Significantly Stressed
Posted by Michael Link on February 6, 2008 at 12:38 PM
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Michael Mullen, said today that US forces are "significantly stressed" and that "the pace of ongoing operations has prevented our forces from fully training for the full spectrum of operations and impacts our ability to be ready to counter future threats."
That's a pretty strong national security argument against the extended 100 year stay in Iraq that John McCain is making a key point in his platform this primary season.
It also points out one of costs that's sometimes noted, but not often fully discussed in this debate -- the cost of our attention being focused elsewhere.
One of the most-cited examples is Afghanistan, where -- as Mullen notes -- there is "a growing insurgency, increasing violence and a burgeoning drug trade fueled by widespread poppy cultivation."
Just add that to the list of "small costs."
Comments - 9 »
Comments - 9 «
Posted by sunny on February 6, 2008 at 01:42 PM
By the way the Michigan National Guard is shipping out to Iraq. Is this a reflection of a build up overall? We need to start fighting the Bush way machine while we have the attention and money to do so. After the election may be too late. A lot of damage can be done before the Democratic President gets in.
Posted by coloconnect on February 6, 2008 at 04:37 PM
"Significantly stressed"?
Is that like "sorta pregnant"?
Our military passed "significantly stressed" about three years ago.
Try "worn down to a nubbin", or "totally exhausted".
That's be a lot closer to the turth.
Posted by Butte on February 6, 2008 at 05:50 PM
Correction: It should read "That's a lot closer to the truth."
Once again I am proving that my typing ability had a lot to do with me becoming a mechanic. LOL!
Posted by Butte on February 6, 2008 at 05:54 PM
This a problem that McCain needs to be hammered on.If he intends to stay in Iraq another 100 years he needs to bring back the draft, and find a way to finance it without passing tax increases. It is amazing that Republicans think they can have their cake and eat it too. Make Bush Tax cuts permanent and keep going further into debt, financing this ignorant war. What happened to Bush growing the economy and eradicating the defecit by 2010? Don't hear anymore about that do you?
Posted by chambax2 on February 6, 2008 at 06:42 PM
Draft Republicans first!!!!
Posted by Butte on February 6, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Better yet, Draft Bush,Cheney,Rumsfeld and every single Republican to fight in the Iraq war.
Posted by Darien on February 7, 2008 at 06:06 AM
I'm a staunch Democrat but I think it's important to be honest with ourselves and our historical behavior.
The number of active duty divisions of the army were greatly reduced, nearly halved, during the Clinton administration. It does us no good to pretend to be surprised or dismayed at current troop levels.
As stated, I am a proud Democrat, but if Hillary Clinton is our nominee I will stay home on election day. I will not vote Republican, but I will not vote for her in any capacity. I believe Mr. Obama is our only hope of moving forward and NOT repeating past mistakes with past players.
Posted by KiloDevilDad on February 10, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Our armed forces are on the brink of falling apart and walking away in large numbers. The war over in Iraq can't conture like this much Longer. Are only hope at this time is for Obama to get the presidented not Hilary.
Posted by jedimaster1988 on February 17, 2008 at 11:08 PM
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