If You Vote For Hillary...

As a veteran who's been there twice, most recently returned four months ago (today hits the mark). I can tell you that, had the complexion of this war been different people would not knock Hillary for voting for the war. Lets not forget that the administration pretty much deceived politicians like Hillary on the hill. But of all the people they deceived do you know who was deceived the most?

Yes, US...American citizens--the Bush Administration, backed by Karl Rove had the majority of us wound up in their politics of fear. If you guys could carefully recall the 2004 election you would realize the message by the Bush campaign---"America, if you don't want another terrorist attack, give us four more years. If you dare vote for the other candidate, you will die."--that was the message in 2004. 9/11 unfortunately presented a grand opportunity and the reigning administration took it and ran with it. They scared Congress into authorizing this war even without the support of the U.N--Hillary took a major gamble voting for the war. think about it people, 9/11 brought a time of unity---had Hillary voted against this war it would only fuel the already existent argument that she is a polarizing figure. THAT was not what America needed at the time---it is the same reason why Gore folded in 2000 in the face of a messed up election, it is the same reason why General Shinseky (I know people who served with him in Kosovo) was dropped because he dared to clash with Rumsfield about the amount of troops that went into Iraq. And it is the same reason why Collin Powell stepped down when Bush was re-elected...its the simple yet bitter truth of it all called politics.

I am a Sergeant, formerly in the US Army...currently I'm in the Air Force (yes we military folks can switch houses too lol). Chances are, there may be a retired General roaming around this site so I won't go saying I am the expert yadda-yadda. I am going to tell you the main reason why we lost so many of my brothers (and sisters) in arms. It is not only because of our slow adaptation to a new style of war that we should have learned from through Vietnam. It was mainly because of our troop numbers....Rumsfield remodeled the military in what we call 'transformation'. in doing so, he envisioned a smaller Army that relied heavily on technology and light speed air power. in the initial push I think the number of troops was at 60,000. That cannot get it done against a third world country that had caches of weapons and homemade explosives. That was what Shinseky warned about, it cost him his job...he wanted us to invade with no less than 140,000 troops. Rummy instead, eager to test his newfound military (an idea he actually modeled after Hitler's military...check the history books and you will see Blitzkreig) pretty much said scr*w you and sent in 60,000--more than half less.

Then cam another huge glitch that I call the Turkey factor...I won't violate OPSEC (Operation Security) by telling you which division but we were supposed to push through Turkey from the north and then squeeze baghdad from the south. Turkey's parliament blocked us from doing so, thus providing us a catastrophic setback. Folks, I promise you that there would be casualties...but not as much if we sent in at least 140 to 200,000 troops. With that number, we would have combed through Iraq, stemming the undiscovered caches of weapons, Al Quaeda in Iraq would have been broken before they even began. The Rules of Engagement also killed us, and still does. The Pentagon also had trouble managing its numbers, we rushed off to war without a proper build up--we took an Army built for the trenches and the jungle to an Urban-style combat affair, that right there spelled death for us. We were so far behind the curb that when I went to basic in 2003 we were still learning World War II doctrines. Then by the time I went on my second tour to Iraq in 2006 the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) started adjusting our training tactics and philosphies.

My point is, do not put the blood of our men and women squarely on Hillary's shoulders. What did us in....is right up there and I can assure you that 90 percent (maybe more) of the troops will back everything I wrote in the paragraphs above. The Iraq war is a winnable one, we just needed to be brought up to speed on the tactics, we never really learned from our shortcomings in the Vietnam war, sorry if I offended anyone....obviously not my intention. Just thought it would be appropriate to share what I've learned. My medals and combat patches gave me that right. I do thank you all for supporting us---just hang in there, we can win this war. What we need is better management, and a less arrogant approach. Hillary, more than any other candidate provides that approach.

Welcome to politics - American politics in particular has always been about the lesser of two evils...- but the situations that require political decisions are incredibly complex, you can make an informed decision, or a poor decision, but you have to make a decision.

I think George Bush made a disastrous decision, but he had to make one...and considering the complexity of the situation, and just how little real perspective he had outside of his cabinet and surroundings...well not surprised how things turned out.

Hillary Clinton voted for the war, knowing that she couldn't vote against it (politically)...who knows, she might have even agreed with the war, who really knows. One thing for sure, is she's setting up the deck, for an election run...

Politics is an ugly beast, it puts self-interest above the interest of others, it is the pantheon of our political system that puts image and impression, above any kind of substance. Is Hillary Clinton like that? Well who knows, she's definitely a politician...

It is ironic how nobler politicians become after being president, look at Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Al Gore...look at the world of good they have done outside of politics, but by using their name and political connections

I don't think you can blame Hillary Clinton, because it's endemic of the political system - of American political culture, do you think Guliani, or Edwards, or Bush is any different? I doubt it.

But Josh...did you see the evidence that was presented to Congress by the White House and the Pentagon???? It was very convincing evidence. I know they regret their decision after what turned up to be NOTHING in Iraq. I forget why we went there in the first place. There were so many lies that were told not only to the American public, but to the world.

Clinton wasn't the only one that was fooled. Look at the countless countries in the world that have rallied behind the US to offer military support in Iraq.

Sure, most of us knew that something sounded fishy, especially when one of the top US military officials in Afghanistan went to the press and announced that their mission was no longer to find Osama bin Laden. The search had been called off.

Thing is...Hillary can't be the fall guy in all of this. Obama is on the same committee as her.

Either way, no matter who wins the presidential race, we're still screwed.