OpEdNews » Was General Pace Fired Because He Balked at Iran

Re: Maj. Jeff Thornton's March 17 letter "Where are the facts?"http://www.stripes.com/.... : George W. Bush's own military records and history shows him to be unfit for the title of commander in chief. That Mr. Bush "allowed himself" to be placed in front of many others in line for a slot in a Texas Air National Guard unit should have been enough to keep him out of the White House. Let's not concern ourselves with the fact that he did not complete his own military obligation. By right, he should have been placed on active duty after missing the number of meetings he missed.

But, for something a little more recent: On Jan. 14, 2003, I heard Mr. Bush say on national television that he had not made up his mind about invading Iraq. We all know now that that statement was a lie and many of us knew it then. I'll always remember that date, because the next day my son left home to begin basic training.

Mr. Bush has given many different reasons as to why he invaded Iraq. He will not acknowledge he went into Afghanistan with too few troops, boots on the ground. He is responsible for those of us not supporting the decision to go into Iraq being labeled "unpatriotic." He was directly responsible for the display of the banner reading "Mission Accomplished" on the ship. Mr. Bush was directly responsible for sending too few troops into Iraq and without the equipment needed to fight the war.

More recently Mr. Bush lied about not knowing that the damage from Hurricane Katrina would be as bad as it was. Now what else would Maj. Thornton and those who think like he does about their beloved George W. Bush want to know? I served in the military during five different administrations and never was I ashamed to call any of our presidents during that time my commander in chief. I'm glad I departed the military before George W. Bush took office.

Sgt. 1st Class Bobby McGill (retired)
Valrico, Fla.

See, http://www.democraticunderground.com/... http://www.stripes.com/...

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TOP BRASS CONTRADICTING BUSH AND RUMSFELD'S PRONOUNCEMENTS

Reuters reported on 3/14/06 that Congressional testimony of Gen. Peter Pace, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, directly contradicted statements made Monday by Bush and Rumsfeld alledging Iranian responsibility for Iraq explosive devices. The President and Defense Secretary had said that the most powerful IEDs were being manufactured in Iran, but Pace stated that information was not verified. http://go.reuters.com/...
An AP story on 11/30/2005 reported that General Pace contradicted Rumsfeld during a press conference. The two spoke together regarding prisoner abuse by Iraqi troops. In ane xchange before reporters, they differed regarding the duty of US personnel to intervene and stop prisoner abuse. http://www.dailykos.com/... ;

By WILLIAM C. MANN
The Associated Press
Wednesday, November 30, 2005; 3:19 AM

WASHINGTON -- The nation's top military man, Marine Gen. Peter Pace, said American troops in Iraq have a duty to intercede and stop abuse of prisoners by Iraqi security personnel.

When Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld contradicted Pace, the general stood firm.

Rumsfeld told the general he believed Pace meant to say the U.S. soldiers had to report the abuse, not stop it.

Pace stuck to his original statement.

"If they are physically present when inhumane treatment is taking place, sir, they have an obligation to try to stop it," Pace told his civilian boss.

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Former computer/communications marketing and product strategist. Currently teaching part time in retirement.
Alan MacDonaldFormer computer/communications marketing and product strategist. Currently teaching part time in retirement.

Two reasons for Pace sacking

Levey, excellent analysis and recap of the whole sordid Bush fascist cabal's reasoning for sacking Pace --- who had publically defied them on launching a 2nd preemptive war, this time on Iran.

The only additional point I would add is that the Bush junta has a strong second reason for wanting Pace out and not to be questioned by Congress in a renomination hearing:

Not only does the Bush fascist cabal want a Chairman and Vice Chair of Joint Chiefs that will ‘push the button’ when Bush neocons next order a nuclear war on Iran (which Pace wouldn’t do in February), but the second essential reason for replacing Pace is that if he were re-nominated, and appeared before Congress there is at least some distinct possibility that some Senator on the Armed Services Committee (Kennedy or WEBB) might ask something like this:

“Well, General Pace, there was guite a bit of discussion this February about the possibility of the Bush administration launching an attack on Iran, and as I note here from several reliable sources, including a memo that you yourself issued, there was a great deal of underlying tension among the Senior Military Officers regarding this possibility of a second ‘preemptive’ attack by the Bush administration in the Middle East on another country, Iran.”

