Petraeus to acknowledge low troop morale.
By on Aug 31st, 2007 at 11:10 am
Petraeus to acknowledge low troop morale.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) recently had dinner in Baghdad with Gen. David Petraeus, at which time he expressed concerns that “troops were being pushed to the limit.” Durbin told the Chicago Tribune that “Petraeus concurred,” and will likely tell President Bush about the problem in his report next month. “I expect the general to acknowledge to the president what I said about troop morale and the readiness of the troops to continue this battle at this level,” said Durbin. “He said as much over dinner.”
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Of course, the New York Times, Think Progress, and all DEFEATOCRATS have nothing to do with lower morale, right?
August 31st, 2007 at 11:13 amPlease tell the Dumbinator the truth. You have more experience and expertise than the phony Commando in Chief.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:14 amI’m sure the defeatism of the Democratic Party really helps to lift their moral.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:15 amJake, take time to READ.
Don’t be a dumba$$ like Shrub.
Hell, it says RIGHT THERE in the above paragraph:
“troops were being pushed to the limit”
MAYBE THAT’S WHY MORALE IS LOW, STOOPID.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:16 amover a year ago a report said 60% of the troops want home , I would expect that to be about 75% by now
August 31st, 2007 at 11:16 amLeahy: “I understand you recognize that the troops in iraq have low morale.”
Petraeus: “No sir.”
L: “But…but my esteemed colleague Sen. Durbin indicated to me that you concurred as much over dinner.”
P: “I have no recollection of that Senator.”
August 31st, 2007 at 11:17 am#
I’m sure the defeatism of the Democratic Party really helps to lift their moral.
Comment by Ringo — August 31, 2007 @ 11:15 am
#
I’m sure every republican voting against the Webb amendment that would have allowed them rest between deployments did tons to improve morale. I know when I was in Iraq, the constant extensions was what destroyed morale, and the constant changing of who the “enemy” was.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:18 amGod forbid this Administrations horribly botched job in Iraq from THE GET-GO have anything to do with low moral.
Who wouldn’t have low morale when been directed by a clueless, pathetic, lying coke-head?
August 31st, 2007 at 11:18 amKeyboard commando, chickenhawk-Neoturds “fighting” from the comfort of mommy’s house are DESTROYING TROOP MORALE.
Their morale would get a HUGE BOOST when you suit-up and and take their place in the Iraqi hell-hole.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:21 am15 month deployment…
12 months (sometimes less) at home and training for next deployment…
15 month deployment…
I can’t see why troop morale would be low. Seem ridiculous to me.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:22 am3737
79 this month (so far) same as last month
As where last year August only 65
Looks like the surge has failed miserably
August 31st, 2007 at 11:22 am10 . 15 months is crazy UK troops do no more than six months
How do you think the Iraqis feel after 5 years ……..
August 31st, 2007 at 11:23 amJake D. sez:
No, Shakey, it’s probably the endless redeployments, lack of essential supplies, getting denied basic health benefits while the Blackwater mercenary next to you makes enough money to retire on, and, oh yeah, getting shot and blown up on a daily basis.
Jackass.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:24 amOf course, the New York Times, Think Progress, and all DEFEATOCRATS have nothing to do with lower morale, right?
Comment by Jake D. — August 31, 2007 @ 11:13 am
What a mean-spirited, dishonest comment. Like comments at a website are more painful than bullets and IEDs. You s/b ashamed of yourself.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:24 amI’m sure that extending tours to 15 months had something to do with it. I’m sure that the “Stop loss” orders have something to do with low morale.
I’m sure the lack of proper equipment and mulitple tours of duty have something to do with it. I’m sure the lack of concerted, long term planning has something to do with it.
All provided/authorized/bungled by the current administration with the submissive constent from republicans and compliant democrats.
This mess has enough blame to go around. All the while our soldiers and marines languish as patrolmen instead of what they have been trained (and what they were intended) to do.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:24 amComment by Ringo — August 31, 2007 @ 11:15 am
Didn’t Wrongo’s ph # turn up on both Larry Craig’s and Mark Foley’s speed dialers?
August 31st, 2007 at 11:25 amI’m sure the defeatism of the Democratic Party really helps to lift their moral.
Comment by Ringo — August 31, 2007 @ 11:15 am
Yes that is it. It couldn’t possibly be the fact that people are attempting to kill them. Lets all focus on the positive, right. I mean the troops are enjoying everlasting sushine, three free meals a day, and free housing and medical. Wow, what a great deal!
