Comments on: NorthCom Operations Chief Addresses ‘Republican Assembly’ Events To Push Pro-Iraq War Message http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:44:56 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: colonel http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4124225 colonel Thu, 18 Oct 2007 03:50:46 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4124225 My step-brother is an avid participant in liberal politics and blogs and pointed out this site to me. I don’t normally blog, or read blogs, but I read through your comments and felt the need to provide some information which you can digest as you see fit. First off, your information source, the Tulsa World article, was incomplete in its reporting on the event. Like any media source, the World is constrained by space, and had a large local vote to report on that day; my presentation was pretty insignificant in comparison. But you were unaware of that, and based your comments on what you read, and made a lot of assumptions from that reading. I was asked to speak to these two groups by my Mother, a Republican. I myself am not registered or affiliated with any political party or group. (I am a member of Trout Unlimited, however.) For two years after I returned from Iraq, I demurred to her request for me to speak – until it became a dying wish. She passed away last Saturday, 4 days after. I respected her request by giving a standard Department of Defense public presentation on the United States strategy for the “Long War,” aka, the War on Terrorism. It is a strategic military perspective on the war, not a partisan political perspective. If you are interested in reading it, you can find it located at this URL: http://www.msstate.edu/dept/isss/2006/Sullivan_Long_War_Brief_v2.pdf It is an information briefing designed to explain to taxpayers what their military is doing and why – it is not directed by the Administration. I was not part of some concerted effort to use military members to convince Americans to support the war. This briefing provides the military rationale for defeating Al Qaeda’s aims in Iraq and elsewhere – that is how “victory is defined”, as one person asked. You may not agree with the rationale, you may not agree with the intelligence assessments that lead to the operational and strategic rationale. You may have little information, expertise or experience in military matters, but you have a right to your opinion. Some of you are concerned that I may have violated the Hatch Act or a DOD Directive by providing this presentation speaking to a club based on a political party. It should now be obvious that I was providing a DOD-approved public presentation, not supporting a partisan cause or candidate. I must admit that I was flattered by the comparison to GEN Petreaus, who is an honorable, intelligent, non-partisan, extremely conscientious, public servant trying to do his sworn duty – unlike many of his detractors, he is an expert at what he does. The fact that he now believes we can successfully train and assist the Iraqis to reach a level at which they can defend their embryonic, unstable democracy should be a relief to every American; both that the Iraqis could have a genuine, functioning democracy and that our military strategy can and is working, and is thereby defeating Al Qaeda’s aims – the “real” enemy, as some of you noted. To the “11-year veteran” who thinks I gave this presentation to “make General,” you will be pleased to note that after 26 years of under-paid, but personally meaningful service to this nation, I am retiring soon. I was astonished at some of the vitriol and name-calling, much directed at me, a person none of you know, based on an article that was superficial at best and largely uninformative. I expected to find mature adults conducting a reasoned discussion of important issues. My mistake. My step-brother is an avid participant in liberal politics and blogs and pointed out this site to me. I don’t normally blog, or read blogs, but I read through your comments and felt the need to provide some information which you can digest as you see fit.
First off, your information source, the Tulsa World article, was incomplete in its reporting on the event. Like any media source, the World is constrained by space, and had a large local vote to report on that day; my presentation was pretty insignificant in comparison. But you were unaware of that, and based your comments on what you read, and made a lot of assumptions from that reading.
I was asked to speak to these two groups by my Mother, a Republican. I myself am not registered or affiliated with any political party or group. (I am a member of Trout Unlimited, however.) For two years after I returned from Iraq, I demurred to her request for me to speak – until it became a dying wish. She passed away last Saturday, 4 days after. I respected her request by giving a standard Department of Defense public presentation on the United States strategy for the “Long War,” aka, the War on Terrorism. It is a strategic military perspective on the war, not a partisan political perspective. If you are interested in reading it, you can find it located at this URL: http://www.msstate.edu/dept/isss/2006/Sullivan_Long_War_Brief_v2.pdf
It is an information briefing designed to explain to taxpayers what their military is doing and why – it is not directed by the Administration. I was not part of some concerted effort to use military members to convince Americans to support the war. This briefing provides the military rationale for defeating Al Qaeda’s aims in Iraq and elsewhere – that is how “victory is defined”, as one person asked. You may not agree with the rationale, you may not agree with the intelligence assessments that lead to the operational and strategic rationale. You may have little information, expertise or experience in military matters, but you have a right to your opinion.
Some of you are concerned that I may have violated the Hatch Act or a DOD Directive by providing this presentation speaking to a club based on a political party. It should now be obvious that I was providing a DOD-approved public presentation, not supporting a partisan cause or candidate.
I must admit that I was flattered by the comparison to GEN Petreaus, who is an honorable, intelligent, non-partisan, extremely conscientious, public servant trying to do his sworn duty – unlike many of his detractors, he is an expert at what he does. The fact that he now believes we can successfully train and assist the Iraqis to reach a level at which they can defend their embryonic, unstable democracy should be a relief to every American; both that the Iraqis could have a genuine, functioning democracy and that our military strategy can and is working, and is thereby defeating Al Qaeda’s aims – the “real” enemy, as some of you noted. To the “11-year veteran” who thinks I gave this presentation to “make General,” you will be pleased to note that after 26 years of under-paid, but personally meaningful service to this nation, I am retiring soon.
I was astonished at some of the vitriol and name-calling, much directed at me, a person none of you know, based on an article that was superficial at best and largely uninformative. I expected to find mature adults conducting a reasoned discussion of important issues. My mistake.

]]> By: David B http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4115440 David B Thu, 11 Oct 2007 00:26:04 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4115440 It seems pretty simple. Its a violation of the Hatch Act, you know when and where he is scheduled to speak. Go, wait and arrest him. Take MP's if necessary. It seems pretty simple. Its a violation of the Hatch Act, you know when and where he is scheduled to speak. Go, wait and arrest him. Take MP’s if necessary.

]]> By: Uncle Ho http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4115163 Uncle Ho Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:16:03 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4115163 Don in Texas; I agree. Democracy was hijacked in 2000 by party hacks in black robes.. The WORST decision by SCOTUS since the Dred Scott case. Don in Texas; I agree. Democracy was hijacked in 2000 by party hacks in black robes.. The WORST decision by SCOTUS since the Dred Scott case.

]]> By: dim wit http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4115116 dim wit Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:32:11 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4115116 Comment by Godfather2 — October 10, 2007 @ 5:19 pm Do you have no respect for the law, neocon? Comment by Godfather2 — October 10, 2007 @ 5:19 pm

Do you have no respect for the law, neocon?

]]> By: The Republic of Stupidity http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4115034 The Republic of Stupidity Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:47:08 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4115034 Gee... what happened to tampchessdon??? All his comments got deleted. Gee… what happened to tampchessdon??? All his comments got deleted.

]]> By: Xisithrus http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4114956 Xisithrus Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:49:56 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4114956 You know, i was just thinking, we should have Sodiku [Abbvu] puzzles made from three letter abbreviatiions such as BFF. EnnyHooo, how can one be fro prolonging a UN resolution? Should not the UN be brought back to review this, now, at this point, seeing as they helped to empower it? You know, i was just thinking, we should have Sodiku [Abbvu] puzzles made from three letter abbreviatiions such as BFF.

EnnyHooo, how can one be fro prolonging a UN resolution? Should not the UN be brought back to review this, now, at this point, seeing as they helped to empower it?

]]> By: Xisithrus http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4114953 Xisithrus Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:47:11 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4114953 A college education is not a prerequisite for knowing someone is bulsh!tting. Comment by Nevar Must be why I know Jason is FOS. =P A college education is not a prerequisite for knowing someone is bulsh!tting. Comment by Nevar

Must be why I know Jason is FOS. =P

]]> By: Nevar http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4114952 Nevar Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:46:38 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4114952 You can only get them at Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib You can only get them at Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib

]]> By: RUCerious http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4114944 RUCerious Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:39:47 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4114944 Where can I get one of those flashy al-Qaida ties everyone's talking about. My local haberdashery doesn't carry them. Where can I get one of those flashy al-Qaida ties everyone’s talking about.

My local haberdashery doesn’t carry them.

]]> By: Wayne http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4114937 Wayne Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:37:30 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4114937 wow did Jason just get the boot? looks like all his inane posts are gone now. wow did Jason just get the boot?
looks like all his inane posts are gone now.

]]> By: 1984 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4114936 1984 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:37:05 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4114936 About AQ in madrid. Yahoo reported this: "Madrid Bombings Show No al-Qaida Ties" and angus reid reported this: "Spaniards Have Doubts About Madrid Bombings"... About AQ in madrid. Yahoo reported this:
“Madrid Bombings Show No al-Qaida Ties” and angus reid reported this: “Spaniards Have Doubts About Madrid Bombings”…

]]> By: Nevar http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4114926 Nevar Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:29:31 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4114926 A college education is not a prerequisite for knowing someone is bulsh!tting. A college education is not a prerequisite for knowing someone is bulsh!tting.

]]> By: Jason M. Hendler http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4114921 Jason M. Hendler Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:27:13 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4114921 #93, bilbo, If you did graduate from Stanford, and are a member of Stanford's alumni association, then you can easily look me up. If your claim of graduating first in your class at Stanford Law is true, then congratulations, that is quite an accomplishment. #93, bilbo,

If you did graduate from Stanford, and are a member of Stanford’s alumni association, then you can easily look me up.

If your claim of graduating first in your class at Stanford Law is true, then congratulations, that is quite an accomplishment.

]]> By: Xisithrus http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4114919 Xisithrus Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:26:07 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4114919 and realized that comparing my alma mater to an Ivy League school is actually an insult, -Jason And it took you, a top-ranked, this long to notice? Elites, whatever that really means, are getting sillier everyday and realized that comparing my alma mater to an Ivy League school is actually an insult, -Jason

And it took you, a top-ranked, this long to notice?

Elites, whatever that really means, are getting sillier everyday

]]> By: Jason M. Hendler http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4114918 Jason M. Hendler Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:25:33 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4114918 #83, Xis, Yes, sun loading of concrete, glass and metal is an additional factor, but look at how many kilo, even mega, watts of power cities consume each day in electricity, natural gas, fuel oils, etc., and you will understand that the heat dissipated in the comsumption of this power results in temperature increases in the surrounding environment. #83, Xis,

Yes, sun loading of concrete, glass and metal is an additional factor, but look at how many kilo, even mega, watts of power cities consume each day in electricity, natural gas, fuel oils, etc., and you will understand that the heat dissipated in the comsumption of this power results in temperature increases in the surrounding environment.

]]> By: bilbobaggins http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4114917 bilbobaggins Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:23:43 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4114917 <em>Sure JayJay, you went to Stanford and I’m the freakin’ Queen of England. You went to Standford and didn’t know what the Ivy League was. The rest of us aren’t as dumb as you community college boy. Comment by Shayne</em> If Jason went to Stanford he must know Jake, since Jake went to Stanford too. BTW Jason, did I tell you that I graduated first in my class at Stanford Law School? Sure JayJay, you went to Stanford and I’m the freakin’ Queen of England. You went to Standford and didn’t know what the Ivy League was. The rest of us aren’t as dumb as you community college boy.
Comment by Shayne

If Jason went to Stanford he must know Jake, since Jake went to Stanford too.

BTW Jason, did I tell you that I graduated first in my class at Stanford Law School?

