‘The risk [to U.S. military readiness] …is significant,’ the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman told lawmakers last week. Iraq Shredding U.S. Military ReadinessBy Cliff Montgomery – Feb. 10th, 2008A classified Defense Department (DoD) report has concluded that extended tours of duty in Iraq–along with continued terrorist actions and the war in Afghanistan–have kept the American military from properly preparing for any new crises, according to The Associated Press (AP).There’s a “significant” chance that our already-taxed U.S. troops could not quickly respond to a new emergency in another part of the world, declares the study.Last year the DoD quietly heightened its U.S. military vulnerability analysis from “moderate” to “significant.” For 2008, the study apparently will more boldly declare that our military’s “significant” risk is brought on in great part through the Bush Administration’s insistence on continuing the nation-building of Iraq.The fact that invading Iraq was based on the administration’s deception, deceit and outright fraud almost certainly will not be mentioned in the Pentagon report, however.The DoD–an office of the Executive Branch–has instead given the Bush White House all the protective spin it can. Pentagon spin doctors told reporters Friday on condition of anonymity that “efforts to increase the size of the military, replace equipment and bolster partnerships overseas will help lower the risk over time,” a burst of wishful thinking to say the least.The Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, Adm. Mike Mullen, has finished the risk assessment; the report is expected to be provided to Capitol Hill later this month. DoD officials on Friday told AP that the report has been completed.Since the declared risk is “significant”, the study will be accompanied by a statement from Defense Secretary Robert Gates summarizing actions the DoD is taking to diminish the threat.Marine Gen. Peter Pace, Mullen’s predecessor, raised the risk level to “significant” last year.Mullen discussed his risk assessment last week with Congressional lawmakers.”The risk [to U.S. military readiness] has basically stayed consistent, stayed steady,” Mullen informed the House Armed Services Committee.”It is significant,” he emphasized.Mullen added that our troops’ 15-month tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan simply are too long, and should be decreased to 12 months. The Admiral added that our troops also need longer rest periods back home.”We continue to build risk” to our military strength by maintaining such demands on our troops, he told lawmakers.Without the fruitless nation-building of Iraq, our military of course would not have these problems, and would easily handle most threats.But this White House must continue the Iraq mess regardless of consequence, for the same reason Lyndon Johnson had to continue Vietnam: To stop a war he himself started for no good reason would mean certain impeachment and permanent dishonor.Like what you’re reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of thee-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
How Necessary Laws Are Killed These Days
Lawmakers generally only fight to protect the things they care about – and all too often, that just doesn’t include the lives of most of their constituents.