August 31st, 2007 at 11:27 amFlakey and Bongo.
Sounds like a bad 50’s children’s TV show.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:28 amWow, what a great deal!
Comment by dim wit — August 31, 2007 @ 11:27 am
And don’t forget Rush, 24/7!
August 31st, 2007 at 11:29 amThe troops are not stupid. They know this war has been mishandled from its inception. They went in for phantom WMD’s and revenge for 9/11, now four and a half years later they’re refereeing someone else’s civil war. We’ll funneling billions of dollars and thousands of American lives into a country hell-bent on destroying itself.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:30 amwhile the troops are fighting for your country – the military covenant states that your troops expect you to do look after their interests
get the troops out
the troops dont get a cut or bonus for stealing oil for Bush
their killed and maimed and forgetten about
August 31st, 2007 at 11:31 amFunny Republican Comic
August 31st, 2007 at 11:31 amLarry Craig in I’m Not Gay
#
15 month deployment…
12 months (sometimes less) at home and training for next deployment…
15 month deployment…
I can’t see why troop morale would be low. Seem ridiculous to me.
Comment by DanCaveman — August 31, 2007 @ 11:22 am
#
Actually, you don’t often have that much time between deployments, and many times you either have less equipment (because you handed it off to the unit that was supposed to be relieving you) or you have the same crappy broken equipment that has been getting worn out for the last year – speaking from experience. There was this thing called the Webb amendment that would have mandated time between deployments for recuperation, re-training, and re-equipping the troops, but the republicans voted against it because they were worried about troop morale.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:32 amAnd Bush will ignore any suggestion that the troops have low morale.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:32 amHe doesn’t want to hear it.
He cannot stand any criticism.
What else is new?
Bush had his 6 months extra he blew it
get the troops out
August 31st, 2007 at 11:36 am#
Bush had his 6 months extra he blew it
get the troops out
Comment by Tobey Tall — August 31, 2007 @ 11:36 am
#
Oh no, but the surge is working!, I mean it hasn’t started yet. I mean it has only been going for two weeks, not all of the troops are there. Oh, hell you just want the terrorists to win! ;>)
August 31st, 2007 at 11:38 amSurrender now!!!!
Comment by Frank J — August 31, 2007 @ 11:37 am
Psst… Frank, Larry and Wrongo are waiting for you in the “usual stall”…
August 31st, 2007 at 11:38 am4 more bomb threats phoned to stores
CLEVELAND – Four more bomb threats forced evacuations at stores in northeast Ohio early Friday, adding to a series of similar threats across the country this week, the FBI said.
HAVE THE NEOCONS GOT NOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN PRANK CALLS
August 31st, 2007 at 11:38 amMany of these poor wretches are on their third or fourth rotation into active duty. A friend of mine was given a Section 8 after volunteering for a third tour of active duty in Vietnam. These poor souls are not given a choice. Any wonder there is a “morale problem”? Well, duh…
And have the “family values” wing-nuts even considered what is going to happen to the families of these troops when they come home after being forced into combat again and again? I guess that once they take off the uniform, they no longer have to worry about “supporting the troops”! We have a humanitarian disaster in the making, right here at home.
But let’s not talk about that…
August 31st, 2007 at 11:40 amHAVE THE NEOCONS GOT NOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN PRANK CALLS
Comment by Tobey Tall — August 31, 2007 @ 11:38 am
#
Better question:
If these calls were the real deal, with terrorist backing, would our current response be adequate? All these years later, and we still have no real standards for how we handle domestic terrorism.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:41 amOf course, the New York Times, Think Progress, and all DEFEATOCRATS have nothing to do with lower morale, right?
Comment by Jake D. — August 31, 2007 @ 11:13 am
Not as much as multiple 15 month tours, shorter stays at home, and stop loss policies.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:42 amLet’s not forget the President saying he will veto a 3.5% pay raise for troops, because his offered 3.0% is “sufficient.”
Meanwhile, Blackwater mercenaries are raking in $100,000 a year through government contracts.
That might affect morale a bit, too.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:45 amYeah, the fact the troops are being used as traffic cops, security guards, and human shields to keep the various sides in a civil war from killing each other is something they probably delight in. In addition, they are allowed to “summer” among palm trees, sand, and 115 degree temperature and it’s more like a nice vacation.
