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November 20, 2007 at 10:21:22

Time for a Military Coup

by Kevin Gosztola     Page 2 of 2 page(s)

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He was joined by "Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Eaton, who was responsible for training Iraq's military and police in 2003 and 2004, and retired Marine Col. Thomas X. Hammes, who served in Iraq in 2004 and helped establish bases for the reconstituted Iraqi armed forces.”

Batiste was so incensed in October of 2006 that he and another military general called for a Democratic takeover saying the GOP has got to go. It’s too bad that Democratic takeover has not changed anything for these frustrated military men.

Retired general William Odom, former head of the National Security Agency reported to the Guardian in the UK in 2004 that: "Bush hasn't found the WMD. Al-Qaida, it's worse, he's lost on that front. That he's going to achieve a democracy there? That goal is lost, too. It's lost...Right now, the course we're on, we're achieving Bin Laden's ends."

The Guardian went on to report this in the same article:

W Andrew Terrill, professor at the Army War College's strategic studies institute - and the top expert on Iraq there - said: "I don't think that you can kill the insurgency". According to Terrill, the anti-US insurgency, centred in the Sunni triangle, and holding several cities and towns - including Fallujah - is expanding and becoming more capable as a consequence of US policy.

"We have a growing, maturing insurgency group," he told me. "We see larger and more coordinated military attacks. They are getting better and they can self-regenerate. The idea there are x number of insurgents, and that when they're all dead we can get out is wrong. The insurgency has shown an ability to regenerate itself because there are people willing to fill the ranks of those who are killed. The political culture is more hostile to the US presence. The longer we stay, the more they are confirmed in that view."

Moreover, Jeffrey Record (also in this same article) stated that, “I see no exit...We've been down that road before. It's called Vietnamisation. The idea that we're going to have an Iraqi force trained to defeat an enemy we can't defeat stretches the imagination. They will be tainted by their very association with the foreign occupier. In fact, we had more time and money in state building in Vietnam than in Iraq."

Thinking back to the time prior to the preemptive strike on Iraq, we remember that General Eric Shinseki told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he thought several hundred thousand soldiers would be needed for a successful military operation in Iraq. That number was ignored and disregarded blatantly by Donald Rumsfeld, which to some extent led to the military backlash that has occurred.

The question now is if a military backlash which should occur will occur before we make the mistake of striking Iran.

A Slate article asked the question in October of this year: “Should Generals Resign if Bush Orders an Attack on Iran?”

A military man in these times has a profound struggle to deal with right now, a struggle similar to what a German general under Hitler experienced. As Slate highlights, members of the military have a “duty to provide civilian decision-makers with unvarnished military advice on issues of warfare and the obligation to obey all lawful orders by superiors. Under the Constitution, the president is superior to the highest-ranked general or admiral.”

Further down in the article, however, it is mentioned that the Iran war if it involves a high threat to national security, could result in several forms of dissent such as "public information" (a euphemism for leaking to the press?), writing a scholarly paper, testifying before Congress, engaging in "joint effort" (plotting?)—and, finally, if all else fails to change things, resigning.”

However, Slate correctly shows that “when officers retire, they do so with full benefits, health care, and continued membership in the fraternity of military officers. When they resign, they give up all of that.” So, people must realize a soldier is giving up all that he signed up for when he steps down in dissent. He or she is making the ultimate sacrifice knowing full well it could have a negative impact on his or her future (Slate cites his fact as reason why it has been 40 years since a U.S. general resigned.)

An attack on Iran means more than just Iran retaliating and possibly annihilating our naval fleets, as they have threatened to do. It means that realist foreign policymakers could see their worst fears realized: Russia and China may intervene in defense of Iran if they deem that their interests in the region must be preserved. The likelihood of this must be considered as Iran was recently granted observer status to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), an organization that is growing in importance and power in Asia every day.

When right wing conservative policymakers and hawkish generals are condemning a war with Iran, it’s time for a military coup, a military coup that may end the careers of many but will save thousands even millions of lives.

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Kevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral system, its military-industrial complex, its foreign policy of American exceptionalism, its media which has become the Fourth Branch of government,etc.)
His ambitions have him currently organizing and raising money for a Chicago Conference for Media Reform in April or May of 2009. It will be organized by college students to promote youth involvement in media reform and justice. Those interested in attending or helping with the organization of the program should contact him.

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7 comments

Kevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral sys...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Kevin GosztolaKevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral sys...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Yes But This Time

The coup that speak of---one where military generals say they aren't going to stand for this anymore---involves patriotic dissent that would coincide and prop up the social antiwar movements in America. It would add a new dimension to cries for peace. It would not be achieving an end. Far from it. But it would be a means for getting closer to an end that optimistic Americans like me seek to achieve.

by Kevin Gosztola (231 articles, 127 quicklinks, 72 diaries, 895 comments) on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 3:52:51 PM
 


Father and businessman
AndyoFather and businessman

What Does Peace Mean?

Why don't you call the social anti-war movement what it really is - the America-must-lose-the-war-against-radical-Islam movement?


There can be no peace when they declared war on us - and that happened long before 911.

by Andyo (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments) on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 5:47:24 AM
 


i am a former teacher of 30 years with a history and political science major.I started getting politically active when Ronnie Regan ended my social security hopes for teahers
liberalsrocki am a former teacher of 30 years with a history and political science major.I started getting politically active when Ronnie Regan ended my social security hopes for teahers

never happen

the united states hasn"t the backbone of most latin american countries.We have had 2 crooked presidental elections,this is a proven fact and all America has done is yawn.For a coup to take place Americans would have to get away from their television sets and actually care about democracy.plus there is the fact Mr. Gosztola forgot about ,Bush has gotten rid of the generals who oppose him and appointed loyal stooges in their place.The air force has become a fundamentalist breeding ground loyal to the Repubs and not America.Who will lead a coup with the American people not caring how corrupt our government has become and the top militay leaders in Bushes pocket

by liberalsrock (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 126 comments) on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 5:43:13 PM
 


Jay Esbe is a writer with a background in cultural anthropology and comparative religion and lives in Seattle Washington.
EsbeJay Esbe is a writer with a background in cultural anthropology and comparative religion and lives in Seattle Washington.

If anyone wanted to drop a nuke on a country

If anyone wanted to drop a nuke on a country, for attacking the United States on 9-11, Israel should be the first in line.

 

No, I'm not advocating nuking Israel.  I wouldn't nuke anyone in response to 9-11.  It's disproportionate.  Kind of like destroying the entire country of  Lebanon for capturing an Israeli soldier.  Kind of like running over a teenage girl with a bulldozer for trying to protect a families home.

 

No, don't nuke Israel.  Just cut it off and let "the region" and natural law take effect.  Filthy murdering bastards! 

by Esbe (50 articles, 0 quicklinks, 17 diaries, 85 comments) on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 7:36:45 PM
 


Mail carrier who drives the rest of my colleagues nuts with my politics.
ScottMail carrier who drives the rest of my colleagues nuts with my politics.

Nuke Israel, huh?

There's a website by that name. I think it's run by Aryan Nations.

There will be no coup.

by Scott (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 579 comments) on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 11:36:41 PM
 


Father and businessman
AndyoFather and businessman

This Is Sad

Wow - Kevin, what planet are you from?


Your ignorance is only surpassed by your naiveté.

by Andyo (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments) on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 5:41:58 AM
 

 

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