Now the wh is concerned about 'politicizing' the war?

[babylonsister]

Military wants more views on Iraq reports

September's assessment put too much focus on Gen. Petraeus, say officials concerned about the war's effect on public support.

By Julian E. Barnes, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
November 26, 2007


WASHINGTON -- Top military leaders at the Pentagon want to avoid a repeat of the last public assessment of the Iraq war -- with its relentless focus on the opinion of a single commander -- when the Bush administration makes its next crucial decision about the size of the U.S. force.

Concerned about the war's effect on public trust in the military, the leading officials said they hoped the next major assessment early next year would not place as much emphasis on the views of Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top American commander in Iraq, who in September spent dozens of hours in testimony before Congress and in televised interviews.

Defense officials believe his testimony succeeded in muting a congressional debate and in giving them breathing room for their counter-insurgency strategy, but at a potentially high cost. In addition to the burden on Petraeus, some officials believe, an incessant spotlight on one general risks politicizing the military and undermining the public's faith that military leaders will give honest assessments of the war's progress.

"This is not Dave Petraeus' war. This is George Bush's war," said one senior official, underscoring the military's view that its role is to carry out the decisions made by political leaders.

The senior official, like others interviewed for this article, spoke on condition of anonymity because the administration has not made final decisions about how next year's assessment, planned for March, will be presented.

Despite security improvements in Baghdad, Americans continue to hold deep reservations about the Iraq war. Some military leaders are worried that the unpopularity of the war has eroded public confidence in the military and in top military officials.

Although support for the military remains high, there is a basis for such concerns. An annual Gallup poll in June found that 69% of the public had confidence in the military, down from 82% in 2003.

more...

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-trust26nov26,1,7684143.story?coll=la-headlines-frontpage&ctrack=3&cset=true

[spanone]

1. now THAT'S funny....bwahahahahaa

[Gman]

2. When the Iraq commander's own boss has called him an

ass-kissing little chicken-shit, it tends to take away from his credibility.

[Angela Shelley]

3. in holding to the facts

Please substitute "attack / invasion" for the word "war"

[MiniMe]

4. They don't want anybody to politicize the war except for them

[magellan]

5. Why don't they just patent it as "Not My War"?

It would make denying any culpability for it so much easier.

"Look here! This is Not My War!"

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. Maybe Grand Imperial General Bush should don his flight suit to restore confidence in the military.