BernieHund: The Political Watchdog

At last, the truth from General Casey

“The cumulative effects of the last six-plus years at war have left our Army out of balance, consumed by the current fight and unable to do the things we know we need to do to properly sustain our all-volunteer force and restore our flexibility for an uncertain future,” said Gen. George Casey, chief of staff of the Army.

We can only hope the Senate Armed Services Committee is listening, because we all know the White House is deaf.

Enlistment is down.  The “stop loss” program to retain existing troops isn’t working.  And, our troops are tired.  That sums it up. 

If there was a legitimate reason for the war, enlistment would be up, troops wouldn’t be looking for an escape hatch, and we would have fresh troops to send in.  Because America knows we were lied to and this isn’t a war about taking democracy anywhere, enlistment offices are empty.  No one is willing to die for a Bush lie.  And, those who are already caught up in the debacle want out.  When our veterans come home, they are mistreated or ignored and this time it isn’t by angry citizens in protest.  The mistreatment is due to government inadequacy and failure to treat our soldiers with the care they need.

It’s about time that the administration realize that even the most patriotic of Americans aren’t willing to die just for the hell of it.  We need a reason to volunteer and that’s something the Bush-Cheney plan hasn’t accepted.  And, we have a reasonable expectation of receiving proper care for our veterans and soldiers when they are returned home with PTSD and physical disabilities.  Again, something Bush-Cheney isn’t willing to accept.  So, G.I. Joe is tossed aside like a broken toy.

So, yes!  The troops are tired.  The troops are stressed.  And, yes, it’s time to bring them home.