Why the U.S. Must Get Out of Iraq, Pronto

[Contrary1]

Interesting outlook from a retired general:

"There is nothing to gain and everything to lose in Iraq. We have
lost over four thousand of our military, those who were killed in
Iraq and those who died in intransit from Iraq to our hospitals in
Germany and in Europe. We have had over 10,000 of our troops
wounded. According to a report I heard last night on Frontline on
PBS, 1 in 6 of our people coming home from Iraq need mental help.

(personal comment: I have heard rumors that those who die in transit
are not among the "official" count, not to mention the soldiers for hire
and other non-military casualities.)

What have we gained in Iraq? Absolutely nothing.
What have we lost? Our leadership in the world militarily, morally
and financially.

<snip>

As a man of three wars, from Korea to Viet Nam to Gulf War I, I am
embarrassed by such men as General Mattis. If he was under my
command, I'd have him disciplined for ignorance and leading his men
astray. No, it is not "fun" to kill people.
Killing is a serious business, not something you brag about to
businessmen or to the media about. We never told our men to kill for
the fun of it. You killed to save yourself and to achieve an
objective, never for the "fun of it"...

more...
http://www.corvusworld.com/getoutnow.htm

[Djinn]

1. not alltogether too often I agree with generals (retired or otherwise)

but this one I agree with completely

:kick:

[merh]

2. I agree with the General in all respects but his use of a pseudonym!

General Upman is a pseudonym for a retired general who would rather
not reveal his name because of his former leadership positions in
the U.S. Staff Leadership and because he does not want to argue with
old friends at the officers clubs when he visits.

It's a damned shame he won't stand up and be recognized!!

How sad it is that our nation has sunk so low! :cry:

[Just Me]

15. I can't blame him for engaging in self-preservation,....

,...and I have to believe that he is justified in fearing serious retribution.

It is sad that our nation has reached a place where people do not feel safe to freely share their concerns and opinions.

[Contrary1]

16. I was just getting ready to post the same thought...

I debated whether or not to even start this thread because the author did not use his real name. But many at DU believe that people are "suicided" when they know or say too much.

Given the story out today that the Italian journalist released in Iraq disputes the US version of what happened, I figure we will see more of these type articles where the writer chooses to remain anonymous.

[merh]

17. If he is a general, with the sentiments that he holds and the

experience he claims, his courage and love for this nation should over ride the concerns he has for "self-preservation". We need leaders to speak out against the direction our nation is going and the evils we committing under the guise of "freedom and democracy".

His writing has no credibility if he does not claim it!

[mhr]

3. When I Served In The Navy, All Of The Senior Officers I Met

To a man, saw war as the last option - never something that was optional and done on a whim.

This included officers in the combat arms.

What has happened to the military leadership of today, I'll never know or understand.

[Maple]

4. It doesn't mean anything

without his name though.

Without that, it could have been written by anybody.

[Skittles]

9. I think that too

it can't be considered credible if no name is given

[sendero]

12. Seconded...

... it is a nice set of words but without atrtibution it just looks like another Republican propaganda screed coming from our side.

Too bad. Personally, I think visiting the officers clubs is less important than our country, but what do I know? :(

[phusion]

5. 4,000?

Does he have some kind of source for that? I've always wondered if we aren't getting the fully casualty count...

:(

[physioex]

6. I agree....

Where did this number 4000 come from? But I am also skeptical about the 1500 number seems a bit low as well..... So what exactly is the real number... :shrug:

[TheWatcher]

7. That's the problem

WE do not know the real number, and sadly I don't think we ever will.

I don't for a second believe the 1500 number.

The question is, how long can things like this be covered up?

Surely at some point the dam on this is going to break.

Right?

But then again, we've been saying that for four years.

No scandal ever seems to break these people. No crime they commit, no atrocity they commit, ever goes challenged.

NOTHING sticks.

They can lie at will and they have the Media in their pocket.

NO coverage of Coffins arriving is EVER allowed.

And with the incident with the Italian Journalist, it seems quite clear they are not shy about killing ANYONE who might be a threat to them.

Exactly what can stop this madness at this point, I am not sure.

But there is one thing I do know.

It seems the TRUE Darkness is just beginning.

Mark my words.

Things are about to get bad. REALLY bad.

[OneTwentyoNine]

11. Umm....someone needs to dig the HELL into this......

And see if he mispoke or if where this number is coming from.

[sendero]

13. The implication..

... is that only those who died immediately on the battlefield are counted in the 1500, those who died on their way to the hospital or a couple days later are not.

I really don't know but it would not surprise me at all.

[merh]

14. There was a DU thread with a link to a site that said the

total killed was more like 6,000 - those that died en route to the hospitals and in the hospitals. Don't you know that is why they set up temporary hospitals in Iraq and don't set up a "real" hospital. They don't want soldiers dying in country if they don't have to. They don't want to add them to the count! Bastards! :argh:

I'll see if I can find that link...

Edited to add link to DU thread with links!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3152861

[Pam-Moby]

8. Remember "Your with me or against me"!!

We all know that B*sh has manipulated the people in charge of the military to the point of appointing people that are yes men!!! He also has manipulated the true facts about how many have died on our side as well as their side. Like his mother had stated, "Why should I bother my pretty mind with thoughts of people in body bags". This is a sad day in the world when someone as sick in the head is the leader of the strongest country ever known to mankind and is trigger happy
to push his one sided views on everyone else , even if them ideas do not jive with the truth!!!!

[Boo Boo]

10. Not that I don't agree with what this guy's saying...

But the source of this article is pretty flaky. Anybody could have wrote the thing, and the web site itself is in a state of disrepair. Try going to the base URL, notice the hammered JAVA, then click "Enter."

Doesn't inspire much in the way of confidence, eh?

Don't suppose somebody has another, more credible source for this article---do they?