Former general: Remember 9/11 at polls in November [Tommy Franks]

The Naples Daily News (FL) ^ | 3/7/04 | Elizabeth Wndt-Kellar

[Gothmog]

When Americans wend their ways to the polls this November, they must not think about the trivial things — a credit card payment or the time spent waiting in line at airport security.

Instead, Gen. Tommy Franks urged voters to remember Sept. 11, 2001, when they cast their ballots.

That was the day when the United States "lost more than 3,000 people in the wink of an eye," Franks said Saturday night.

The four-star general spoke to a crowd of hundreds as part of the Naples/Fort Myers Town Hall speaker series at the Registry Resort and Club. His speech, "The Campaign Trail — Afghanistan to Baghdad and Beyond," focused on his own experiences during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and subsequent U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

On the morning of Sept. 11, the not-yet-retired general was en route to Pakistan to speak with leaders there about the al-Qaida terrorist network. When his plane stopped to refuel, Franks learned of the attacks. He and his wife, Kathy, turned on the television in time to see the second plane strike the World Trade Center.

"I looked at Kathy, and I said, 'bin Laden,'" Franks recalled.

The following day, Franks had a realization: Called upon to help manage the situation, he had become one of "they" — a member of some shadowy government decision-making force.

"They're the ones who send us off to do things that don't make a lot of sense," Franks said.

It was a place he never guessed he would be, the Texas native said. But he accepted the charge and is glad he did, he said. The American military went on to invade Afghanistan and topple the Taliban government, giving the country's citizens a chance to live without the oppressive regime, Franks said.

Regardless of their political position, that is something that must make Americans "terribly proud," Franks said.

Franks, who now lives in Tampa and received three Purple Hearts during his more than 30 years of military service, went on to talk about his role in the war in Iraq.

When he went to Texas to meet with President George W. Bush and discuss the country's options, he found a president that was not willing and ready to invade Iraq, contrary to what some may believe, Franks said.

"He said, 'General, I hope we never put one American boot on Iraq without invitation,'" Franks recalled the president saying. "'But Sept. 11 was instructive to me.'"

After many months, Franks created a plan for Iraq that he could say he liked. Its biggest points called for the removal of Saddam Hussein with a minimum loss of life, but maximum speed and potential for saving Iraqi oil.

That was the plan that began a year ago this month, Franks said.

When he is asked about the hundreds of American soldiers who have died since the conflict began, Franks has "an old soldier's view," he said.

"Whatever the cost, we must pay. And it cost us high. And the next eight months are going to be an interesting time," Franks said, another nod to the upcoming election season.

Franks offered praise for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, a man he described as a "hell of a secretary of war."

"He has sharp elbows and he uses them," Franks said of Rumsfeld.

He also offered high praise for the American troops who have served in the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. Franks said he is pleased to see that even those U.S. citizens who do not support the war in Iraq show support for the troops.

In a special session prior to his speech, Franks fielded questions from the media and the public. Asked if a military background is important for the commander in chief to possess, Franks said he does not believe it is necessary.

As for the notion that the main U.S. reason for an involvement in Iraq was oil, Franks said he believes there is another valuable resource in the Middle East: the "junction or nexus of the world's major religions."

Franks ended by saying he has no plans to consider a vice presidential candidacy if it is offered to him.

The final Naples/Fort Myers Town Hall speaker will be economist and journalist Stuart Varney on Wednesday, March 17. Tickets are still available. For more information, call 261-6524.

[Gothmog]

"In a special session prior to his speech, Franks fielded questions from the media and the public."

Intreresting that the two questions the Daily News thought newsworthy of mentioning suggested Kerry's war experience was more valuable than Bush's and that the liberation of Iraq was driven by a greedy need for oil.

Anyone want to bet those came from the press and not the public?

[squidly]

Don't let that slow Texas drawl fool you. Gen. Franks is a brilliant man.

[Gothmog]

It never did and I remain unfooled, ha ha ha. I was just pinting out the obvious bias to the questions reported by the press.

[FairOpinion]

Good article.

I am glad Gen. Franks is speaking out.

[Viking2002]

You're DAMNED RIGHT I'll remember it in November. I'll remember the man in who was in the Big Chair when it happened, and how he responded. And you can be DAMNED SURE I'll remember The National Socialist Appeasement Party, what they stand for, and how they've not only dishonored the dead, but also used another 280 million American lives as political poker chips to try to regain power.

[PRSOrlando]

Great article. Franks IS a brilliant military General and his insight and opinions are always interesting.

