Reply #3: Cat, have you read this article in today's (Sunday's) Washington Post? [View All]

[VolcanoJen]

They're losing the Army, Catwoman. The f'in UNITED STATES ARMY is turning against them.

We are at the beginning of the end. It's hard news to read for those who love-love-love this war, but the best of news for those of us who want Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz gone, Bush unelected, and this horrific war to end. Where will the neocons turn, after Army officers have abandoned them?

It's an excellent article, and when you're finished, maybe you'll be able to sleep.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11227-2004May8.html

Dissension Grows In Senior Ranks On War Strategy
U.S. May Be Winning Battles in Iraq But Losing the War, Some Officers Say

Excerpt:

Inside and outside the armed forces, experts generally argue that the U.S. military should remain there but should change its approach. Some argue for more troops, others for less, but they generally agree on revising the stated U.S. goals to make them less ambitious. They are worried by evidence that the United States is losing ground with the Iraqi public.

Some officers say the place to begin restructuring U.S. policy is by ousting Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, whom they see as responsible for a series of strategic and tactical blunders over the past year. Several of those interviewed said a profound anger is building within the Army at Rumsfeld and those around him.

A senior general at the Pentagon said he believes the United States is already on the road to defeat. "It is doubtful we can go on much longer like this," he said. "The American people may not stand for it -- and they should not."

<snip>

Like several other officers interviewed for this report, this general spoke only on the condition that his name not be used. One reason for this is that some of these officers deal frequently with the senior Pentagon civilian officials they are criticizing, and some remain dependent on top officials to approve their current efforts and future promotions. Also, some say they believe that Rumsfeld and other top civilians punish public dissent. Senior officers frequently cite what they believe was the vindictive treatment of then-Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric K. Shinseki after he said early in 2003 that the administration was underestimating the number of U.S. troops that would be required to occupy postwar Iraq.