“In fact, there was a great deal of talk in the mainstream media and here in Washington itself about a threat of senior military resignations if the Bush administration tried to launch a second attack in the Middle East on Iran instead of Iraq this time in, as I said, February of this year. Now General Pace, as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, I have to ask you what your position was on nay of this talk about launching a war on Iran this February. I’m sure you are aware of what I am talking about. You seemed to be very resistant to any such preemptive war plans, yourself — and we thank you for your restraint, General — but we would like to know more about that timeframe of February of this year, and the professional military commands’ reaction to this heavily reported difference of opinion between the military and the Bush administration about any talk of launching an attack on Iran. And, General, in anticipation of your ‘good soldier’ reply to my question touching on confidential information, let me just say that I myself and several other Senators on this Committee would be entirely willing to continue this questioning in ‘Executive session’ with regard to any security issues.”

by Alan MacDonald (10 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 85 comments) on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 8:10:31 PM

Robert Chapman is greatly interested in developing political awareness among as many people as possible.
Robert ChapmanRobert Chapman is greatly interested in developing political awareness among as many people as possible.

Pretty Peter Pace

Shockingly enough for the Bush Administration, Pretty Peter Pace was fired for incompetence.

Even the Bushies can see that his generalship was a major factor in the Iraq debacle.

by Robert Chapman (28 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 556 comments) on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 8:49:02 PM

Sherwood Ross has worked as a publicist for Chicago; as a reporter for the Chicago Daily News and workplace columnist for Reuters. He has also been a media consultant to colleges, law schools, labor unions, and to the editors of more than 100 national magazines. A civil rights activist, he was News Director for the National Urban League, a talk show host at WOL Radio, Washington, D.C., and holds an award for "best spot news coverage" for Chicago radio stations for civil rights reporting. He is t...

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Sherwood RossSherwood Ross has worked as a publicist for Chicago; as a reporter for the Chicago Daily News and workplace columnist for Reuters. He has also been a media consultant to colleges, law schools, labor unions, and to the editors of more than 100 national magazines. A civil rights activist, he was News Director for the National Urban League, a talk show host at WOL Radio, Washington, D.C., and holds an award for "best spot news coverage" for Chicago radio stations for civil rights reporting. He is t...

to see more of bio, click on member name

General Pace

The New Yorker reported last year that General Pace opposed the White House's wish to consider nuclear war against Iran. Even the Pentagon ain't that crazy --- or wasn't. That all of the Republican candidates on this issue at their debate last week replied nuking Iran is okay reflects the total lunacy of their party, and its disrespect for international law and humanity generally. Looking back, those such as President Truman who justified the atomic bombing of Japan allegedly to "save American lives", apparently failed to consider the dangerous and terrifying precedent the threat of nuclear warfare would establish, and at a cost to the American people over the years of $7-trillion of their tax dollars for creation and maintenance of its nuclear arsenal, money that could have been infinitely better thrown away in a Las Vegas casino.

Sherwood Ross

by Sherwood Ross (192 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 131 comments) on Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 8:01:21 AM

American against War and Violence. Writer, English Teacher, Inventor, Creator of the First Manmade Floating Farm On The Ocean.... My companies name is ACET: Algae Charcoal Ethanol Technicorp. We grow Algae for Oil.
Dom JermanoAmerican against War and Violence. Writer, English Teacher, Inventor, Creator of the First Manmade Floating Farm On The Ocean.... My companies name is ACET: Algae Charcoal Ethanol Technicorp. We grow Algae for Oil.

Pace Was Fired For The Same Reasons As Rumsfeld

Pace was instrumental with Wolfowitz in designing the no plan to invade Iraq. He is a war monger, torture authorizer, nothing more and nothing less. Iraq is continuing to fail, and the pressure is on to change things. They know Pace would have a difficult time for confirmation, because it would bring up a sleu of things to remind the stupid voters who can't remember yesterday how really bad these war mongers are. If anything Pace is pro Iran invasion, but they are going no where when Iraq remains in shambles.

by Dom Jermano (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 40 diaries, 930 comments) on Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 8:45:51 AM

I'm a retired person from the construction industry, covering more then I'd like to list. My hobbies are building anything that looks interesting. Football is my fav. sport with the Sleelers my team. My best fun is watching our local Div. 3 football team, The Mount Union Purple Raiders. I'm long time married and my passion today is making every effort to convince people that they may be supporting the wrong person. My favorite music is what people call Jazz and old rock and roll. My ...

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drasileI'm a retired person from the construction industry, covering more then I'd like to list. My hobbies are building anything that looks interesting. Football is my fav. sport with the Sleelers my team. My best fun is watching our local Div. 3 football team, The Mount Union Purple Raiders. I'm long time married and my passion today is making every effort to convince people that they may be supporting the wrong person. My favorite music is what people call Jazz and old rock and roll. My ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Pace Was Fired

There is no real reason that General Pace was replaced. I'm just glad to see him leave because he reminds me of one other bastard that the stupid Fox Geeks call a war hero. I don't even like to type his name for fear that I'd catch the clap or something worst. The Democrats will get blamed for it, no matter what. It would be nice if the good General would write a tell all book but I hear that he can't type or spell well enough to write a book.

by drasile (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 77 comments) on Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 4:37:14 PM