General Disregard

Bush spoke at his future (but not soon enough) home, the Crawford ranch, Saturday, refusing to promise more troops out of Iraq before he’s out of Washington. And he says it’s up to the generals what gets done.

At the news conference, Bush said decisions about troop cuts – beyond those now planned through July – would be based on recommendations from his generals.

Oh? You mean, just like he listened to General Eric Shinseki?

General Shinseki, who as Army chief of staff publicly told Congress (more troops were needed) just before the war began in 2003.

First vilified, then marginalized by the Bush administration after those comments, General Shinseki retired and faded away, even as lawmakers, pundits and politicians increasingly cited his prescience.

Or just like he listened to General John Abizaid?

Gen. John P. Abizaid, the departing commander of American forces in the Middle East, told Congress late (in 2006), “General Shinseki was right that a greater international force contribution, U.S. force contribution and Iraqi force contribution should have been available immediately after major combat operations.”

Or just like he listened to General George Casey?

Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the senior American commander in Iraq, said (in July, 2006) that “terrorists and death squads” were responsible for the surge in sectarian killings here in recent weeks, and that there might be a need to move more American forces into the capital to prevent the deadly cycle from worsening.

Think Progress has more on how much respect this administration has had for its generals.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.