Big trouble for Bush.........Troop morale in Iraq hits 'rock bottom'

[59millionmorons]

WASHINGTON – US troops facing extended deployments amid the danger, heat, and uncertainty of an Iraq occupation are suffering from low morale that has in some cases hit "rock bottom."
Even as President Bush speaks of a "massive and long-term" undertaking in rebuilding Iraq, that effort, as well as the high tempo of US military operations around the globe, is taking its toll on individual troops.

Some frustrated troops stationed in Iraq are writing letters to representatives in Congress to request their units be repatriated. "Most soldiers would empty their bank accounts just for a plane ticket home," said one recent Congressional letter written by an Army soldier now based in Iraq. The soldier requested anonymity.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0707/p02s01-woiq.html

Stories like this can do some real damage. Rove doesnt want too much of this reported.

[Catch22Dem]

1. And so far he's succeeding

CSM isn't exactly "mainstream" media.

[59millionmorons]

2. Not so fast

Judy Woodruff and Bill Press both talked about it today.

[Tinoire]

3. Not really

Military families and spouses have mounted a letter-writing campaign refusing to shut up and threatening to go stand in front of local stores with their babies in their arms to get their men back home.

These women will kick Bush's ASS. These women are NOT playing around.

What's worse is that the soldiers themselves are complaining and writing. This is really bad for Bush- the writing on the floor. Maybe someone will be kind enough to read it for him!

Let's call it Operation O-U-T-R-A-G-E

Peace

On edit: read in a newspaper article the other day that a Full-Bird Colonel had to be escorted out of a room under armed guard because 600-800 ANGRY military spouses could not be brought under control- yelling and screaming "BRING OUR MEN HOME NOW!".

More power to them!

[krunkjunglist22]

4. right on

I know alot of my fellow servicemen and their families that have changed there stance on the war in the past 3 months. Especially the reservist.

[ConsAreLiars]

5. 800 seething spouses

From the NYTimes 7/4 edition:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/04/national/04FAMI.html

Frustrations became so bad recently at Fort Stewart, Ga., that a colonel, meeting with 800 seething spouses, most of them wives, had to be escorted from the session.

"They were crying, cussing, yelling and screaming for their men to come back," said Lucia Braxton, director of community services at Fort Stewart.

[ward919]

6. Hey, most of them voted for the Commander-in-thief...

Remember the hell about the "military votes" in 2000 election?
Remember how the troops "dissed" Clinton and screamed about military absentee ballots. I hate our soldiers are being killed and their families are suffering...but every action comes with consequences. We were all so "gun-ho" about "kicking Iraqi ass" never giving any thought to the innocent lives that would be lost...Iraqi women and children. Either we pack up and get out of Iraq or stop whinning about attacks by disgruntled Iraqis. We are an invading, occupying military force, afterall.

[OrdinaryTa]

8. What Bush Promised

Bush promised a new respect for the military and a restoration of an aggressive foreign policy. Nobody had to read between the lines to understand what he was implying. Vote for me and I'll give you a satisfying, easy victory. He didn't exactly renege on that promise, because he kept up his end of the deal. The landing on the aircraft carrier said "Mission Accomplished" - a message with two meanings.

Unfortunately, the Iraqis aren't rolling over and playing dead as predicted. And the American troops who enjoyed the early part of the war are unhappy about these latest developments. People don't welcome foreign armies. It shouldn't come as a surprise.

[lpbk2713]

7. Two Bushes...... two wars.......

..... and still Sadam is giving us the finger. They can't do anything right. If this troop morale issue wasn't so serious it would be comical to see how the Shrubites put a spin on this to say it is all the Liberals fault.

[bigwoody]

9. these people need to calm down

We haven't "liberated" all the oil in Iraq yet. Oil is the lifeblood of modern capitalism and these troops are on a mission from above to secure that oil. Think of it as a higher calling. Six years on active duty did teach me 1 thing, if the average ground pounder has any political leanings, they are usually conservative(shouldn't suprise anybody out there). I'm sure that bj's in the wh now seem trivial to some of these people compared to the perpetual war that chimpy seeks, with them and their families as pawns. It's a little like the cocaine tests for the rats, push the button-get cocaine. Chimpy sees war as his and poppies highest approval ratings; therefore chimpy wants war 24/7. He's a 1 trick chimp!