Washington Times Smears ‘War Czar’ Candidate Gen. Sheehan For Taking On Cheney

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/21/sheehan-cheney/

Washington Times Smears ‘War Czar’ Candidate Gen. Sheehan For Taking On Cheney

The White House recently considered Gen. Jack Sheehan to fill the post of ‘war czar.’ Sheehan refused the position, explaining that the “residue” of war hawks like Dick Cheney is preventing “pragmatists” from producing the policy change that is needed. Sheehan wrote a Washington Post op-ed explaining his position:

We cannot “shorthand” this issue with concepts such as the “democratization of the region” or the constant refrain by a small but powerful group that we are going to “win,” even as “victory” is not defined or is frequently redefined. … These huge shortcomings are not going to be resolved by the assignment of an additional individual to the White House staff. They need to be addressed before an implementation manager is brought on board.

For taking on Cheney, the right-wing Washington Times published a smear screed against Sheehan on Friday. The Times’ military reporter Bill Gertz — who frequently propagates information that comes from Cheney’s office — wrote that Sheehan is a “liberal military officer” and a “defeatist” opposing the Iraq war.

Gertz goes on to claim there have been many “shortcomings” in Sheehan’s career. Engaging in guilt-by-association tactics, the Times tries to link Sheehan to convicted spy Ana Belen Montes. He also writes that Sheehan walked out of a speech by neoconservative James Woolsey on Wahhabist terrorism.

Sheehan pushed back on what he called “character defamation,” noting the White House would not have considered him if his reputation were so tarnished:

Gen. Sheehan, in an e-mail, dismissed both claims about his candidacy for the czar post and past ties to Montes as “incorrect.”

Before being asked by the White House, “I am sure they checked my credentials and the record indicated I was an American who had served both Republicans and Democrats,” Gen. Sheehan said. “Deal with the issue at hand on an objective basis, not character defamation.”

The Washington Times’ selection smear job against Sheehan conveniently omits the fact that a key administration ally and escalation proponent, Gen. Jack Keane, also turned down the post.

Is it possible that Dick Cheney — who has a history of smearing people who speak out against him — was peddling information to the Washington Times as vindictive payback against Sheehan?

[BOSSHOG]

1. I suggest gertz challenge the General to a duel.

One does not get promoted to FOUR STAR GENERAL with many shortcomings in his career. One does not get promoted to FOUR STAR GENERAL for any shortcomings on his career. One does not get promoted to the enlisted rank of E-7 for any shortcomings and that is several paygrade below General Sheehan's paygrade of O-10.

Walking out on James Woolsey? General I salute you.

Or maybe gertz can set up a fair debate between the General and that brave hero cheney.

[pretzel4gore]

3. i often dream of someone beating woolsey like the family mule..

during leadup to iraq war, there was a 'townhall meeting' which included woolsey as a guest....woolsey was pressing for war and the 'liberal' on the panel was not very effectively opposing what was a diplomatic affair (if that) at best. At one point, the liberal stood and walked near where woolsey was sitting, and i thot-how cool it would be if he beat woolsey to pulp saying 'I'm the USA, this man is Iraq; do you see how one sided an attack on little Iraq would be?" etc meanwhile basicly thumping that murderous bastard until he was yelling 'uncle'....this fantasy has sustained me as i watch what the woolseys of the world have wrought, the sheer mindless waste and horror...

[Monkeyman]

4. Well said

[BOSSHOG]

5. Hello Monkeyman, Happy Saturday

How many four star generals or admirals do you know who have several shortcomings in their career?

Advancement with shortcomings only works for republican office seekers.

[Monkeyman]

6. None They Have Earned that Rank

But I do see Bush given Rank to certain people now. After The Grade of Railroad Tracks with CIB They Earned that rank.

[annabanana]

2. It really IS all Cheney or Rove, isn't it?

They are making ALL the decisions for our Country right now, just the two of them.