Petraeus: I “Don’t Know” If The Iraq War Makes U.S. Safer
In this mind-blowing exchange, our highest ranking general in Iraq can’t articulate why we’re there and whether it’s good that we are.
The Nation: Republican Senator John Warner asked Petraeus a pointed question: “Do you feel that [Iraq war] is making America safer”?
Petraeus paused before responding. He then said: “I believe this is indeed the best course of action to achieve our objectives in Iraq.”
That was, of course, a non-answer. And Warner wasn’t going to let the general dodge the bullet. He repeated the question: “Does the [Iraq war] make America safer?”
Petraeus replied, “I don’t know, actually. I have not sat down and sorted in my own mind.”
UPDATE: Here’s some video of the exchange and of a very emotional Joe Biden and Chris Matthews, stunned that the General in Iraq can’t defend the policy. Make sure you listen towards the end (about 3:15) when Chris Matthews says, “It’s unimaginable, UNIMAGINABLE that Petraeus came before the Senate and spoke [like that]!”
Out of respect for the troops, the least the White House should do is dump the “Iraq is about terrorism” rhetoric and start telling the truth: we’re there to control Middle East oil and protect profits.
Out of respect for the troops, their spouses, and their families, we should tell the truth.
If the truth makes the troop puke, throw down their weapons, and start walking home, who’s going to blame them?
The Truth is finally coming out. This war has nothing to do with defending our nation. The Americans are waking up. I hope they connect the dots and realize our “leaders” are not loyal to this nation and that they could give a damn about our dead and horribly maimed. And I see those ads on TV with paraplegic soldiers and mothers who lost their sons and daughters pushing the war. Has any body looked to see who is running those commercials – who paid for them? I have – they have dual loyalties!
Hugh,
I believe those ads are the work of Ari Fleisher. Are you surprised? Those ads just make me very sad. Sad for those parents who lost their children. Even if we stay there fifty more years it won’t change things for those families.
Yes, Caroline, Fleisher is one of the “heavies” behind the add. I would classify Fleisher as part of “The Lobby”.
And these ads make me both sad and furious. We are not dealing with patriotism here. This is direct meddling and control by another foreign nation with its own distinct interests from ours. This foreign nation is using our blood and treasure to achieve its objectives! Its that simple!
Don’t miss the final part of this question by Dr. Paul Craig Roberts. It’s very close to my comment in #5 above:
Who are the beneficiaries of 9-11? The answer is: the military- security complex, which has accumulated tens of billions of dollars in profits; U.S. oil companies, which hope to get their hands on Iraqi and perhaps Iranian oil; the Republican Party, which saved a vulnerable newly elected president, George W. Bush, viewed by many as illegitimately elected by one vote of the Supreme Court, by wrapping him in the flag as “war president”; the Republican Federalist Society, which used 9-11 to achieve its goal of concentrating power in the executive; Vice President Dick Cheney and the neoconservatives, who used the “new Pearl Harbor” to implement their “Project for a New American Century” and extend American hegemony over the Middle East; and right-wing Israeli Zionists, who have successfully used American blood and treasure to eliminate obstacles to Israeli territorial expansion.
Article Link:”911 – Six Years Later”
http://tinyurl.com/2hn5hu
John,
You always mention “oil” as the reason for our attack on Iraq – Dr. Roberts has that #2 in his list above, if the order has meaning!
So do all you defeatocrat conspiracy propagandists support this BS from moveon.org — http://pol.moveon.org/petraeus.html
The General is simply doing his job. He’s not necessarily supposed to have a “world view” regarding whether we’re safer or not. But how come the same neocons who are all about this religious war/kill or convert Muslims also seem to be the most concerned about some Iraqi “bloodbath” if we leave? You guys are “tied in knots” again.
Knots or knuts?
Bill,
Doing your job as narrowly as possible has been proven a deadly mistake for military ‘leaders.’
There are illegal and immoral orders, aren’t there?
And, just plain foolish and stupid orders, eh?
Tactical versus strategic?
Battle goals versus war goals?
Sun Tze might have named the military just a tool of political leaders, but does that mean the military has a duty only to the current political leadership?
Reflect upon Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg, Rommel at El Alamein, and every army that ever tried invading Russian during the winter.
Mad Dog
Petraeus back pedals
“>z:
So why is the general running around the country doing a dog and pony show with a diplomat?
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