Promoting generals who agree with the Iraq plan
To my limited knowledge, this is unprecedented.
Petraeus is being brought back from Iraq to preside over the promotions board.
You would figure this would drastically lopside this next class of generals and officers to those who support Petraeus' policies and to those who served under him, guaranteeing a stronger institutional support for Petraeus and the Iraq war.
Just a little mint on the pillow for the next president.
Petraeus is being brought back from Iraq to preside over the promotions board.
You would figure this would drastically lopside this next class of generals and officers to those who support Petraeus' policies and to those who served under him, guaranteeing a stronger institutional support for Petraeus and the Iraq war.
Just a little mint on the pillow for the next president.
posted by mikevotes at
7:20 AM
5 Comments:
I had totally missed this story. Thanks for bringing it up.
All I will say is that, ISTM that Petraeus/Bush are really only promoting people who are toadies, and that once the Master changes they will fall in line with that as well. If these candidates had any spine or independent convictions, they probably wouldn't be shilling for Bush in the first place.
By
Todd Dugdale , at 2:55 PM
Exactly, and what this guarantees is that Petraeus' toadies will get their advancement, and unlike administration figures, these promotions and placements are permanent, meaning they will outlive this administration exerting their influence for decades.
By
mikevotes, at 3:11 PM
Right, but my point is that the next president will inherit these generals who are yes-men. They will dance to the tune of Bush's successor (i.e. a Democrat) just as willingly as they dance now to Bush. That is the nature of toadies.
Obviously it's better to have capable military leaders than to have yes-men. The military shouldn't be politicised. I see your point completely. Hopefully the next Secretary of Defence can assign these new clowns to ass-kissing duty where they will do the least harm.
By
Todd Dugdale , at 5:17 PM
That's interesting because you see them as generic yes men whereas I had been thinking that they'd be, well, let's call it interventionist.
If they're Petraeus style adherents and believe that operations like Iraq are doable, than they very likely would like other interventions of the type.
And, I'll be very curious as to how the Pentagon greets the next Sec Def. Gates has gotten a far better ride, but he still is tied to this administration. Will a Dem Sec Def be welcomed more than would normally be the case just for the change?
By
mikevotes, at 9:20 PM
To be sure, Petraeus is one of very few generals who believe US military ought to be capable of peacekeeping/nationbuilding/counterinsurgency operations, while most of the rest still pine for a Desert Storm refight. Having him select people who share his view of the future direction of the military might not entirely be a bad thing.
By
Anonymous, at 8:45 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home