Army recruiting shortfall blamed on Iraq war critics

Army recruit shortfall blamed on Iraq war critics

"Jun 2005 21:03:23 GMT
"Source: Reuters
"By Vicki Allen
"WASHINGTON, June 30 (Reuters) - Several Senate Republicans denounced other lawmakers and the news media on Thursday for unfavorable depictions of the Iraq war and the Pentagon urged members of Congress to talk up military service to help ease a recruiting shortfall. Families are discouraging young men and women from enlisting "because of all the negative media that's out there," Sen. James Inhofe, an Oklahoma Republican, said at a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Inhofe also said that other senators' criticism of the war contributed to the propaganda of U.S. enemies. He did not name the senators.

"Army Chief of Staff Peter Schoomaker urged members of Congress to use "your considerable influence to explain to the American people and to those that are influencers out there how important it is for our young people to serve this nation at a time like this."


I see! So now it's our fault that no one wants to sign up for US military service in Iraq!!!

Jeez. I deeply apologize if I cannot support a war that we're all but guaranteed to lose; that was and is illegal; that is creating more enemies than I can count; that was started based on a pack of lies, a foundation of misdirection, and a firm disconnect with reality; and for which no reliable information is ever provided.

Dear Mr. Bush, Mr. Rumsfeld, Mr. Powell, Ms. Rice, Mr. Wolfowitz, and Mr. Cheney: I hate to say I told you so, but for some inexplicable reason, I that's the best I can do.

-John Locke

Saddam Hussein and the Kangaroo Kourt

I will never believe that Saddam was a good guy. However, the phrase "kangaroo court" comes to mind when I read this...

"The judge in Saddam's trial, Raid Juhi, told the London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper in an interview that the ousted president and some of the 11 other detained former regime figures are facing "12 cases" carrying punishments from life in jail to the death penalty.

"The ousted president has suffered a collapse in his morale because he understands the extent of the charges against him and because he's certain that he will stand tribal before an impartial court," Juhi was quoted as saying.


Uh huh. An impartial court is not impartial when the judge offers sound bytes to reporters stating how demoralized a suspect is. See, the thing is, Saddam is going to be convicted whether or not there's actually really proof -- that's apparent -- but if it looks to the rest of the Baathists that it was a kangaroo court, I can't see how this will improve things in Iraq. I'm sure that the Shrub has told the Iraqi government in no uncertain terms that Saddam will be / must be convicted and sentenced to a quick, appeal-free death.

-John Locke