On October 12, 2006, General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of General Staff of the British Army, became the first major military leader of the mostly Anglo-American “coalition of the willing” in Iraq to publicly call for a withdrawal of occupying troops. He believes, and argues, that it’s time to get out to preserve the military, which is overstretched. The Iraq occupation is a failure; political leaders must realize it by now and act accordingly.
"I agree with every word," Prime Minister Tony Blair reportedly responded. Interesting response.
"I have got an army to look after,” Dannatt explained in clear English. “I want an army in five years' time and ten years' time. Don't let's break it on this one. Let's keep an eye on time. . . Time is money and time is soldiers' lives." Blair, of course, will be out of power next year; G.W. Bush will be out of power the year after that. The British and American armies will need refurbishing to meet other global threats, and that will take effort and time, something the next round of civilian leadership will have to address.
Large numbers of British soldiers have posted support for Dannatt’s observations on the interent.
“Most of us are sick to death of the weasel words of the various politicians, and it is quite refreshing to hear someone in a position of strong influence speaking his mind," wrote one.
A few even fantasize about a Thailand-like coup to clean out the rotten and inept politicians. Heaven forbid we've come to that. The ideal, of course, in both Britain and the USA, is not only a clear separation of church and state, but also civilian control of the military, not military control of civilians. Interesting times. Everything seems to be on the table these days.
Today's Rune: The Blank Rune.
Cheers, then!
2 comments:
General Dannatt is actually a devout Christian very much wanting to contain radical Islam. He wants to husband forces for other campaigns, such as in Afghanistan, where NATO is now in charge. Of course, Patton, if you'd like to be an Army of One, feel free to go to Iraq in person and fight your own eye for eye fight. You'd fit right in.
Oh, and Patton, take the Shrub's daughters into battle with you. I'm sure the Shrub's patriotism will allow it; afterall, we're winning right? And 2010 is just around the corner.
Excellent post, Erik.
Post a Comment