[PGalt]

Hooray for Tommy Franks! Thanks for the post.

[Clintonfatigued]

I can only hope that Americans remember the Twin Towers when they go to the polls. Bill Clinton was never serious about protecting national security. His decimation of intelligence agencies and his politically correct immigration policies might have contributed to the the attack's success. America doesn't need another president who will repeat Clinton's policies.

[JLS]

Like all representative governments, the US people have fallen into an isolationist slumber from time to time. That is natural as free people generally just want to be left alone to progress in life.

But the salvation of the US in the past has been when attacked the US population has responded and has been willing to pay the price to keep our freedom ala WWII. This is another test and I am pretty shocked at the number of people particularly in the NYC metro area who view the attack on the US as old news.

Some of it may be Bush's fault for not treating this war as the multi-front war it is and being dumb enough to ask anyone's permission even the US Congress who had already given permission to fight the war to extend it to Iraq.

And much of it is the press' fault for failing to report accurately on the war and a failure to report stories like this one widely. It makes one wonder if a segment of the press hopes that the US stays vulnerable or maybe even falls.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

John O. Edwards of NewsMax.com, Nov. 21, 2003 , wrote "Gen. Tommy Franks says that if the United States is hit with a weapon of mass destruction that inflicts large casualties, the Constitution will likely be discarded in favor of a military form of government."

I cannot count the number of people I've heard say, it's going to take another 9/11 to wake up America. Well, too many of us were asleep a generation ago and it cost tens of thousands of lives.

I would have gladly given up my rights for a couple of years, say 1968 to 1970. It would have saved the lives of tens of thousands of our troops, allies, and Vietnamese civilians. IMO.

How? The North's gamble that their countrywide Tet offensive would spark a popular uprising failed badly. Instead the Viet Cong was virtually destroyed. Our commanders wanted an additional 200,000 troops, I believe to secure an overwhelming force that would convince the North to talk seriously about peace.

LBJ was afraid that it would hurt his domestic agenda and of course spark even more protests from the pro-communist "peace" movement. He should have crushed the traitors and saved tens of thousands of lives.

The lessons learned from the Vietnam war era must be an issue in this war and in this campaign. IMO.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

And much of it is the press' fault for failing to report accurately on the war and a failure to report stories like this one widely. It makes one wonder if a segment of the press hopes that the US stays vulnerable or maybe even falls.

North Vietnam General Giap did not give the American press his coveted "Most Valuable Guerilla" award for no reason.

[Jewels1091]

I just read the most marvelous book, all of you MUST read it. THE HUNT FOR BIN LADEN, Task Force Dagger by Robin Moore (Former Green Beret, who wrote the song). The war in Afganistan was mostly planned by Rummy and you guessed it! GWB!! This is the true story from the Green Berets that went in...SEPTEMBER 19TH!!!! While everyone was asking was is it taking so long, they were in country and already setting things up! Tommy (much to my surprise) was not thought of highly from the Green Beret because they thought he has the 'old army' attitude. You really must read this book, it is fasinating!

[nutmeg]

BTTT

[Fun Bob]

A vote for Kerry is a vote for Osama bin Laden

miserable failure miserable failure miserable failure miserable failure war criminal

[bobo1]

OMYGOSH! I thought the military was supporting Hanoi John!

Maybe a debate is in order between "The Man" Tommy Franks and the "The Weasel" Wesley Clark.

Tommy could explain military strategy and Wesley could explain why weasels have a brown noses.

blessings, Bobo

[easonc52]

I am very glad that Franks, Rumsfeld, and President Bush were the ones up front after the 9/11 attacks.

My wife reminded me at dinner tonight that I was never political before 9/11, and I had to admit she was correct.

I also have to admit (putting on flame retardant now) that I've never voted before, but I'm registered, and intend to vote to keep President Bush in office.

I'll never forget 9/11, and hope the voters have enough sense to accept the reminders of how the current administration has answered the call so admirably.

[SandRat]

Good words to remember and heed.

[GEC]

Don't just vote. Get your buddies registered now and make sure that they vote in November as well!

[easonc52]

I'm warming up with my wife (Philippine). She told me at dinner that a Muslim teacher told her that the U.S. caused the eruption of a volcano to avoid having to move the nuclear devices.

I told her that was ludicrous, and actually got her laughing when she actually thought about it.

[Monty22]

The masses will elect Kerry and we'll be done for. Unless somehow we're saved.

I doubt it highly though.