TOPICS
TOPICS
Democrats criticize Pentagon on delayed return of troops
Two Democratic lawmakers are criticizing the Pentagon's decision to keep soldiers in Iraq beyond their one-year deployments.
Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., said Defense Secretary Rumsfeld's decision to extend service will affect members of the 842nd Engineer Company from his home state. The delayed return of these troops "is a direct result of the president's failure to internationalize this effort in Iraq," Johnson said in his statement. "While we cannot cut and run from our commitment in Iraq, the American public must understand the enormous price we pay, both in money and lives."
There are roughly 137,000 troops serving in Iraq. Before the recent upswing in violence among Sunni and Shiite insurgents, the Pentagon had planned to lower that number to about 115,000 after the transition to Iraqi sovereignty June 30.
But Rumsfeld said Thursday the Pentagon will continue to use the level of forces necessary to prevail. "You can't predict the future, you just simply cannot do that, so why bother?" Rumsfeld said during a news conference.
But Johnson criticized the Bush administration for its failure to detail an exit strategy for troops in Iraq and asserted that the June 30 deadline will mean little to soldiers on the ground waiting to return to their families.
"The president must articulate a plan that brings an end to this situation -- one that brings our troops home as soon as possible," he said. As the father of a soldier who served in Iraq, Johnson said he empathizes with the families of South Dakota Guard members. He said local communities face continued strain as the deployment of soldiers, some of whom are first responders back home, will be extended for as many as four months.
Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., asked Rumsfeld and other top officials Thursday to return the Madison and Milwaukee-based Wisconsin National Guard 32nd Military Police Unit from Iraq as scheduled. Baldwin expressed her dismay that unit members waiting to board a plane home after a year of service in Iraq were "literally pulled out of line and told that their combat stay will be extended 120 days." The letters were also signed by Rep. Gerald Kleczka, D-Wis., who has constituents in the unit.
"We face a difficult challenge in Iraq, and it is clear that you must examine all deployments in light of operational requirements," Baldwin wrote. "However, this National Guard unit has served in Operation Iraqi Freedom for an entire year with great courage and commitment. Because of the harmful impact of extended deployment of these citizen soldiers, we ask that you not extend their deployment and return them home as scheduled."
COMMENTS
- Another prime example of an incompetent Congress! Vote these idiots out of office! Congress should establish the plan to get out of Iraq and they should have done it before they voted to allow the President to go in! Extending military stays is a result of changes in the situation and that has to be considered. Congress got rid of the draft and now we rely on a volunteer military so you have to extend time because you have no alternative of a draft (a Congressional problem not a Presidental problem!). These Democrats are either very stupid or just interested in re-election but they sure are not interested in doing what is best for the country! Congress voted to go into Iraq and they were stupid for doing it without a plan! Now the Patriot act is going to retire and Congress should be smart enough to see that they took away the freedom we are fighting for to preserve our freedom - how stupid can they get. Do not renew the Patriot Act because is is unpatriotic! tax payer Posted April 21, 2004 6:59 AM
- After reading this article and in conjunction with other articles I've read on the same subject I'd like to say the following to the folks in DC. You people started this mess. Now keep your mouths SHUT about how to run the war and let the career military professionals do their job. Give them all the support they ask for by whatever means necessary. But let them do their job. Which in case you all have forgotten is to actually win the war. Now get out of the way! Next item. Somebody put a muzzle on Rumsfeld and keep him away from the press. He's doing more damage to our country and it's morale than to Iraq. And last but certainly not least, don't you people EVER dare pull troops waiting for a plane ride home out of line just to extend their tour of duty with no warning. Perhaps my comments won't change a thing. But I'm going to say it while others stand silent. Art Doss Posted April 20, 2004 9:07 PM
- "You can't predict the future, you just simply cannot do that, so why bother?" Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld said this? A major part of his job, is to predict the future. Since he can't do it, I will help him out a little. I predict that: 1. "W" will not carry the military vote as he did in the last election. 2. Re-enlistments in the military will drop. 3. College students will finally come out and vote. And, seeing their counterparts dying in IRAQ, they will vote for the Democratic Party candidate. 4. The draft will be necessary, if gasoline under $2.00 a gallon is the goal. 5. There is no one in IRAQ to turn over power to in June. 6. As the presidential election approaches there will be more and more deaths among our soldiers. 7. "W" will lose the election. (He will win Florida again.) 8. The Democrats, after going through the motions, will turn IRAQ over to a "legitimate government in IRAQ". 9. The blood bath will start in IRAQ. 10. One faction will get the upper hand in IRAQ. 11. There will be no Democracy in IRAQ just old scores being settled. Our politicians, at the end of speeches, like to say "... God Bless America." I think a better phrase would be "... God Help America." Alger F Davis (USAF 68-72) Posted April 17, 2004 7:07 AM
