Gates shows hurt over war deaths

[TechBear_Seattle]

Gates shows hurt over war deaths

The US defence secretary has revealed some of the pressure that the war in Iraq has been having on officials in the White House.

Robert Gates almost broke down as he gave a speech at a Marine Corps dinner.

The moment came as he described writing notes to the families of soldiers who had died in the conflict, calling them "our country's sons and daughters".

It was an unusual display of emotion from a senior official within the administration of George W Bush.

The story continues at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6907110.stm

I would like to believe his emotion is genuine, but he is after all a member of the Junta. I can't help but think of "Crocodile tears for the camera."

[youngdem]

1. Boo Hoo....Quit killing them then, prick!

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. My exact thought. n/t

[jillan]

3. I think he really cares.

For example, the troops have been trying to get MRAPs for over a year (from my sig line, you can tell this is my pet issue)
Biden took up their cause earlier this year. Nothing was getting done under Rumsfeld.

Biden sent a letter to Gates to investigate this, and it is finally happening. The soldiers are finally starting to get their vehicles.

Yes, he is a "bushy" but I think (hope) he has a heart.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. Anyone who serves in this maladministration...

Without revealing to The American People the truth about everything that is really occurring within this maladministration, every offense, every lie, and every corruption, deserves every white-hot femtosecond of psychological torture they bear.

May they start screaming and never stop again, as long as they draw breath.

[TwilightGardener]

5. Gates has a conscience. I don't think he's a bad guy.

[Captain Hilts]

6. No, I think he really cares. nt

[TechBear_Seattle]

7. But as Secretary of Defense, he is directly responsible for the deaths he laments

If he is so f-ing torn up about them, he should resign and denounce what is going on. By remaining at this post, he goes from being a person worthy of sympathy to a high ranking collaborator.

[Captain Hilts]

8. No, President Bush is. Gates acted quickly and effectively in reference to Walter Reed...

stuff and other personnel matters that Rumsfeld ignored.

President Bush decides where the troops go and how long they stay there, not Gates.

[TechBear_Seattle]

9. It is the SoD's job to implement the policies of the CoC

Gates, as the Secretary of Defense, has the choice either to implement the President's policies or resign. He choses to implement the President's policies, thus making himself responsible for the deaths. Despite what the Republicks want to believe, "I was only following orders" is not does not absolve anyone of responsibility for their own actions and choices.

[TwilightGardener]

10. Gates is in a tough job--while he's still under the Chimp's control,

and obviously has to have some loyalty to him, he also seems to be trying to keep Iraq from turning into an even BIGGER disaster, inheriting what he did from Rumsfeld.

[Captain Hilts]

11. The troops have a FAR better advocate in Gates than they had in Rumsfeld. nt