http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/08/24/conway-us-withdrawal-deadline-boosts-taliban-in-afghan-war/ (http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/08/24/conway-us-withdrawal-deadline-boosts-taliban-in-afghan-war/)
August 24, 2010, 1:58 PM ET
Conway: U.S. Withdrawal Deadline Boosts Taliban in Afghan War
The top U.S. Marine general in Afghanistan said President Barack Obama's announced July 2011 deadline to start withdrawing troops from the country had given "sustenance" to the Taliban.
"We know the president was talking to several audiences at the same time when he made his comments on July 2011," Gen. James Conway told reporters on Tuesday. "In some ways, we think right now it's probably giving our enemy sustenance....In fact, we've intercepted communications that say, 'Hey, you know, we only have to hold out for so long.'"
Conway, who recently returned from a trip to the region, said he expected Marines to remain on the ground in southern Afghanistan, the traditional stronghold for the Taliban, well after July 2011, though he himself is set to retire in the fall.
"I certainly believe that some American units somewhere in Afghanistan will turn over responsibilities to Afghanistan security forces in 2011, I do not think they will be Marines," he said.
The Marines form only one part of the 78,000-strong U.S. troop contingent, which is in turn part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, which includes some 120,000 troops from 47 nations. Marine operations are focused primarily on the southern provinces of Kandahar and Helmand Provinces, in Afghanistan's Pashtun heartland
Timing of the troop drawdown is a contentious political issue. When Obama announced a surge of 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan in December, he said the transfer of forces in mid-2011 would depend on conditions on the ground, including the ability of Afghan security forces to take over responsibility for security.
Conway said the Marines would continue to go after the Taliban, regardless of the 2011 deadline. "If you accept what I offered earlier as true, that Marines will be there ... after the middle of 2011, what's the enemy going to say then, you know?" he said.
And, of course, there is a perfect, bloodless way to extract yourself from Bush's war, isn't there. Got us into it, couldn't win it, couldn't get us out of it.
Left it to someone else to deal with it, like his other crappy ideas. Kinda like the giggle-snort "You betcha" girl.
And the general ought to keep his mouth shut about his opinions when he starts to criticize his commander-in-chief.
Quote from: followsthewolf on August 24, 2010, 03:22:02 PM
And, of course, there is a perfect, bloodless way to extract yourself from Bush's war, isn't there. Got us into it, couldn't win it, couldn't get us out of it.
Left it to someone else to deal with it, like his other crappy ideas. Kinda like the giggle-snort "You betcha" girl.
And the general ought to keep his mouth shut about his opinions when he starts to criticize his commander-in-chief.
I think the general is ready for retirement or a court marshal.
Quote from: followsthewolf on August 24, 2010, 03:22:02 PM
And the general ought to keep his mouth shut about his opinions when he starts to criticize his commander-in-chief.
These generals seem to be confused about how our military's command structure works.
Quote from: Exterminator on August 25, 2010, 10:17:27 AM
These generals seem to be confused about how our military's command structure works.
I'm sure he is not confused, and know exactly how the structure works....
Quote from: Henry Hawk on August 25, 2010, 10:21:33 AM
I'm sure he is not confused, and know exactly how the structure works....
I wouldn't expect someone who had never served to understand regimentation but no, a general has no more right to question or openly criticize the decisions of his superiors than a colonel working for that general has a right to second guess his. He is guilty of insubordination under the UCMJ.
Quote from: Exterminator on August 25, 2010, 10:33:42 AM
I wouldn't expect someone who had never served to understand regimentation but no, a general has no more right to question or openly criticize the decisions of his superiors than a colonel working for that general has a right to second guess his. He is guilty of insubordination under the UCMJ.
I'm sure he knows this too....I think it don't take a person like yourself to make him understand this....he know exactly what he said, and the ramifications of it.
for the record, I don't agree with him either........I just posted the article.
I stand corrected; this isn't insubordination, it's contempt toward officials.
UCMJ Article 88 - Contempt toward officials
"Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."
(1) That the accused was a commissioned officer of the United States armed forces;
(2) That the accused used certain words against an official or legislature named in the article;
(3) That by an act of the accused these words came to the knowledge of a person other than the accused; and
(4) That the words used were contemptuous, either in themselves or by virtue of the circumstances under which they were used.
Maximum punishment.
Dismissal, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 1 year.
and I know for a fact, he is aware of this.....I bet he has a copy or two
Then he should be prepared to be demoted, lose his retirement and be locked up...unless, of course, he's like our cops in IMPD and thinks he should be above the rules he expects everyone else to follow.
Quote from: Exterminator on August 25, 2010, 11:34:47 AM
Then he should be prepared to be demoted, lose his retirement and be locked up...unless, of course, he's like our cops in IMPD and thinks he should be above the rules he expects everyone else to follow.
Who says he is not prepared?.......the man know all about battles and the ramifications of his actions....he has been willing to lay his life on the line for his career, maybe this is a battle he has choosen....
Name the last general who died in combat.
Quote from: Exterminator on August 25, 2010, 12:03:16 PM
Name the last general who died in combat.
Gen Keith Ware....was killed on September 13, 1968 as his command helicopter crashed in flames near the Cambodian border during the Vietnam War.
there you happy?
who said anything about this marine dying?...I just stated he may be choosing a battle he feels is important.
Here's the thing about regimentation...he doesn't get that choice. Now stop blowing smoke up our asses telling us that you don't agree with what he did with one breath then defending him with the next.
Quote from: Exterminator on August 25, 2010, 12:21:12 PM
Here's the thing about regimentation...he doesn't get that choice. Now stop blowing smoke up our asses telling us that you don't agree with what he did with one breath then defending him with the next.
I'm not defending him, I'm just pointing out your "intolerance"....you bigot.
Quote from: Exterminator on August 25, 2010, 12:21:12 PM
Here's the thing about regimentation...he doesn't get that choice. Now stop blowing smoke up our asses telling us that you don't agree with what he did with one breath then defending him with the next.
How much of your life and time did you give to your country in military uniform. 2 years, 3 years, 4 years or more. Where did you enlist and where did you spend your time.
You seem to know about the military, was it first hand. :biggrin:
Quote from: The Troll on August 25, 2010, 12:40:56 PM
How much of your life and time did you give to your country in military uniform. 2 years, 3 years, 4 years or more. Where did you enlist and where did you spend your time.
You seem to know about the military, was it first hand. :biggrin:
Yes, it is first hand and my knowledge of the UCMJ comes from having served as an MP in the 3rd AD.
Quote from: Exterminator on August 25, 2010, 12:55:59 PM
Yes, it is first hand and my knowledge of the UCMJ comes from having served as an MP in the 3rd AD.
Sorry Exterminator, the post about time spent in service was meant for Henry. Not you, I know you were in and I can tell by the way your right. You got to spend some time in boot camp and in service to know what it's like. You can't read it out of a book. :thumbsup: