BCT Editorial – 9/24/07

This page was last updated on October 7, 2007.

A disservice; Editorial; Beaver County Times; September 24, 2007.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject editorial.

“Looking out for the troops and their families is not micromanaging the war.

“Last week, the U.S. Senate refused to advance a bill by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., that would have required troops to spend as much time at home training with their units as they spend in Iraq or Afghanistan.

“Sixty votes were needed to end the debate in the Senate, and supporters of Webb’s bill could only come up with 56.

“President Bush opposed the proposal, claiming it was an attempt by the Democrats to tie the hands of military commanders.

“It was anything but that.”

[RWC] Yeah, right. The reason for Mr. Webb’s proposal was purely political. Mr. Webb and his supporters know full well we don’t have a sufficiently large military to enact the proposal even if it were a good idea. The objective of the proposal is to take enough soldiers off the battlefield that President Bush has no choice but to surrender.

“Most soldiers now spend about 15 months in combat and 12 months at home. They’re spending 15 months in combat because this White House failed to adequately plan for the occupation of Iraq. They’re spending 15 months away from their families because they had their tours involuntarily extended from 12 months to 15 months by this president’s Pentagon.”

[RWC] I suppose it has nothing to do with the fact Presidents Bush #41 and Clinton reduced active duty military manpower by about 400,000.

“The 43 Republicans and one independent, U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who voted against ending the debate have done a disservice for the men and women in the U.S. military.

“The sacrifices of these brave men and women and their families are being taken for granted by their leaders and their country. They deserve better, and they aren’t getting it.”

[RWC] Gee, a war doesn’t go according to a script. Who would have thought such a thing?