The Rumsfeld memo

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Motorboat Cruiser

we could have flown them to a military base in the US, trained them sans the distraction of death threats and bombs, then returned them to the country. It would have greatly reduced the defections and made them better trained soldiers who stood a far better chance of doing their job effectively and enthusiastically.

That would have also required them to leave thier families, who certainly would have also been exposed to the same sort death threat, bombings, and kidknappings they currently are experienceing, so I'm not so sure you'd have as willing a set of recruits.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Where is your quote from, Nephy?

This is from the Washington Post:

Asked by Sen. Carl M. Levin (D-Mich.), the ranking Democrat on the committee, whether "you believe we're currently winning in Iraq," Gates answered, "No, sir." He repeated the assessment when asked the same question by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

That would have also required them to leave thier families, who certainly would have also been exposed to the same sort death threat, bombings, and kidknappings they currently are experienceing, so I'm not so sure you'd have as willing a set of recruits.

All good points that I hadn't thought of. I'm not sure those are insurmountable issues but they would be difficult to overcome.

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by Motorboat Cruiser

Where is your quote from, Nephy?

This is from the Washington Post:

Apologies-

Link

Appears the other source edited the quote.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

Appears the other source edited the quote.

I'm shocked and appalled!

[Scrooge McSam]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

Appears the other source edited the quote.

That could be true, of course, but there may be another explanation.

The 2 times Gates was asked if the US was winning and answered "no" were in the morning session before they broke for lunch.

After lunch, Gates came back and said he wanted to extend his comments on that subject so as not to give the troops the impression he thought they were failing in their mission.

Could be the WashingtonPost wrote their story before the panel reconvened for lunch.

Link

[Nephythys]

Plausible.

Bottom line- he did not say we were losing. So to use him as some kind of proof that we are losing- or that no one believes we can or will or are succeeding in Iraq is inaccurate.

[wendybeth]

Could also be that he was spanked for saying what he believed, and later revised his position. Just a thought.

[Nephythys]

Funny- I was waiting for someone to say that

[CoasterMatt]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

Could also be that he was spanked for saying what he believed, and later revised his position. Just a thought.

WOW! That lady on the bus gets around!