You said — “Actually the Military does not act at the behest of the public. Since day one the President has been Commander-in-Chief. The only control the public has over the Military is in electing who will be C-in-C. After that it is up to the President to lead as he sees fit.”
Well, that’s a bit simplistic, because we can see — as of right now — that pressure from Congress and those legislators, prompted and moved by public opinion, has an effect. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that they operate at the behest of the public, in more ways than one.
Even Donald Rumsfeld stated that very thing, himself, in several news conferences. He said that this was a civilian-controlled military. He actually *emphsized* that as a *point* he was making, in that regard. And as you know (from what lots here think of Rumsfeld) that if Rumsfeld said it, it must be true because he was a “straight-shoorter” when he talked to the press.
Further on the “President” as commander. You see that commander are always in charge temporarily, in all situations. Their actions can be *modified* by outside pressure. The commanders in the field, the commanders back at headquarters and the “commander in chief” — also is subject to this same thing. And that means — “the public”. They have an effect on the commander in chief. *That* is why *everyone* is always talking “to the public.” They wouldn’t talk to the public — if the public had nothing to do with it.
So, sorry to say you’re wrong there. The President and all the legislators — and — the military is all accountable to the public. And that’s the way it’s going to remain.
By the way, if Presidents weren’t accountable to the public, Clinton would not have had an Impeachment process that he had to endure (even though it failed). This shows the accountability that a President has, too — along with everyone else.
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And you said — “I know the intent is to win hearts and minds back home, but it will always have the opposite effect.”
But, it will never change. And so, what some people think should happen is that since this is never going to change, then what the Pentagon should do is simply *make up stories* and *lie* to the public. That’s apparently the view of several on Free Republic.
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Lastly — “War happens whether it is reported on or not.”
And that’s the utlimate responsibility of the public, in our government. That’s why we have representatives in Congress and that’s why we elect a President and that’s why we have Impeachment proceedings.
Presidents are accountable to the public, Commanders-in-Chief are not and shouldn't be. That is why that Clinton bombed Quonset Huts and Aspirin Factories, because he allowed himself to be guided by public opinion and used the military as a tool to garner approval.
Conservatives should never elect a person so hollow of character as to look to public opinion to gauge the correctness of a military action. A President is a fool to put his finger to the wind before talking to the Defense Sec. and the Joint Chiefs. That is why President Bush will allow his approval rating to tank in the face of doing what is right. If the President is ready to ask one Marine to fire his rifle, he must be ready to send the nuclear triad on the enemy in spite of any public concerns. That is why we give him that responsibility.
The most logical way to avoid lies is to not say anything at all.