Gates admits U.S. military not ready for new conflict.
By on Mar 23rd, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Gates admits U.S. military not ready for new conflict.
“We would not be able to achieve our goals on the timelines that we’ve set for ourselves in terms of being successful in that other conflict,” Defense Secretary Robert Gates said. “It would take a little longer and we would not be as precise. We would not have as many precision weapons. … It would be more of a blunt-force effort.”
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Shute the Preznit dunne said he was a goin to preeetect us.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:19 pmWell, he’s fired.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:20 pmDon’t worry, people. If the U.S. was invaded, we’d be able to respond just fine, thank you very much.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:23 pmYay…more government officials admitting what we’ve known for a while.
*sigh*
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:23 pm“Blunt-force” was pretty darn effective on Japan once too ; )
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:25 pm#3
How can you be so certain Jake?
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:26 pmJake
And pretty inneffective in Vietnam.
Oh, and lets not forget – Iran actually has allies who may just not take having 50% of their oil supply suddenly cut off by a stray US missile.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:27 pmJake sez:
And there you have it, kids. Shakey Jake advocating nuclear warfare.
And he wonders why he gets insulted…
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:27 pm“We would not be able to achieve our goals on the timelines that we’ve set for ourselves in terms of being successful in that other conflict,†Defense Secretary Robert Gates said.
Which country is “that other conflict” that you have set goals and timelines for? If he was speaking hypothetically then wouldn’t he have said “in any other conflict” and not stated that there were single goals and timelines for one conflict only. Very telling statement and scary that he is so focused on a single country. Must be working on it very hard and pulling long hours.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:28 pmBut.. but… Clinton!
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:29 pmOTHER NEWS….WASHINGTON (AP) — Presidential spokesman Tony Snow said Friday he will undergo surgery Monday to remove a growth in his lower abdomen. – - That would be Roger Ailes’ nose.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:30 pmJust put me in charge of things. I’ll make sure we bomb the shit out of everyone, even our supposed allies. You know they’re just waiting for us to let our guard down. So I say, lets nuke the entire planet. That will keep things safe for our beloved neocons!
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:30 pmBlunt force also kills many civilians … oh, sorry, I forgot this administration prefers the usage of the sterile term ‘collateral damage’… and causes more hate for our country.
Anyone who actually listened during basic world history classes should know what happens when the dominant world power decides to go it alone against the rest of the world. But, I think a refresher will do: France under Napoleon, unites Europe against him; Germany, WWI, despite being allied to Austria, Italy and the Ottomans, Italy switches sides, while Austria and the Ottomans are decaying empires, Germany gets its butt whooped; WWII, Germany again goes it alone (Italy is with them but can barely defeat Ethiopia, Japan is on the other end of the globe, and Spain stays neutral).
There are others that I could add to the list, but I’ll leave it at that.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:33 pmI believe Jake is also advocating carpet bombing with the fire bombs we dropped on Japan for months prior to the nuclear bombs being dropped.
I don’t think we’re so worried about being invaded as much as where will the DicknBush gang want to throw our troops next.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:33 pmCut it with the ‘Blunt-Force’. Those are turn-on words for Jake.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:38 pm… It would be more of a blunt-force effort.â€
can’t get much more blunter than nukes…
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:39 pmWhy is there nothing in here about Iran capturing 15 British troops? This is pretty big news.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:41 pmCrump’s Brother:
Our patriotic civilians could hold them off at least until the Army got recalled from around the world. Worst case scenario, as a last resort, of course – nukes.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:41 pmRepublicans will redouble their efforts in support of a war on Iran when they hear there will be “blunt-force” involved.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:42 pmI believe that there is a diabolical purpose behind SOD Gates comments. “Military readiness†is a red herring issue of sorts in the context that the SOD is addressing it. All one has to do is look back on how quickly and efficiently we, the US, were able to gear up for our involvement in WWII. It’s not easy, but it is achievable. Of course, the public has to fully support the effort but when the cause is just that has never been a problem.
So, what is the ulterior motive? It appears that they are setting the table for the use of nuclear arms. Think about it. Once the Gulf of Tonkin or Pearl Harbor or 9/11 event takes place so that the administration feels it has the justification to attack Iran, then they will claim that the services are incapable of performing the task and would then be “forced†to use nuclear weaponry.
Nuclear weapons are not “precision weaponsâ€. Not because they are inaccurate, per se, but more so because of the massive devastation field. Whether you hit the target building or not, you still will wipe it out and the city surrounding it and all of the civilians in the blast and fallout areas. Once could call that a “blunt-force effortâ€.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:42 pmAny other questions (from anyone NOT on my “Ignore List”)?
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:42 pmjeez… NOW i read the comments…
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:44 pmno, i am not advocating nukes…
but i am sayin’ that gates has just opened that door…
doncha think?
What is the point of announcing that our military is in shreds? After all, there’s not much more sucking from the public teat that republicans could possibly do being that they pretty much bit the sucker off.
And isn’t letting the enemy know that now is as good as time as any to create mischief around the globe somehow helping the enemy?
I must be missing something.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:45 pm.
