stevendedalus stevendedalus

Memo to the Troops

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Memo to the Troops

from JoeUser Forums

Why would you retain loyalty for a commander in chief that ordered you into a combat zone without sufficient protective gear?

Were you that naive to think that a war of choice had such urgency, equivalent to post Pearl Harbor, that you would forgive your leaders for lack of preparation and strategy?

Why hold Kerry hostage for not voting the $87 billion when you knew that appropriations were but an Administrative afterthought and political ploy, and would take months to implement, nor even now have you perceived its effects?

Is not this afterthought evidence enough that the administration and Pentagon deliberately sent you into harm’s way without the necessary numbers and combat equipment?

Have you no guilt that your presence in Iraq has preëmpted the support for your comrades in Afghanistan?

Are you still not questioning your commander in chief while you patrolled the streets of Baghdad in your “civilian” humvees lacking side armor?

Did you still feel comfortable in your body armor that could barely stop a sidearm bullet without the necessary ceramic component?

Are you not misleading your families when you echo your president that the situation is well in hand when you know it isn’t — especially when a recent survey states that two-thirds of military personnel and their families believe Bush underestimated the number of troops needed for your mission?

Are you that gung ho that you do not harbor the slightest resentment that the much heralded coalition is nowhere to be seen, tucked away in their enclaves?

Are you still convinced that Kerry, who had some combat experience, would not empathize with your combat needs and forge a strategic initiative designed to strengthen the front lines and end the war with honor?

Wouldn’t you rather have General Zinni or Wes Clark as your Defense Secretary or either one coaxed out of retirement for appointment as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs?

Is it not time to be honest with yourselves?

Copyright © 2004 Richard R. Kennedy All rights reserved. Revised: October 21, 2004.

http://stevendedalus.joeuser.com

politics
9,997 views 31 replies
Reply #26 from JoeUser Forums Top
I have to agree with drmiler on the sedition issue.
I did not see, anywhere in the "memo", any indication that its intent was to make you go vote for someone. Yes, it mentioned Kerry by name once. It also mentioned Bush, Wesley Clark, and several others who aren't running for president. I did not see the word "VOTE" anywhere.
What I did see was a bunch of leading questioned apparently designed to foment anger, discontent, and resentment, with a final call to "be honest with yourselves" which implies that you should acknowledge and act upon those feelings.
Reply #27 from JoeUser Forums Top
Well, I disagree with you drmiler. You cannot claim that military and foreign policy decisions affect you in the same way they affect an active duty soldier. While I have nothing but gratitude and appreciation for the faithful service you and Grim have both given, it's not you guys making the sacrifices and facing the danger today. There is a distinction.
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Reply #28 from PolMach Forums Top
Well, I disagree with you drmiler. You cannot claim that military and foreign policy decisions affect you in the same way they affect an active duty soldier. While I have nothing but gratitude and appreciation for the faithful service you and Grim have both given, it's not you guys making the sacrifices and facing the danger today. There is a distinction.


I have at least two close friends of mine over there now in Iraq, Jedziniak (US Army 11B with 101st ABN) and Voskoyan (US Marines Infantry), I have a couple of friends who have been over there, one was a Chemical Corp Sgt, who got to deal with a lot of things first hand, including lack of infantry support.
Reply #29 from JoeUser Forums Top

What I did see was a bunch of leading questioned apparently designed to foment anger, discontent, and resentment, with a final call to "be honest with yourselves" which implies that you should acknowledge and act upon those feelings.
Fair enough but it was clear that I was talking about reflections of the military.
Sorry Steve I forgot you where in the military meny years ago.
Accepted without malice.
Any experience that Kerry had gained during the Vietnam war matters less to me then the experience he got from denouncing the war while it still was going on in order to be elected to political office.
Nevertheless, he walked the walk, however short. I don't resent him just because I spent 22 months in the Pacific.
You may say Kerry's canned line about Osama escaping, but most soldiers believe we got him. The only thing we have heard from him is only one or two audio tape that could easily been made before then.
As I said in a recent blog, I'm tired of hearing Kerry bring up Tora Bora and I believe bin Laden is either dead or dying from kidney ailment, in either case he's been rendered ineffective.Notwithstanding, the elections--I praised it incidentally in a blog--the country is still overrun with warlords and terrorists. 

I repeat This has nothing whatever to do with sedition or encouraging insubordination--when you get orders you follow them loyally.

Reply #30 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sedition is a ridiculous claim! Asking these questions is obviously asking soldiers why they would consider voting for Bush, under the circunstances, and not Kerry? You guys are the ones that act as if they can not think on their own. As if even hearing these questions would be harmful. Shall I now expect to hear that stevendedalus has been hauled in for questioning?
Reply #31 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thjanks for coming to my aid, WF.