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10thzodiac
06-19-07, 11:06 PM
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ON Point Editorial: An Analysis of General Pace’s Departure

06-11-2007, 10:59 AM • by ON Point (http://uscavonpoint.com/User/Profile.aspx?UserID=2106)

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced on Friday that General Peter Pace—the first Marine to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—would not be nominated for a second term. Publicly, Gates said that the Bush Administration was unwilling to endure a “backward-looking” nomination. It’s possible, however, that there were other reasons.

Pentagon troops (meaning, majors and lieutenant colonels) reacted in two ways. Some believed General Pace to be a sacrificial lamb to the evil cut-and-run Democrats who infiltrated Congress this past January. They found it unfair that such a charming, distinguished professional would be cut from the team. And they saw it as yet another sign that loss was being inflicted upon them by Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and the New York Times.

Other warriors had a different view. “[General Pace] has dishonored himself and dishonored the Marine Corps by his conduct—his weak, vacillating leadership and his craven pandering to political masters,” wrote Larry C. Johnson in an editorial. Johnson, a former CIA operator and counterterrorism expert, used the derisive nickname “Perfect Peter” to describe Pace’s Beltway-interior reputation. “Peter has been more willing than others to sell his soul for political expediency,” he wrote:

When I graduated from the Naval Academy in 1998, I—along with the rest of my classmates—briefly met President Bill Clinton. He spoke, and we all shook his hand after receiving our diplomas. The President gave each of us that famous misty-eyed look of his—the same look he gave America that won him two elections. The same look he gave Congressmen through game after game of political chicken. The same look he gave an intern that almost led to his impeachment.

<O:p</O:p
General Pace—minus the razor-sharp intellect and uncontrolled libido—appears to have been the Bill Clinton of four-stars. Like Clinton’s presidency, General Pace’s career has been defined by an informal system of polling—sensing the way the wind is blowing in a meeting, or around an issue, and then jumping in front, or out of the way. <O:p


And, like Clinton, General Pace has the look. I’ve seen that look myself, on the three occasions that I met him. Pace can take the emotion of the moment and express it. His eyes say, “I’m with you. I feel your pain.” And the general will mean it.

But in an odd performance for a general, Pace did not hesitate to offer that look in defense of his boss, former Secretary Rumsfeld, when a press corps was hounding him. “He works nights, he works weekends,” Pace said of a man who used him publicly as little more than a uniformed stooge for his policies. As Vice Chairman, Pace perfected the technique of offering Rumsfeld the honest military advice that the secretary wanted to hear. In return, Pace apparently got what he wanted—the Chairmanship.

The event that would have likely precipitated a “contentious hearing” came two weeks ago, when General Pace penned a letter about Mr. Scooter Libby to U.S. District Court Judge Reggie Walton, who would later sentence him to 30 months in jail for perjury. “I was always very impressed with Mr. Libby’s professionalism,” wrote Pace, hedging his language while hoping that his letter would in some way assist his old colleague—and perhaps be valued by his his political masters.

Although General Pace—like former President Clinton—has always known the right things to say for the photo ops, his letter on behalf of Libby seemed to reveal unpleasant truths about his character. Pace’s eye may have always been pointed towards currying favor with either his boss or his troops to further his professional ambition, instead of offering unvarnished military advice.

When he was a second lieutenant, he wanted to be the Commandant someday,” a Marine who knew Pace in Vietnam once told me, not admiringly. The man said, with pride, that he had been scuttled over to the Joint Chiefs because the Corps elite had rejected him so stridently.

<O:pGeneral Pace will be remembered as the first Marine officer to be the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. But if these statements regarding his reputation are accurate, the Marine Corps—and the U.S. military—will be better served

David J. Danelo is editor of ON Point.

greensideout
06-19-07, 11:51 PM
Think about it, all other people hate dealing with Marines because they don't understand us. They fear our confidence, our strength, our sounding off and our way of saying, BS---you are wrong. I think that is more then they can handle. :marine:

jetdawgg
06-20-07, 10:01 AM
I too think that Gen pace played 'politics' too much.

