Comments on: General Petraeus stands tall

By: micky2

micky2 — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:28:29 +0000

JMJ;
“Micky, Crocker is a liar. I don’t believe a word that oozes from his lizardy lips.’

That is beside the fact that you dont know the reality of the situation half as much as they do.
And unless you can actually back up your claim that he is a liar it is no more valid than your claim of a disconnect between the situation on Iraq and what Petraeus and Crocker testified.
You use a lot of words Jersey. But when its all put into context the only thing you are saying is that you think you know more about Iraq than Crocker or Petreaus.
Jeez, you’ve never even been to Iraq and you have the audacity to try and act as if you have any clue as to what the realities are.
Get over yourself and true meaningful debates and conversations will bloom buddy.

By: KG

KG — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:22:34 +0000

I think Peaches is adorable! I am gay for him.

-kg

By: Jersey McJones

Jersey McJones — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:55:57 +0000

Parrothead,

“As far as the cost of the war, much of that cost is poured directly into the US economy and far more effectively than through entitlement programs.”

This is not true. While it is interesting to see conservatives point to the Keynesian benefits of war, it is apparent that conservatives do not understand Keynesian theory in the fist place, which is perhaps why they have railed against it in all matters but war.

In most all respected cost/benefit analyses of wars, only WWII was “profitable” for America, and most of that had to do with financing European and Japanese reconstruction and the GI Bill. Please, read about this subject and get back to me if you can find info to the contrary. Lord knows I’ve tried, as I used to subscribe to your theory as well, but was disabused by researching the subject.

Micky, Crocker is a liar. I don’t believe a word that oozes from his lizardy lips.

JMJ

By: David M

David M — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:48:21 +0000

The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the - Web Reconnaissance for 04/10/2008 A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day…so check back often.

By: Eagle 6

Eagle 6 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:54:55 +0000

Parrothead - Thanks! In the early 70’s I was proud to be a Soldier, but other than support from my family and other Soldiers, it was a thankless profession. Today, I am humbled by the outpouring of support we get from the public - whether they agree with the GWOT or not. The aforementioned is a subject for another time, but please accept my thanks and the thanks of the many Soldiers who thrive on public support for our mission.

By: micky2

micky2 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:33:04 +0000

Jersey.
The reality of the situation on Iraq is the issue here, not your opinion of Crocker and Petreaus.
And I seriously doubt that you are as knowledgable of the realities in Iraq as they are.
Where you are wrong is in thinking that your personal opinion on these men somehow makes you and expert on situations in Iraq that you are not knowledgable of.
Just because you view the war in a certain manner does not gie you the platform to deem it reality for all of us. Especially for Crocker and Petreaus whos reality of the situation is a lot more concrete and substantial than yours.
So for you to say that their answers do not connect is only saying saying that they do not connect in accordance with your thinking.
It all ils down to the fact that you really said nothing

By: parrothead

parrothead — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 05:04:22 +0000

Eagle,

First of all and most important thank you for your service to the nation. Having people like you on the “pointy end of the spear” is what keeps us all free. Your comments are right on target and were said far better than I could.

Jersey,

For the record lets be honest and tell the truth about the hearings. As I said during the last post, the hearings (like all congressional hearings) were certainly a case of both sides playing politics and not really a fact finding event.

As far as the cost of the war, much of that cost is poured directly into the US economy and far more effectively than through entitlement programs. For example money spent on ordinance goes to a US manufacturer who employs people making that ordinance. A much more effective use of the money than bailing out mortgage companies. I am not saying that is a good reason to go to war, I am just saying the economic argument is overblown. The argument should be over the validity of the mission. If it is a valid mission the cost is irrelevant. If it is not a valid mission than any cost is too high.

By: Jersey McJones

Jersey McJones — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:37:34 +0000

Eagle, don’t worry about Petraeus. He’s fine. Think about Crocker. Follow the Crocker. I know you guys love generals, and so do I, but give it a rest. They don’t get to be generals for nothing, ya’ know. Should we expect less? I’m glad for the generals we have. Very glad. America has truly perfected war. Now, beyond war, please???

JMJ

By: Eagle 6

Eagle 6 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:19:21 +0000

Jersey, We may not be on the same page all the time, but at least we’re in the same book. I don’t do as much reading as I’d like - most of my arguments come from first hand experience and sharing information with subordinate, superiors, and peers. Again, these experiences don’t make me “more right” than anyone else morally, but they do make me more right politically!! Having said that, I’ve been careful of making “you liberal” comments, so I won’t take blame for being one of the “conservatives [who] portrayed these hearings as rabid liberals playing politics…”. Unfortunately, I have not been able to observe the hearings because I’ve been in training. I was able to read Petraeus’ testimony a couple hours ago, and I watched excerpts when at chow - Mr. Crocker does not seem comfortable in front of the camera, and I will give you a resounding “amen” to your observation that “our statesmenship, on the other hand, has been a failure.” I have been using different terminology - our Information Operations campaign has been terrible - both here and in Iraq - but a horse by another name…

By: Jersey McJones

Jersey McJones — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:09:25 +0000

Congratulations Eric! (I have no idea for what I’m congratulating you)
Eagle, I hear you loud and clear. Yes, Petraeus seems quite competent. That’s great. But as I’ve said before, there’s more to war than just generals.

Crocker was more telling in all these hearings. And remember, what “I’ve read” came from people over there just as much as anything you’ve read.

Crocker was throwing all sorts of rhetorical nonsense around these hearings. Petraeus, if anything, simply says “I don’t know” when he doesn’t. For that alone and among many things I like him. Crocker is another matter entirely. And you conservatives potrayed these hearings as rabid liberals playing politics with a decorated general, completely ignoring Crocker. Why? I know why. Crocker does not bring good news. Our military, as usual, has been just fine - our statesmenship, on the other hand, has been a failure.

Micky, I know enough about P&C to have a reasonable opinion. If you don’t like it, then show me where I’m wrong.

JMJ