Lieutenant General Gregory Newbold USMC

[MillRatUSMC]

Lieutenant General Gregory Newbold USMC
NY TIMES NEWS SERVICE , WASHINGTON
Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006,Page 1

The three-star Marine Corps general who was the military's top operations officer before the invasion of Iraq expressed regret, in an essay Sunday, that he did not more energetically question those who had ordered the US to war. He also urged active-duty officers to speak out now if they had doubts about the war.

Lieutenant General Gregory Newbold, who retired in late 2002, also called for replacing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and "many others unwilling to fundamentally change their approach."

He is the third retired senior officer in recent weeks to demand that Rumsfeld step down.

In the essay, in this week's issue of Time magazine, Newbold wrote: "I now regret that I did not more openly challenge those who were determined to invade a country whose actions were peripheral to the real threat -- al-Qaeda."

The decision to invade Iraq, he wrote, "was done with a casualness and swagger that are the special province of those who have never had to execute these missions -- or bury the results."

Though some active-duty officers will say in private that they disagree with Rumsfeld's handling of Iraq, none have spoken out publicly. They attribute their silence to respect for civilian control of the military, as set in the Constitution -- but some also acknowledge that it would be professional suicide to speak up.

Newbold served as director of operations of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from the summer of 2000 through the Sept. 11 attacks and the war in Afghanistan. He left the military in late 2002.

[beaufort bob]

Gen. Newbold is right on target. Rumsfeld has done a good job in screwing up our military and alienating our allies with regards to Iraq. Even one of our own, Gen. Peter Pace, refuses to question Rumsfeld. Since Hagee is stepping down early, could it be that Pace wants to say goodbye to the Joint Chiefs and become the next Commandant??? Stay tuned.

[redneck13]

[COLOR="DarkGreen"] Dat Burn it, if everyone up there in Wash. would keep their noses out of the one's who want to win this thing, get it over, come home, itda be great. Too bad it has to be you have to get out before you speak....but the military is not a democracy, which some youngin's think it is. I hope more and more Officer's Senior SNCO'S won't be afraid to speak out. But remember....Rummy works For King George, and this is his little puppy, his personal war. And somebody is goin' to make some money on this, with lives lost.

Rum Dumb, he can't tie his shoes. It's sad, now more and more evidence is pointing to a lot of doubt about this war. "BRING 'EM HOME." Protect our land. SF/COLOR]

[beaufort bob]

You said it!!

[Camper51]

Rummyworld needs to step aside but prissie Bushie who Sees All Evil, Hears All Evil, and of course Speaks All Evil, is too blind to see this and is intent on having it his way, or the highway, no matter who is killed or harmed in the process!!!! Bring our Women and Men home NOW!!!!!

Semper FI