As the First Marine JCS this is a new area for us. Marines have never been provided the opportunity presented here. I am sure that Gen Pace used skills/made decisions that he considered 'questionable'.

The severe mismangement and ineptitude of this administration is boundless.

The firing of Gen Pace is just another blunder on the record. As I stated before Gen Pace kept us out of Iran.

This looks to me more and more like AIPAC money at work.

I am still with Gen Pace as he has tread where NO MARINE has ever strided before.:usmc:

ggyoung
06-20-07, 10:32 AM
GSO+++++++++++++++You are right.

OLE SARG
06-20-07, 10:32 AM
How in the hell can you be a General in today's military and NOT PLAY THE POLITICS GAME????????????????????????? Everything and everybody that has anything to do with anything is going to be involved in POLITICS!!!!!!!!!!!!
DDDDUUUUHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SEMPER FI,

Sgt Leprechaun
06-20-07, 11:55 AM
Someone once said, as soon as you reach Colonel, it's ALL politics.

Blaming AIPAC? Of course, it's always "THE JOOOOOS".

Crikey.

jetdawgg
06-20-07, 11:59 AM
AIPAC is paying for us to attack Iran. The new JCS will do that. Pace stopped this admin from doing so.

rheinmark187
06-20-07, 07:51 PM
now that he's out, I'd like him to speak his mind IF he's done other than that in his comments to the press. If he shows up as an analyst on FOX, CNN, CSPAN, NPR w/e I only have one thing to ask: PLS defend your Marines on trial or soon to be on trial for Haditha or the MARSOC operators. We know damn well what the Army brass thinks.

GySgtRet
06-20-07, 08:21 PM
this without offending others points of view here. GSO you are right on the money. General Pace is stepping down in Marine fashion. The Pentagon and the DoD were not ready for a Marine to be JCS. General Pace has defended his position several times in the past 6 years yes it does seem that he cannot be touched. But to put him in the same plain as slick Willy, not General Pace is way above the likes of that backwoods politician and bubba.

Other warriors had a different view. “[General Pace] has dishonored himself and dishonored the Marine Corps by his conduct—his weak, vacillating leadership and his craven pandering to political masters,” wrote Larry C. Johnson in an editorial. Johnson, a former CIA operator and counterterrorism expert, used the derisive nickname “Perfect Peter” to describe Pace’s Beltway-interior reputation. “Peter has been more willing than others to sell his soul for political expediency,” he wrote:
The POS that wrote this is disloyal to our country. I am glad he isn't still serving. I have heard remarks about General Pace through the years I have been retired since Oct of 93, General Pace retired me at Quantico. Some people have it all wrong about the general. I have spoken with Vietnam vets that served with him in country, notice I said served with him not under his command or anything demeaning to anybody else. He truly does care about the Marines that he serves with I know this first hand because he was my commanding officer for 39 months on recruiting duty. I only had to do 36 months but the RS was going for another record for recruiting and I felt that I could do more so I asked to be extended 3 more months to help out in anyway that I could. I felt compelled to do this becasue that is the kind of leader General Pace is. In general Paces' positions and commands that he has held for 40 years he made enemies no doubt, he is very direct and to the point he doesn't believe in beating around the bush.

I would consider it an honor to serve with him again under any circumstances. I consider him my brother and friend.

Semper Fi General Pace you have done a great job in the eyes of this Gunny.

Sgt Leprechaun
06-21-07, 05:50 AM
I love the so called 'experts' like this Johnson guy, who's basically cashing in on his former status/job to make a quick buck. What, exactly, does he know, anyway?

I'd trust opinions of Marines like the Gunny before some squirrely little CIA goof. "Counter terror expert". Riiight. Wonder how much real trigger time he's got?

jetdawgg
06-21-07, 08:24 AM
These idiots always play the 'no respect' card when it comes to the Marine Corps.