And of course they have the closeted Republican Party that promises them that when they die, they will go to a nice garden of eden where they can drink coca cola all day and be serviced by 76 nude virgins all of which look just like George W. Bush.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:50 amHAVE THE NEOCONS GOT NOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN PRANK CALLS
Comment by Tobey Tall — August 31, 2007 @ 11:38 am
#
Better question:
If these calls were the real deal, with terrorist backing, would our current response be adequate? All these years later, and we still have no real standards for how we handle domestic terrorism.
Better answer
has there ever been another Muslim terror attack – No – what better way to piss hundreds and thoudsands of shoppers off , than neocons making fear mongering prank calls to justify staying in Iraq
August 31st, 2007 at 11:51 amLet’s not forget where Blackwater is getting the money to pay their merc’s $100,00 per year!!!
August 31st, 2007 at 11:52 amOf course, the New York Times, Think Progress, and all DEFEATOCRATS have nothing to do with lower morale, right?
Comment by Jake D. — August 31, 2007 @ 11:13 am
This koolaid drinker stuff isn’t selling anymore.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:53 am“I expect the general to acknowledge to the president what I said about troop morale and the readiness of the troops to continue this battle at this level,†said Durbin. “He said as much over dinner.â€
Sure sounds like Bush is writing that report, don’t it?
August 31st, 2007 at 11:53 amwe must never forget the tragic events of 912
August 31st, 2007 at 11:54 amPrivate security pay is more like $200K per year. Often there are several layers of subcontracts involved, with everyone taking a cut. The actual cost to field one private security guard is ca. $1 million, about five times as much as fielding a regular soldier.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:55 amActually, some are making $30,000 or so a month – tax free. At least that is what they had offered one of the SGTs I served with back in 2004 – 2005.
With a cost-plus contract, why not. They make more money the more money they spend.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:57 amI’m glad that Durbin is concerned about troop morale. At least SOMEBODY is.
The first question is — did Petraeus mean what he said? He probably did (most generals do care about the morale of the men and women under them), and most likely will convey his concerns to Bush.
The second question is — will Bush attach any concern to the low morale of the troops? Not really. If his reaction is anything other than “la la la I can’t hear you”, it will be to make a speech blaming the low morale of the troops on those calling for withdrawal from Iraq.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:01 pmmissmolly, W is not psychologically capable of empathy or concern. I’m sure he’ll talk about how “we appreciate your sacrifice” and “it’s hard work.” If he addresses it at all.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:04 pmThat’s right Jake, those darn libs are to blame. It could not possibly be they 3 or 4 tours of duty there. It could not possibly be that they figured out that the war was all about control of oil. It could not possibly be that they are starting to think that this was an illegal war. Naw, it has nothing to do with that at all. It’s those darn libs.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:06 pmFirst who would believe Petraeus would forward such a comment to the president and second who would believe that the meaning of the comment would actually sink into the brain of Bush and cause a positive response?
August 31st, 2007 at 12:45 pmBush is all for Americans who have 3 jobs and 3 tours of duty in a war zone…It’s uniquely American.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:47 pmThe tour extensions will increase until morale improves!!
August 31st, 2007 at 12:52 pmIt’s a damn shame these troops got sent into this occupation by the president they have, instead of some rational, sane person.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:53 pmIt’s a damn shame these troops got sent into this occupation by the president they have, instead of some rational, sane person.
Comment by RUCerious — August 31, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
You go to war with the Commander-in-Chief you have, not the one you’d like to have.
August 31st, 2007 at 1:18 pmoh yeah? well, I double dog dare Petraeus to say that on a message board!!! I know a few dozen trolls with a lot of time on their hands who can set him straight! who does he think he is????
August 31st, 2007 at 1:41 pmNotice how we lost the trolls on this thread after the first few posts.
Guess thier morale is too low to participate.
August 31st, 2007 at 1:41 pmI have no doubt that if Petraeus tells Bush that the troops are being pushed beyond their limit his eyes will widen and he’ll say, “WHAT? Why didn’t someone tell me?? !! The troops well-being is my #1 concern! NOTHING matters more than taking care of our troops!! The US military deserve nothing short of my unconditional respect and concern!! As someone who admittedly did everything I could to avoid serving in war as these brave men and women are doing, I defer to those with experience and will ALWAYS listen to those military advisers with experiance, not any selfish, jingoistic, childish desires on my part! The 2 most important things to me are the saftey of the troops and the safety of the Amercan people!”
And just about that time hell should be officially frozen over.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:36 pmHas anyone here actually been deployed before?
September 1st, 2007 at 7:15 am