What's up with the Pentagon, and various generals, criticizing the President's position in Syria?

[bobGandolf]

They are all talking about "boots on the ground," and how it will probably be necessary for the U.S. to go that route. That is a total contradiction on what the president emphatically stated about no ground troops. Last I heard the president was still the commander in chief. I hope to hell there are repercussions for that crap.
Then on tonight's news I see Leon Panetta saying, "I told you so" about Iraq. What a bunch of backstabbers in DC.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

1. It really depends on the context

The only statement I've seen where anyone in the military was talking about there being boots on the ground in Iraq was General Dempsey when he was testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee. He said that if he felt it was necessary, it would advise the President to that effect.

I don't see that as a criticism, I see it as testifying under oath. I would expect him to tell the truth about what he would do.

[Kaleva]

9. +1

[Adam051188]

2. presidents don't really matter. the u.s. is not a democracy.

a hair under ten percent of u.s. presidents have been assassinated in office. that tells you all you need to know.

[Octafish]

3. There were a few ex-retired four-stars looking to make a buck on tee vee.

Other than them, nothing from the active duty folk. They're loyal, by the book sorts.

[Sopkoviak]

4. Maybe he needs to remind some of them

That President Truman fired General Douglas MacArthur for daring to publicly criticize Truman's strategy in Korea.

It could happen again.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

5. Douglas MacArthur was active duty when he criticized President Truman's policies

Which active duty generals have criticized President Obama's policies?

Retired military members are free to say whatever they choose..

[alarimer]

19. And most of them are getting paid by various right-wing "think" tanks.

So that puts another spin on the issue.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

20. Absolutely!

But to me, it still comes down to whether what they're saying is right or wrong, once they're retired they have every right to say it.

[underthematrix]

6. Yep. The President has a serious roach problem

[SickOfTheOnePct]

7. Again

Which active duty generals or other officers have criticized the President's policies?

[Lochloosa]

13. Keep trying. It takes a while go get through the noise.

[TwilightGardener]

8. Panetta's always been a worm--and a loyal Clinton lackey.

I don't know why he held two Cabinet positions for Obama, but he pops up from time to time to try to "distance" himself from whatever he thinks might make him look bad in retrospect. Most of the commentary is from RETIRED military officials who feel the need to spout off.

[jwirr]

10. The MIC would not exist if it did not have its cheerleaders.

[Lurks Often]

11. The Generals have a duty to both the President & Congress

so if they are testifying in front of Congress, they have a duty to answer the questions Congress puts to them as honestly as possible, even if that testimony isn't what the White House would prefer be said.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

12. +1 n/t

[840high]

14. +2

[indepat]

15. Me thinks those in the military who criticize the policies/actions of the commander-in-chief

need to make sure the door doesn't hit them in the asses on their way out of the military with bad conduct discharges.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

17. I would agree

if anyone were actually doing that.

[yeoman6987]

29. Lol. Your trying. A for effort!

Some will not understand what you are saying because active and retired are one in the same to some. Education would help and you are providing that.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

30. It's sad though

That some don't want to be educated.

Down thread, the OP links to what he was talking about, and yes, the general in question is active duty, but he wasn't criticizing the President or his policies, he was testifying about what his advice would be if the current policy didn't work as expected.

I guess now we expect people to lie under oath or face the accusation of not supporting President Obama.

[morningfog]

16. Current generals are not criticizing Obama's plan. They are simply previewing what's to come.

They are speaking prospectively, not as a current criticism.

[bobGandolf]

18. I was lazy...

should have taken the time to be specific. What I said was true, but I should know better and use quotes/names.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

21. What concerns me

Is that you are calling for repercussions against retired military members for voicing their opinions.

***edited to add: If by repercussions, you mean financial, such as boycotting network sponsors, boycotting businesses owned or promoted by these people that are criticizing the President's policies, etc., then I have no issue with that. But when you mentioned the President being the CIC in the same breath as repercussions, I took that to mean that you believe there should be legal repercussions. I apologize if I misunderstood.

[bobGandolf]

23. I did not say retired.

The one I saw on TV was active. That's why I was shocked.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

24. I've not seen anyone active duty

that was criticizing the President's policies, and I would be very shocked if that were true.

Was this on an interview or news show? Or clips from somewhere else?

[bobGandolf]

25. News show

I'm pretty sure it was NBC or a Boston affiliate. I'll look around, and see if I can find the clip.

[bobGandolf]

26. Here's the link

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/17/world/middleeast/isis-airstrikes-united-states-coalition.html

[SickOfTheOnePct]

27. Yes

That's General Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, testifying in front of Congress.

He didn't criticize the President and he didn't criticize the President's policy. He was testifying and answering questions under oath.

And for this, you want him to suffer "repercussions"? Seriously?

“My view at this point is that this coalition is the appropriate way forward. I believe that will prove true,” General Dempsey said. “But if it fails to be true, and if there are threats to the United States, then I, of course, would go back to the president and make a recommendation that may include the use of U.S. military ground forces.”

Where is the criticism of the President's policies?

As I suspected, much ado about nothing.

[lpbk2713]

22. It's in their interest that the gravy train keeps rolling.

And they get a lot of support from RW Cong Critters and their favorite PACs.

[skippy66]

28. Anyone who criticizes President Obama is

RACIST