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October 06, 2006

"More Troops Please"

"Not losing" isn't the same as winning.

I've heard President Bush repeatedly state he will send more troops to Iraq if the commanders on the ground ask for them. I think, having returned home from Iraq two months ago, that there must be a breakdown in communication somewhere along the line. Maybe units on the ground are painting too rosy a picture for the generals. Perhaps the generals aren't asking because it goes against the "can do" ethos of the Army. Possibly the military is being squeezed by the Pentagon to do more with less. Or maybe the White House doesn't want to admit more troops are needed. In any case, while I do not have the answers nor do I seek to place blame, it is painfully obvious there's a disconnect.

I volunteered to serve in Iraq because I believe in our mission there. I share the president's conviction about the Iraq war--we can and must win, for the Iraqi people, for the future of our country and for peace-loving people everywhere. But I'm frustrated. America is fighting with a hand tied behind its back. Soldiers have all the equipment we need--armored humvees, body armor for every body part, superior technology, etc.--but we simply do not have enough troops in Iraq, and we need them now.

...I believe, as the president noted, that "the safety of America depends on the outcome of the battle in the streets of Baghdad." Why then do we have just enough troops in Iraq not to lose?


Crusader sent this along and it's an argument we back seat drivers have been making since this whole mess started.
Give our troops everyTHING and everyONE they need to do this right ~ massive, overwhelming force and support to unleash the hounds and get it DONE.

Not the Rumsfeld doctrine of "more on less".

Posted by tree hugging sister at October 6, 2006 09:46 AM

Comments

I've never been a big fan of Cheney and Rumsfeld's military policies, even though they are good men otherwise.

There is no doubt that more troops are needed in Iraq, but Rumsfeld has made it clear in Iraq and Afghanistan that he thinks that wars can be won by small numbers of elite forces. Hence the huge growth in special forces. Those that disagree with Rumsfeld are soon out of a job, so no one disagrees with him anymore.

We may not be dominating the enemy, but we have a lot of people running around in high tech gear and not providing much presence.

Posted by: Mike Rentner at October 6, 2006 11:07 AM

Thank you for your service to our country.

Posted by: barking spider at October 6, 2006 11:37 AM