We say lots of things, davad, but when push comes to shove we often do something altogether different. The poll information should perhaps be taken by the brass for what it's worth and factored into their command decisions in some way, I suppose, as it relates to the potential need for boosting morale, but if Patton or Bradley or Montgomery had relied on such information in their decision-making in prosecuting the war, the outcome of WWII might have been considerably different.
And without meaning to be too callous about it, in a way it is irrelevant information. Even the HooAh stuff. For better or worse, our troops volunteered to do a job when called upon. A tough, demanding job, one that could get them killed. A job we should all be grateful and thankful to them for accepting. Given the physical and emotional stresses placed upon soldiers in the midst of a hot war, especially in an environment like Iraq, I'm not sure of the usefulness of this kind of poll information, except as it relates to the support the line command can provide them. We owe a great debt to all who serve and we should never dismiss out of hand the perspective or opinions of our soldiers in harm's way - but I don't believe we should play politics with those opinions, either. Furthermore, it is up to the line command to lead, regardless of the misgivings or personal opinions of the troops under command, and to accomplish the mission, whether because of or in spite of the morale of the troops.
