Hagel sounds alarm over Iraq

Omaha World-Herald ^

[rbg81]

While I can't stand Hagel (a McCain wannabe), I agree that we probably sent too few troops into Iraq.

The way this conflict is Vietnam like is that we are focused on not losing instead of winning. If we really want to win the WOT, we will probably have to institute a draft and raise the number of troops back to mid-80s levels.

It was a huge missed opportunity when, post 9/11, Bush urged people to "go shopping" instead of enlisting. It also didn't help that Rumsfeld wanted to keep the force small because (a) he wanted to free up resources for Modernization and (b) he believed the Army force structure was obsolete.

Fighting the war the way we are now is like trying to fight WWII with a 1930s force structure. Before all this is said and done, we'll probably need to occupy a large swath of the Middle East. Syria and Iran, definitely. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, perhaps. It would also help if we'd stop going soft on pseudo terrorist regimes (e.g., the PA, Hammas, and Hezbollah in Lebanon).

[MinuteGal]

Hagel has learned well what works for McPain.

He makes me want to puke.

"Grim face"?

A drama queen as well.

Leni

[Trteamer]

More than 200 Nebraska American Legion members, who have seen war and conflict themselves, fell quiet here Saturday as Sen. Chuck Hagel bluntly explained why he believes that the United States is losing the war in Iraq.

Sen. Chuck Hagel addresses more than 200 Nebraska American Legion members in Grand Island on Saturday.

The American Legion members should have brought duct tape for his mouth. I'm sure this will be on terrorist TV in no time. How could they sit there silently while this clown is encouraging our enemies?

[stevem]

Lstening to little men in high places is torture.

[jammer]

You may ask, but all you have to do is actually read the article. He does not advocate "wind[ing] down and depart[ing] from Iraq prematurely." Quite the opposite.

[rlmorel]

I disagree.

[MrBambaLaMamba]

Hagel's just using the FN John "How to form a policy" process -

Step 1: Stand in the breeze of a CBSNBCABC/CNN/NYT/WP poll
Step 2: Stick your finger into the wind
Step 3: Determine your opinion
Step 4: Find a platform to spew your deep cogitations
Step 5: In the event of a negative response feign outrage and dare anyone to question your patriotism

The best way to end war and ensure peace is to kill the enemy.

[Vor Lady]

He sounded a lot different when he was home stumping for election. There has to be something in the DC water that turns these guys into what they become.

[paul51]

Hagel sounds alarm over provides more encouragement for our enemies in Iraq

[Moonman62]

Hagel found out that being a "Ckicken Little" gets a lot of press.

Anything that undermines the US gets a lot of press.

[nathanbedford]

Vice President Cheney, a man whom I admire and respect as much as any living American, has expressed an entirely different view, the insurgents are "in their last throes." His assessment has been confirmed by Porter Goss, the Director of the CIA and a man also worthy of great respect, especially when he speaks within his area of responsibility and in a manner which leaves him little wiggle room if things go wrong.

There is no middle ground here, Cheney and Hagel cannot both be right. One must be wrong. But which?

One thing I know: We cannot find the truth of the matter, except by accident, by weighing the left or right wing tendencies of the advocates. A real democracy must decide matters of destiny not by resort to personality but by examination of the facts.

I have not read any replies to this thread yet, but I can bet that several have committed the sin which I warn against. Hagel might well be wrong, but he is not wrong, or even suspect because he is a RINO.

Let those who would persuade us to one side of another do so with facts.

Meanwhile, no matter what the consensus on Hagel's view of the war, no one is likely to argue with his prescription which offers commonsense if not new thinking:

U.S. troops and others could work harder to train local militias in small Iraqi towns to help identify and take on insurgents. Allies who don't want to enter Iraq could help patrol its borders, blocking terrorists from entering the war-torn country. The training of Iraq's military and military police should be accelerated immediately.

I would certainly add to this that we must bring the leaders in Iraq, not excluding the clergy, to accept that they have a stake in its stability and the success of the new government. Therefore, they should see to it that Iraqis themselves fight to preserve that stake and even their own lives.

[Moonman62]

Why do I get the feeling that Hagel has a girlfriend who opposes the war in Iraq?

[pointsal]

Campaign slogan....

Vote for Hagel the Hack

[68 grunt]

Hagel, you dumb son of a bitch, the terrorists are pouring into Iraq, and we're killing 'em. They are not coming here to kill us. Why didn't those damn terrorist crash one of their planes into the congress (in full session).

[LachlanMinnesota]

The report seems to indicate that he was well received in his comments. I. too, have heard many former military (Korea era) talk about not sending in enough troops. They are not oppoed to the effort, they just believe a greater force would be better in the long run. When I read of the high numbers of people coming in from other countries, I often wonder if more troops would not help to seal the border areas to prevent the influx from continuing. However, I am not military, so I don't know how I can judge these things except by hoping and praying that those in charge are not making a mistake on any of these issues.

[Modok]

I guess you never heard of a date of September 17, 1862 and a place called Antietam where 3600 were killed and now you want to declare defeat, reinstitute the draft, and reorganize the military. We have not seen the full face of the WOT yet, and some like you are already running for the hills.

[listenhillary]

Meanwhile, U.S. troops are under severe strain. Troops are stationed in more than 100 countries, and their rapid tempo of deployments with little time off leaves them fatigued and in danger of making mistakes.

Why are we still in 100 countries?

[yoe]

The Senator served in Vietnam and should really understand the propaganda better than most; the propaganda that was at the forefront then is what is happening now. Hagel should get behind his President and the fighting men and women - as it is he is helping lose the war in Iraq, not helping to win it. Hagel is playing right into the enemy’s hands.

[eatdust]

Well...I have to disagree with you on the troop numbers issue. Rumsfeld cut the original troop lists and retired any General who disagreed with him. There is love for the President, but Rumsfeld has lost his lustre for most of the officer corps.

[eatdust]

bingo