Today's Article
'The risk [to U.S.
military readiness]
...is significant,' the
Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman told
lawmakers last
week.
military readiness]
...is significant,' the
Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman told
lawmakers last
week.
The American Spark
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Iraq Shredding U.S. Military Readiness
By Cliff Montgomery - Feb. 10th, 2008
A classified Defense Department (DoD) report has concluded that extended tours of duty in Iraq--along with
continued terrorist actions and the war in Afghanistan--have kept the American military from properly preparing
for any new crises, according to The Associated Press (AP).
There's a "significant" chance that our already-taxed U.S. troops could not quickly respond to a new
emergency in another part of the world, declares the study.
Last year the DoD quietly heightened its U.S. military vulnerability analysis from "moderate" to "significant." For
2008, the study apparently will more boldly declare that our military's "significant" risk is brought on in great part
through the Bush Administration's insistence on continuing the nation-building of Iraq.
The fact that invading Iraq was based on the administration's deception, deceit and outright fraud almost
certainly will not be mentioned in the Pentagon report, however.
The DoD--an office of the Executive Branch--has instead given the Bush White House all the protective spin it
can. Pentagon spin doctors told reporters Friday on condition of anonymity that "efforts to increase the size of
the military, replace equipment and bolster partnerships overseas will help lower the risk over time," a burst of
wishful thinking to say the least.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, Adm. Mike Mullen, has finished the risk assessment; the report is expected
to be provided to Capitol Hill later this month. DoD officials on Friday told AP that the report has been
completed.
Since the declared risk is "significant", the study will be accompanied by a statement from Defense Secretary
Robert Gates summarizing actions the DoD is taking to diminish the threat.
Marine Gen. Peter Pace, Mullen's predecessor, raised the risk level to "significant" last year.
Mullen discussed his risk assessment last week with Congressional lawmakers.
"The risk [to U.S. military readiness] has basically stayed consistent, stayed steady," Mullen informed the
House Armed Services Committee.
"It is significant," he emphasized.
Mullen added that our troops' 15-month tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan simply are too long, and should
be decreased to 12 months. The Admiral added that our troops also need longer rest periods back home.
"We continue to build risk" to our military strength by maintaining such demands on our troops, he told
lawmakers.
Without the fruitless nation-building of Iraq, our military of course would not have these problems, and would
easily handle most threats.
But this White House must continue the Iraq mess regardless of consequence, for the same reason Lyndon
Johnson had to continue Vietnam: To stop a war he himself started for no good reason would mean certain
impeachment and permanent dishonor.
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
By Cliff Montgomery - Feb. 10th, 2008
A classified Defense Department (DoD) report has concluded that extended tours of duty in Iraq--along with
continued terrorist actions and the war in Afghanistan--have kept the American military from properly preparing
for any new crises, according to The Associated Press (AP).
There's a "significant" chance that our already-taxed U.S. troops could not quickly respond to a new
emergency in another part of the world, declares the study.
Last year the DoD quietly heightened its U.S. military vulnerability analysis from "moderate" to "significant." For
2008, the study apparently will more boldly declare that our military's "significant" risk is brought on in great part
through the Bush Administration's insistence on continuing the nation-building of Iraq.
The fact that invading Iraq was based on the administration's deception, deceit and outright fraud almost
certainly will not be mentioned in the Pentagon report, however.
The DoD--an office of the Executive Branch--has instead given the Bush White House all the protective spin it
can. Pentagon spin doctors told reporters Friday on condition of anonymity that "efforts to increase the size of
the military, replace equipment and bolster partnerships overseas will help lower the risk over time," a burst of
wishful thinking to say the least.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, Adm. Mike Mullen, has finished the risk assessment; the report is expected
to be provided to Capitol Hill later this month. DoD officials on Friday told AP that the report has been
completed.
Since the declared risk is "significant", the study will be accompanied by a statement from Defense Secretary
Robert Gates summarizing actions the DoD is taking to diminish the threat.
Marine Gen. Peter Pace, Mullen's predecessor, raised the risk level to "significant" last year.
Mullen discussed his risk assessment last week with Congressional lawmakers.
"The risk [to U.S. military readiness] has basically stayed consistent, stayed steady," Mullen informed the
House Armed Services Committee.
"It is significant," he emphasized.
Mullen added that our troops' 15-month tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan simply are too long, and should
be decreased to 12 months. The Admiral added that our troops also need longer rest periods back home.
"We continue to build risk" to our military strength by maintaining such demands on our troops, he told
lawmakers.
Without the fruitless nation-building of Iraq, our military of course would not have these problems, and would
easily handle most threats.
But this White House must continue the Iraq mess regardless of consequence, for the same reason Lyndon
Johnson had to continue Vietnam: To stop a war he himself started for no good reason would mean certain
impeachment and permanent dishonor.
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!