Yes,a question, Jake the Enchanter:
What is the air-speed of a Laden Swallow?
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:45 pmGo read the link Jake and everyone else. It’s an appauling account of what happened because of the ignorance of this administration. In the rush to Bahgdad and Saddam, tons of munitions were left unguarded. Those munitions are now the main source of the weapons used by the insurgents. Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz and the rest are completely responsible for this mess and there is no rationale reason on God’s green earth why these asshats should be allowed to make any more decisions in the matter.
Defend this administration Jake. You are defending complete failures to this country.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:45 pmAny other questions (from anyone NOT on my “Ignore Listâ€)?
Comment by Jake
Am I on your list? If I am give me one ping ….one ping only.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:45 pmOh. If I’m not can I be?
Jake sez:
Jake, just how big is The List â„¢ at this point? Wouldn’t it be easier to just have a “safe to talk to” list?
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:46 pmWhat is the air-speed of a Laden Swallow?
Comment by Sue
African or European?
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:51 pmFor all those advocating use of nuclear weapons:
How do you propose to keep the radiation in one place?
You do know that the winds will blow it over other countries not involved in the conflict, right?
Or is thinking too hard for you, so you do not bother to try it?
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:53 pmAnyone here who has answered my questions, in a civil manner, will get the same courtesy from me.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:56 pmDon’t worry, people. If the U.S. was invaded, we’d be able to respond just fine, thank you very much.
Comment by Jake
And just was 9/11? How was that NOT an invasion? Just because they used our own planes against us?
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:56 pmcriticalthinker sez:
Yes…and then said countries get rather upset…not that our global reputation could get much lower, though…
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:57 pmWhat is the air-speed of a Laden Swallow?
Comment by Sue
African or European?
Comment by dlet
Don’t tell me dlet is a knight who formally said “Ni!”
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:57 pmcriticalthinker:
I am not advocating use of nuclear weapons except, as stated above, an absolute last resort. Bush has already authorized the development of smaller yield nukes for exactly your legitimate concerns. Any other questions?
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:57 pmAny other questions (from anyone NOT on my “Ignore Listâ€)?
Comment by Jake
Who the hell would ask an idiot like you any question they wanted correctly answered?
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:58 pmJake sez:
But what if it is questionable?
If the shoe fits, Shakey. It’s not slander (libel, in this case) if it’s true.
Oh, and you forgot the rule about asking questions of you that you can’t answer (the rule I ran afoul of here.)
One more thing: You were on thin ice ever since your ill-conceived rape joke…even thinner than usual, but your selfish and childish use of the Elizabeth Edwards thread for your infantile showboating against John Podesta crossed the line. I don’t think anyone here is overly concerned about your ‘courtesy’.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:58 pm…and they’ll be throwing flowers at us when we bomb them.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:58 pmProud Dem:
“And just [what] was 9/11?”?
Of course that was an invasion — just like the Trojan Horse was — some here think the U.S. GOVERNMENT planted explosive at the WTC however. So, be careful.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:59 pmFour years is not long enough? Too late- you lose. It’s unfortunate that you’re on the wrong side and didn’t make provisons for that possibility. As is the case with most of your party’s members, being a bad planner is a most serious character flaw.
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:00 pm“Bush has already authorized the development of smaller yield nukes for exactly your legitimate concerns. Any other questions?
Comment by Jake — March 23, 2007 @ 1:57 pm”
Thank you Jake for pointing out ANOTHER Crime by Bush!!!!
According to the NPT, we or any country signed to it CANNOT develop new nuclear weapons….. Another nail in the coffin for this CRIMINAL….
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:01 pmmeaning: no war with Iran!
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:01 pmJake is right because he would join the military and pick up a gun and give his life for his country and not just give lip service. Good to see your back safely from Iraq on your tour. Was it you first or second? Most people only talk about our troops in the middle of this Iraq civil war but Jake stepped to the plate and went to fight for this country not just give lip service.
Gates knew from day one this wouldn’t work as he was on the research committee. Gates is doing the best he can to give Bush a respectful way out. The world sees the problems that US is having and we have as many paid contractor soldiers as US military soldiers. Gates knows Bush Seniors son needs to save the family name and get George out of this mess. Cheney has made promises to the Saudi’s and he has to have that money at any cost even if it means breaking the law. Our troops aren’t that important to the White House as seen with our injured troops living with mice/roaches/mold and maggots in their wounds.
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:01 pmDon’t tell me dlet is a knight who formally said “Ni!â€
Comment by Proud Dem
I do take great pride in my shrubbery.
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:05 pmsome here think the U.S. GOVERNMENT planted explosive at the WTC however. So, be careful.
Comment by Jake
Excuse me??? And the plane flying into the first tower and then the second was just Hollywood computer generated graphics, right? Honestly, Jake, where do you get your ideas?
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:08 pmto dlet:
HAHAHAHAHA!!! And to add to that:
I say to Chimpy: “Your mother was a hampster and your father smelled of elderberries! I fart in your general direction!”
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:09 pmDoesn’t sound to me like he’s much against another war. The tone of his response seems to be “Oh, it will mess up our schedule and cost us a bit more.”