Somehow they think we only have brains enough to fight and win wars.

I hope that America stops underestimating the dynamic strength that stems from the Men and Women that serve and served honorably in the US Marine Corps.:usmc:

jinelson
06-21-07, 09:25 AM
I like Peter Pace he is a brother and one who has served well and remembers Vietnam well.. Below is a speech that he gave before he was nominated. <br />
<br />
Jim <br />
<br />
GENERAL PETER PACE- Vice Chairman of the...

jetdawgg
06-21-07, 09:28 AM
General Peter Pace was let go today as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. That's a good thing. But the administration has tolerated his poor performance for too long, and dismissed him fearing his anticipated reconfirmation hearing would be ugly.

If the administration was hoping to avoid answering the tough questions, by avoiding a reconfirmation hearing for Pace, they can forget it.
General Pace grossly overstepped his bounds and poorly represented the military with his political actions and misguided statements.

The straw that broke the camel's back, for us, was his defense of a convicted felon (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0605071libby13.html), Scooter Libby, when it was entirely improper for him to do so, as a top leader in the military, who must remain non-partisan.
General Pace has made a number of other missteps that reflected poorly on the military as of late:

On Memorial Day, Pace seemed to defend the President's failed policy by deliberating fudging American death numbers (http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Top_General_underestimates_US_fatalities_in_0528.h tml) from Iraq to sound not as high as they really are.

On March 11, Pace chose to publicly air his personal views on homosexuality, calling the lifestyle "immoral," (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070312pace,1,4954133.story) and said that was justification for the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on gays openly serving.

In today's press conference announcing the move, Secretary of Defense Gates maintained that one of the reasons for letting Pace go was to avoid a contentious reconfirmation hearing. They won't avoid the tough questions, if VoteVets.org has anything to do with it.

This president has to, and will, be held accountable. It doesn't matter how many people they let go. Congress has a job to do, and we expect that they will do it. We'll be there to be sure they do.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-soltz/peter-pace-is-out-good_b_51322.html
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Sgt Leprechaun
06-21-07, 09:38 AM
Stolz, as I said in the other post, is a flaming twit.

jetdawgg
06-21-07, 09:41 AM
I knew that the homos would come after Gen Pace. Stolz is aligned with them when it comes to Gen Pace

Sgt Leprechaun
06-21-07, 09:54 AM
I noted that also. I personally think it's the 'real' reason he had to be let go.

And, quite frankly, I'm less than impressed with W for doing so. And yet, he hangs onto Gonzalez for some reason. I can't figure it out.

Ah well. When Fred gets in there, with Ron Paul as VP, the country will be on the right track!

10thzodiac
06-21-07, 09:54 AM
Now I'm waiting for General Pace to do a 180 Smedley and do an Expos&#233; of the neo-con war !

Wouldn't that be interesting ?

How about it, "Perfect Peter" ?

jetdawgg
06-21-07, 09:58 AM
I noted that also. I personally think it's the 'real' reason he had to be let go.

And, quite frankly, I'm less than impressed with W for doing so. And yet, he hangs onto Gonzalez for some reason. I can't figure it out.

Ah well. When Fred gets in there, with Ron Paul as VP, the country will be on the right track!

That is doable for me. And that is the 'real' reason for letting Gen Pace go.

Those homos wrote to congress and complained about the Marine:usmc: .

It was his 'personal thoughts' something I thought that Marines were allowed to have. Now I know Marines can have personal thoughts as long as you keep the ones about homos to yourself

jetdawgg
06-21-07, 10:00 AM
Now I'm waiting for General Pace to do a 180 Smedley and do an Exposé of the neo-con war !

Wouldn't that be interesting ?

How about it, "Perfect Peter" ?

I think something like that has crossed his mind recently. He is in a great position to do so and as I stated before he kept us out of Iran.

