Thoughts on Iraq; quotes,translations,”Generals”, etc.

In our local paper we have a story by Phil Sands, a reporter who was held hostage for a short time by the Iraqis or in Iraq I should say. His piece speaks well of the kidnappers and such. I have a slightly different view of what I think of them. In one piece of the article I will translate a quote from Mr. Sands.

“I outlined some of my stories including one about an Iraqi whose family had been shot dead at a U.S. Army checkpoint. ‘My wife and child were killed like this,’ my interrogator said”. Permit me to translate what his “interrogator” meant. The way to read what the guy said was this, “I want to kill all the Americans. But they are much too strong for me and us. They would kill me instantly. Plus I am a big coward. So I strapped my wife and child into a car laden with bombs and sent them off to do the work that I am too cowardly to do myself.”

Retired Marine Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold, calling for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to be replaced, said, “The Who had it wrong. We have been fooled again.” He didn’t say when we were fooled the first time, but I have a translation of that also. Here is what he meant, “I don’t know why Bill Clinton made my a general. I mean I was happy to be a no-telling gay private. But they next thing you know I was a general. Well, not a full general, but one of the lieutenant ones, and that was good enough for me. But then this dang war started and I had to go to Iraq. And get this, I was expected to lead my men in fighting some other bad guys. Well, I ain’t much for killing anyone. I figured someone would eventually getting around to finding out I was not really a soldier so I had to do something. Knowing the media is against the war and everything the President and his Administration does I thought I would speak out against the war and how terrible we were doing. I quit first though! I would not have wanted to talk to Mr. Rumsfeld and give him an idea of how dumb a general I actually was. The old saying ‘it’s better to keep your mouth shut and let everyone think you are an idiot, instead of opening it and proving that you are one’ really holds true for me. So please get me on the front pages. I might get found out in due time.”

What kind of generals are these guys who are speaking out against the country they were supposed to serve? I can see why we are not doing too well! With generals like this we couldn’t fight a bunch of nuns and come out too well. The generals are what win wars with strategy and leadership. We have a bunch of pansies for the most part. Can you imagine Patton and MacArthur whining like these guys? Eisnehower would have shot these guys personally!

I am appalled by the lack of honor with these generals that have spoken up after they quit. What could they not be men and speak up when they needed to speak up, like Patton and MacArthur! These guys were weak. We are having problems because of leaders such as them. They are pitiful and should be tried for treason. That’s all they are doing now. They are traitors!