no doubt that some have questioned the mission as in any war. We have the best army in the world and we need to support them, so that they can win this war and get back home.
No president likes to send men to war, or redeploy. That is one reason that a bigger Army and Marine Corps is almost sure to be the result.
I have heard none question why they were there. I have no doubt that some have questioned the mission as in any war. We have the best army in the world and we need to support them, so that they can win this war and get back home.
MY QUESTION: If there is anybody "out there" who has family, or friends serving in Iraq, does this type of an answer from our President make you feel worried or unsure? So the problem is now the families of our troops?
The guy I know going over there for another tour of duty, or deployment, or however the current jargon goes for this sort of thing, is a coworker. We're friendly but not friends at a level where what I think about it means much. Others who are closer simply don't say anything that might be negative. I go along with the program, just don't say anything if I can't be positive.
I'm not feeling worried or unsure about what President Bush says. He's soon to retire and I've always been sure that he's not a very good politician. I am worried about my coworker the same way I worry about anyone I know doing risky things like driving on the freeway, climbing a ladder or entering a bathroom. I'm pretty sure that what President Bush says these days doesn't reassure anyone.
Of course the families of our soldiers worry. That's news? I guess so, but the President's answer is no surprise. It's like asking someone what they feel about a situation in which they're involved, such as, "Your house burned down to the ground, and now you have nothing but the shirt on your back. How's that make you feel?" Heh, it'd make me feel like flipping the bird. Seems the President is past this stage.
The guy I know going over there for another tour of duty, or deployment, or however the current jargon goes for this sort of thing, is a coworker. We're friendly but not friends at a level where what I think about it means much. Others who are closer simply don't say anything that might be negative. I go along with the program, just don't say anything if I can't be positive.
I'm not feeling worried or unsure about what President Bush says. He's soon to retire and I've always been sure that he's not a very good politician. I am worried about my coworker the same way I worry about anyone I know doing risky things like driving on the freeway, climbing a ladder or entering a bathroom. I'm pretty sure that what President Bush says these days doesn't reassure anyone.
Of course the families of our soldiers worry. That's news? I guess so, but the President's answer is no surprise. It's like asking someone what they feel about a situation in which they're involved, such as, "Your house burned down to the ground, and now you have nothing but the shirt on your back. How's that make you feel?" Heh, it'd make me feel like flipping the bird. Seems the President is past this stage.
If there is anybody "out there" who has family, or friends serving in Iraq, does this type of an answer from our President make you feel worried or unsure? So the problem is now the families of our troops?
Bush's answer doesn't surprise me, nor does the sentiments of the families. Families usually take deployments and multiple deployments harder than the servicemember does. Spouses expect them, but the more 'civilian' family members often do not understand why re-occurring deployments happen.
I have no answer that would assuage families, but I know exactly what would raise troop morale. It's not the act of deploying that bothers most soldiers in the Army, it's deploying for an entire year (and in some cases, longer). Lower Army deployment lengths to that of the Marine Corps (6-9 months) and though there may be more deployments overall, the stress level will go down among soldiers.
If soldiers are happier, families will be also.
Bush's answer doesn't surprise me, nor does the sentiments of the families. Families usually take deployments and multiple deployments harder than the servicemember does. Spouses expect them, but the more 'civilian' family members often do not understand why re-occurring deployments happen.
I have no answer that would assuage families, but I know exactly what would raise troop morale. It's not the act of deploying that bothers most soldiers in the Army, it's deploying for an entire year (and in some cases, longer). Lower Army deployment lengths to that of the Marine Corps (6-9 months) and though there may be more deployments overall, the stress level will go down among soldiers.
If soldiers are happier, families will be also.
It's unfortunate Bush had to make yet another statement which flies against the face of reason. Experience. That's the key word.
Yet none (read: NONE) of his blood are willing to shed their own.
http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/analysis/185
Let's ignore how Bush said he speaks to the commanders and the reporter speaks only to lowly GI's...even though the question pertained to what a commander said.
Short form:
Reporter: A commander in Iraq told me the troops have low morale over what they're even doing in Iraq.
President Bush: That's not true. You're speaking to certain people, or a single person. I'm speaking with commanders.
Yet I feel, for some reason, most Americans won't even be phased by such a ridiculous comment by their commander-in-chief.
QUOTE
the concern is with the people on the home front. And I can understand that
Yet none (read: NONE) of his blood are willing to shed their own.
http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/analysis/185
Let's ignore how Bush said he speaks to the commanders and the reporter speaks only to lowly GI's...even though the question pertained to what a commander said.
Short form:
Reporter: A commander in Iraq told me the troops have low morale over what they're even doing in Iraq.
President Bush: That's not true. You're speaking to certain people, or a single person. I'm speaking with commanders.
Yet I feel, for some reason, most Americans won't even be phased by such a ridiculous comment by their commander-in-chief.This is a simplified version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.