]]> By: Jason M. Hendler http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4114912 Jason M. Hendler Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:22:43 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4114912 #91, Shayne, Read it and weep, graduated with MSEE in January, 2001 - Stanford Alumni Association #514421. #91, Shayne,

Read it and weep, graduated with MSEE in January, 2001 – Stanford Alumni Association #514421.

]]> By: Shayne http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4114908 Shayne Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:19:34 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4114908 Yes, looked up Ivy League on wikipedia, and realized that comparing my alma mater to an Ivy League school is actually an insult, so I commit henceforth to refer to Stanford University as “top ranked” - feel better? Comment by Jason M. Hendler — October 10, 2007 @ 3:06 pm Sure JayJay, you went to Stanford and I'm the freakin' Queen of England. You went to Standford and didn't know what the Ivy League was. The rest of us aren't as dumb as you community college boy. Yes, looked up Ivy League on wikipedia, and realized that comparing my alma mater to an Ivy League school is actually an insult, so I commit henceforth to refer to Stanford University as “top ranked” – feel better?

Comment by Jason M. Hendler — October 10, 2007 @ 3:06 pm

Sure JayJay, you went to Stanford and I’m the freakin’ Queen of England. You went to Standford and didn’t know what the Ivy League was. The rest of us aren’t as dumb as you community college boy.

]]> By: Xisithrus http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4114902 Xisithrus Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:17:38 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4114902 No, the president is not “appointed by the constitution.” He is elected to office by the Electoral College under the authority of the Constitution. I meant appointed to the office of CIC. Forgive my improper use of the correct vernacular. =P No, the president is not “appointed by the constitution.” He is elected to office by the Electoral College under the authority of the Constitution.

I meant appointed to the office of CIC. Forgive my improper use of the correct vernacular. =P

]]> By: missmolly http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/comment-page-3/#comment-4114901 missmolly Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:16:21 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/10/colonel-smith-republican/#comment-4114901 Here we go again with the left wing loons starting another smear campaign to make an honorable soldier appear to be a criminal because they happen to disagree with his stance on the war. Typical. Comment by Tampachessdon — October 10, 2007 @ 2:11 pm Wrong. I fully support the rights of our soldiers to speak out with their opinions, whether I agree with those opinions or not. What is being challenged here is that Smith is addressing partisan groups, which gets into a Hatch Act issue. I would object just as much if he was addressing groups of Democrats. I have no problem with Smith vocally supporting the war, just as I have no problem with seven soldiers from the 82nd Airborne writing an op-ed piece about their observations. But how would you feel if the 82nd Airborne soldiers spoke at a fundraiser for Democrats? That crosses the Hatch Act line, as does Smith leading pep rallies for the Republicans. Even so, I'd like to make an observation. Smith talking to Republican groups is obviously preaching to the choir. Yet this choir seems to be defecting in droves, if poll numbers are any indication. Is it Smith's own idea to go out and "sell" the war to the Republican base, or is he being encouraged to do so by higher-ups? Here we go again with the left wing loons starting another smear campaign to make an honorable soldier appear to be a criminal because they happen to disagree with his stance on the war. Typical.

Comment by Tampachessdon — October 10, 2007 @ 2:11 pm

Wrong. I fully support the rights of our soldiers to speak out with their opinions, whether I agree with those opinions or not. What is being challenged here is that Smith is addressing partisan groups, which gets into a Hatch Act issue. I would object just as much if he was addressing groups of Democrats.

I have no problem with Smith vocally supporting the war, just as I have no problem with seven soldiers from the 82nd Airborne writing an op-ed piece about their observations. But how would you feel if the 82nd Airborne soldiers spoke at a fundraiser for Democrats? That crosses the Hatch Act line, as does Smith leading pep rallies for the Republicans.

Even so, I’d like to make an observation. Smith talking to Republican groups is obviously preaching to the choir. Yet this choir seems to be defecting in droves, if poll numbers are any indication. Is it Smith’s own idea to go out and “sell” the war to the Republican base, or is he being encouraged to do so by higher-ups?

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