Here’s the question: The war in Iraq; is the U.S. winning?…For Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, the Army chief of staff known for his straight-shooting bluntness, it proved a hard one to answer…
Schoomaker paused for more than 10 seconds after he was asked the question — lips pursed and brow furrowed — before venturing: "I think I would answer that by telling you I don't think we're losing."
Good answer. I don’t know what it means though. Perhaps he has decided to abandon his straight-shooting bluntness style, because now he sounds just like his boss.
(Now we are in trouble…when generals start to sound like politicians, it’s the beginning of the end.)
Having worked around a few Generals and an Admiral I dare venture to say you need to read between the lines. I wonder if what the general is saying is that the military is winning the war but the politicians are losing it, or if he believes we are winning the war but wouldn't swear on anyone's soul.
ReplyDeleteBut I don't want to read between the lines. Even if I disagree with him, he should at least tell it like it is...even you say, "I wonder if what the general is saying..." No one should have to wonder.
ReplyDeleteYeah but high ranking officers are politicians, if they weren't they'd never become Generals and Admirals.
ReplyDelete