Doesn’t sound like a “Let’s take it off the table” speech.
Be afraid.
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:10 pmI wonder what would happen if…
…this level of “preparedness” time, energy and money…
…were put into the “WAR” against GLOBAL poverty?
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:11 pmProud Dem:
I didn’t say I agree with the conspiracy wackos. These are the type of people protesting in Pelosi’s office, for instance.
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:14 pmProud Dem:
I didn’t say I agree with the conspiracy wackos. These are the type of people protesting in Pelosi’s office, for instance.
Comment by Jake — March 23, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
Yeah, but according to you, the idea that the Bush Administration is whacked is a “conspiracy theory” So you must excuse people for thinking you’re view of reality is a little “off”.
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:17 pm“Excuse me??? And the plane flying into the first tower and then the second was just Hollywood computer generated graphics, right? Honestly, Jake, where do you get your ideas?
Comment by Proud Dem — March 23, 2007 @ 2:08 pm”
He’s more than likely refering to the posts where I state that “some faction of the government performed 9/11″.
There is more than enough evidence to this fact.
I do believe this is what he is refering to.
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:19 pm“I didn’t say I agree with the conspiracy wackos. These are the type of people protesting in Pelosi’s office, for instance.
Comment by Jake — March 23, 2007 @ 2:14 pm”
So I guess all these people who do NOT believe the governments story are “wackos” also?
http://www.patriotsquestion911.com/
- Senator Max Cleland
- Senator Bob Graham
- Senator Mark Dayton
- Senator Mark Dayton
- Senator Mark Dayton
- Congressman Curt Weldon
- Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney
- Norm Mineta
- Louis Freeh
- Edward L. Peck
- Morton Goulder
- Marcus Raskin, JD
- Joseph C. Wilson IV
- Morgan Reynolds, PhD
- Paul Craig Roberts, PhD
- Catherine Austin Fitts
- John Loftus
- George Kenney
- Fred Burks
- J. Michael Springman
- Daniel Ellsberg, PhD
- Philip J. Berg, Esquire
Shall I list the MILITARY personnel that are on the list as well???
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:26 pmOkay, I give him that one, but still…. one does not equal some.
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:26 pmAUGH!! I hate how slow my computer is refreshing the threads! It’s worse than closing the barn door after the horses have gone out!!!!
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:28 pm“Blunt-force†was pretty darn effective on Japan once too ; )
Comment by Jake
From what is evidenced in your comments, “Blunt-force†was pretty effective on your head.
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:29 pmNice list, RemoveBush.
Did you see Tucker’s and Scarborough’s hatchet job on Rosie O’Donnell for having the temerity to claim that the U.S. government might have had a role in the 9/11 attacks?
It was surreal. Non-stop ad homenims, and they didn’t discuss 9/11 Truth at all, except for when Scarborough conflated it with Holocaust denial (surprise surprise…).
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:42 pmI didn’t say I agree with the conspiracy wackos.
Comment by Jake — March 23, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
Which ones? The ones defending that the downing of the WTC was a job of the NeoCons or the ones defending that it was a job of Saddam Hussein?
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:44 pmConcerning military readiness, as Jake and others have noted, American soil is not threatened by invasion. Any invasion force large enough of conquering and securing America would be destroyed before they reached our shores. Unfortunately, that’s not what is at stake here.
The stakes are our interests around the world. We (Americans) like Taiwan a lot better than we like China, and now we can’t go sit a couple of aircraft carriers in the straight when China starts to look threatening to Taiwan. We (Americans) don’t like to see people get slaughtered, and we aren’t able to go stop the mess in Darfur. We (Americans), like it or not, are dependent on oil, and securing our oil supply depends on people fearing our military might.
There are hot-spots of conflict in the world, that we have an interest in, and we need to remain ready to act if necessary to secure those interests. Without a ready military we have inadequate responses if North Korea invades the south, North Korea fires missiles at a militarily weak Japan, China invades Taiwan, or now, even if Iran does come into Iraq or the Sunni states. Not to mention that the people responsible for 9/11 are still around. It was going to be a difficult task to eradicate the Taliban and al-Queda will all of our military might, diplomatic skill, and wealth to rebuild the people a better society. By not succeeding early and overwhelmingly, we have emboldened them, and we are suffering the consequences of what happens when we use insufficient military might.
This administration has squandered much of our power by chasing phantom threats, and now we are ill equipped to handle the real ones. That’s why it matters.
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:53 pmvery well put Ben B.
March 23rd, 2007 at 3:11 pmIf he tells that to the prez, we’ll have another Sec Def before we enter Iran.
March 23rd, 2007 at 5:37 pmBush keeps changing generals to find one who will say what he wants — he’ll do the same with the sec def.
If he doesn’t he won’t be able to use his trite claim of “listening” to the people who should know.
Bush keeps changing generals to find one who will say what he wants … Comment by Marie
Exactly, now why haven’t the Republican’ts figured that out yet?
March 23rd, 2007 at 5:49 pmGates may be a Bushland Uber Allies member but at least he admits to the truth and the facts on the ground—-AS IT SHOULD BE!!!!!
March 24th, 2007 at 12:16 am