This would get more coverage than Smedley did

drumcorpssnare
06-21-07, 10:16 AM
10thz- For you to dig up this article on Gen. Pace, and "cut & paste" it on this Marine Corps forum...is despicable. I know this is America, where we are all entitled to our opinions, blah, blah, blah.
If "this" is your opinion of Gen. Pace, 10thz, then I have lost all respect for you.
That's MY opinion, that as an American, I'm entitled to.:evilgrin:
drumcorpssnare:usmc:

ggyoung
06-21-07, 05:20 PM
10Z-------Gen.Pace is a outstanding Marine. He has been where no Marine has ever been before and this includeds you.

10thzodiac
06-21-07, 07:12 PM
10thz- For you to dig up this article on Gen. Pace, and "cut & paste" it on this Marine Corps forum...is despicable. I know this is America, where we are all entitled to our opinions, blah, blah, blah.
If "this" is your opinion of Gen. Pace, 10thz, then I have lost all respect for you.
That's MY opinion, that as an American, I'm entitled to.:evilgrin:
drumcorpssnare:usmc:

You wingnuts really know how to hurt a guys feelings, "No respect for you" http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/18.gif

FYI, until Perfect Peter has his Smedley epiphany, I'll have no respect for him and you can take a flying fuk at a rolling donut if you don't like it !

<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR title="Post 254926" vAlign=top><TD class=alt1 align=middle width=125>ggyoung</TD><TD class=alt2>10Z-------Gen.Pace is a outstanding Marine. He has been where no Marine has ever been before and this includeds you.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Yeah, you are right, you won't see this Marine sitting on Rumsfelds shoulder saying "Polly wants a cracker !"

JCam0331
06-21-07, 10:11 PM
I too think that Gen pace played 'politics' too much.

As the First Marine JCS this is a new area for us. Marines have never been provided the opportunity presented here. I am sure that Gen Pace used skills/made decisions that he considered 'questionable'.

The severe mismangement and ineptitude of this administration is boundless.

The firing of Gen Pace is just another blunder on the record. As I stated before Gen Pace kept us out of Iran.

This looks to me more and more like AIPAC money at work.

I am still with Gen Pace as he has tread where NO MARINE has ever strided before.:usmc:

Can we bring back Anthony Zinni?? :D

JCam0331
06-21-07, 10:12 PM
Now I'm waiting for General Pace to do a 180 Smedley and do an Exposé of the neo-con war !

Wouldn't that be interesting ?

How about it, "Perfect Peter" ?

How many megabytes of Smedley Butler porn do you have on your computer? And do you watch it daily?

good grief man.

OLE SARG
06-22-07, 08:36 AM
****head dirty, filthy harry nutbag reid and all the other lefty whacos who are bashing General Pace are the "Perfect Peters"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At least General Pace is serving his country which is more than I can say for nutbag reid, ms kerry, swimmer kennedy, bones pelosi, etc., or those who are trying to kill the USA!!!!!!!!!!!

'Nuff said!!!!

SEMPER FI,

10thzodiac
06-22-07, 09:29 AM
How many megabytes of Smedley Butler porn do you have on your computer? And do you watch it daily?

good grief man.

LOL, 50 years from now they'll be accusing some poor devil like me saying that about Perfect Peter after his apostasy.

I see you're into Zinni, be careful the next thing it'll be Shoup then before you know it, you'll want to some Smedley porn to byte http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/18.gif

You know what they say, "Liking leads to loving and loving leads to ****** http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/07.gif

redneck13
06-23-07, 09:08 AM
GSO, GySgtRet. and other's, have said it best....and he was or is the type of General I'd be proud to serve under. It's like the band bus driver telling his people...."Get in, sit down, hang on and shut up." Against "Gay's?" Why can't he say that? It has a lot to do with the military. Everything he's said has a lot to do with serving as JCS, or he wouldn't have said it. Some people don't have ears, only mouths to spew their vile puke. The Navy running the War? Give me a break!