The "General" Public

There should be no doubt, the so-called surge is working, but, in September, I am afraid General Petraeus will downplay the positive effect for fear of appearing too partisan. It is sad that in today's society and political environment it is unacceptable for a general to be…well, a general. Even worse is an ambivalent public afraid to root for their own team.

"Our strategy in going after this army is very simple. First we are going to cut it off, and then we are going to kill it."

It's an honor to cover the men and women here in Iraq, they are truly the best our country has to offer.  I really thank all those who have supported me so far, I could not have done it without you.

I promise to keep bringing you the stories, images and details you won't find in the mainstream media, I also promise to bring you the voices of those you hear the least--the troops here on the ground.

Thanks for listening and I appreciate all the mail. 

Keep those comments coming and take the polls!

Sincerely,

Matt Sanchez

   

Please Contribute

Americans applauded Colin Powell's comments at a press briefing during the Gulf War, back in the early 90's, but today such a comment would be met with calls for investigations and the possibility of war crimes. It seems that as society becomes more comfortable, softer, emasculated, the idea of a general who says things generals generally say, during a time of war, is completely unacceptable for a public "at peace."

Generals lead the military and the function of a military, a good military, is to defeat the enemy. Yet, we live in a society that frowns on little children playing soldier and that attitude is projected on grown-ups engaged in the real thing. As citizens, we have become like impatient customers at a fast food restaurant, eyes rolling if we have to wait a little longer for the fries.

Petraeus, the hired help, is supposed to get the job done, without making too much noise. The general seems to understand this and has quietly gone to work. Unlike past generals leading his troops, Petraeus has yet to give his men and women a rallying call, an appeal for victory. It is as if he were expecting to get a scolding look of disapproval from an arms-crossed paternalistic public.

I like General Petraeus, he's what a presentable CEO is to a profitable Fortune 500 company. Casualties, civilian deaths and attacks are down, and the general can make a great presentation to the American public, come mid-September, but leading the world's most powerful military is more than a positive PowerPoint presentation. As Commander of Multinational Forces in Iraq and leader of the 160,000 troops currently fighting in theater, the General's responsibility is to the welfare of his troops, not to the fickle political interpretation of his mission.

Those who view the conflict in Iraq as a bumper sticker will ask what victory is, and that's where we get to some of the problem. Personally, I'm convinced there are many American who would like for the United States to "loose" in Iraq, and then there are those who think there simply can be no victory. The media has done its share in blurring the line so that defeat would look something more like an enormous mea culpa to the "international community", some would consider this a favorable outcome.

Despite the lack of vocal support, there are plenty of officers working hard to win the war in their area of operations. In Western Baghdad's Dora neighborhood, Lieutenant Colonel James Crider and his soldiers of the 1-4 Cavalry, 1st ID have decreased the violence and murder in the neighborhood. Like most servicemen, the soldiers of the 1-4 Cav will not boast of victory, most maintain they are "just doing our job."

Make no mistake, Baghdad, and especially Dora are dangerous neighborhoods, but the 1-4 Cav work round the clock and assiduously to improve all conditions there, and guess what—it's working. New shops opened for pedestrians that would not dare the streets just a few months before. I'm willing to bet the residents of this small contentious Baghdad neighborhood have more faith in the American military than many Americans back home.

Patton, one of the most successful and colorful generals of the 20th Century, was a man obsessed with one thing—victory. Can anyone imagine a present day general saying this?

"Americans love a winner. Americans will not tolerate a loser. Americans despise cowards. Americans play to win all of the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed." Speech to the 3rd Army 1944.

Sadly, sixty years later, even the idea of Petraeus patriotically speaking in front of a two-story flag would probably offend many on the home front. Between the pacifying military reality of Baghdad and the brutal political reality of Washington, the lead general is caught in a Chinese finger trap, if he relaxes to wiggle out, he'll look weak, and if he pulls too hard he will appear pro-war. It is a game forced on him in his role as "military ambassador to the American public" instead of Commander of Coalition Forces in Iraq.

"If I could only have one [thing] at this point in Iraq, it would be more time." -- General David Petraeus July 10, 2007

To a man leading the most powerful military in the world, it is disconcerting that Petraeus' greatest concern may not be enemy action but public dissatisfaction. As an embedded reporter with the American military, I write these words from Iraq, where I've never met a "pro-war" Marine, soldier; just troops who want to successfully complete their task. There are those who are opposed to this war and those opposed to the idea of war itself—I suspect these are the groups who denounce children playing pretend war in school yards, but when it comes to supporting a true war on a real battlefield, the troops should expect real support.

It's an honor to cover the men and women here in Iraq, they are truly the best our country has to offer.  I really thank all those who have supported me so far, I could not have done it without you.

I promise to keep bringing you the stories, images and details you won't find in the mainstream media, I also promise to bring you the voices of those you hear the least--the troops here on the ground.

Thanks for listening and I appreciate all the mail. 

Keep those comments coming and take the polls!

Sincerely,

Matt Sanchez

   

Please Contribute

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Comments

[Papa Ray]

Yea, but some of the people I talk to whisper support for the troops and their mission, but won't say it out loud around friends and family.

Why is that?

We better find out and soon, because if we don't it will only get worse.

Our Republic will not stand much longer as a free Nation, if we don't.

Papa Ray
West Texas
USA

[Gary Carpenter]

Papa Ray, you're right! People don't have the guts to stand up for how they REALLY feel about this war and our troops. I, however, make no bones about it. I own a business and from the moment a customer walks in the door, they know how I feel. I display signage to support the troops and a Bush/Cheney campaign sign that won't come down until the day they leave office. My business hasn't suffered one dime of profit by doing this. In fact, it has increased. I would encourage everyone to be as bold to show and voice their support. Great article, Matt!

[David M]

Trackbacked by The Thunder Run - Web Reconnaissance for 08/28/2007
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day...so check back often.

http://thunderrun.blogspot.com/2007/08/web-reconnaissance-for-08282007.html

[Chris Waltham]

Matt, I have to disagree with you on this one. If the White House, and not Gen. Petraeus is writing the report, how do you expect objectivity? The current administration's allegiance is to themselves (witness the firings of Gen. Shinseki and others); not to what the DOD tells them. Unfortunately. :-(

[Cate Nick]

This American still loves winners. And I place our troops in that class. The Libs and the Media are so loud maybe you can't always hear us , but we are here rooting for the home team.

[Donna, Los Osos, CA]

I hope the General just says what needs to be said, and disregards the rest. He can't control the media, the traitors, or the politics. From everything I have read, he is the best man for the job. We are blessed to have him.

[Rob]

I have visited Afghanistan twice and have friends and relatives who have been to Iraq. The troops have been magnificent. We will win this war and our country will survive as long as we have soldiers like these.

We had magnificent troops in Vietnam too. They crushed the Viet Cong's Tet offensive and virtually wiped out the Viet Cong. But when Nixon was destroyed politically, Liberal Democrats relentlessly cut all support to Vietnam and the North Vietnamese Army ultimately invaded and took over.

Our military did not fail us. Our politicians did. Lets not let that happen again.