« Passing a Shell of A Bill: Congress’ Secret Plan to Ram Through Health Care Reform | Main | Awesome Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the United Nations »
September 24, 2009
Vets For Freedom Petition: Give Our Generals in Afghanistan What They Need!
.
The Obama administration is waffling on providing our troops what they need for success in Afghanistan. The internal debate in the White House swings between declaring defeat and sticking it out, but no voices appear to be raised in favor of Victory. So the procrastination drags on and our troops and the people of Afghanistan suffer for it.
Sgt. Daniel Bell, the Missouri State Captain of Vets For Freedom asks that you sign this petition to pressure the president to give General McChrystal what he needs to do the job!
Sgt. Daniel Bell writes…
Fellow Vets for Freedom members:
My name is Sergeant Daniel Bell and I’m the Missouri State Captain of Vets for Freedom. Much more importantly, I served as a Special Operations Medic under General Stanley McChrysal in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Serving under General McChrystal–one of the most frequently deployed service members to Iraq and Afghanistan–gave me a first-hand perspective on this man’s dedication to our country. Whether I was listening to one of his briefs, or flying alongside him on a mission, Gen. McChrystal’s decisive leadership was always evident.
He always instilled confidence in the men of his task force by leading the way–and being on the ground–during dangerous missions. If there ever was a commander who knows what is taking place on the ground, and understands why type of strategy we need to win, it is Stan McChrystal.
There is no military leader I respect more than General McChrystal. Our troops in Afghanistan could not have a more competent and dedicated commander, and I’m committed to doing anything possible to ensure General McChrystal is given the support he needs to turn the tide in Afghanistan.
Please join me in supporting General McChrystal by signing the Vets for Freedom “Give the Generals What They Need” Petition.
Move out and draw fire!
Sergeant Daniel Bell
U.S. Veteran, Iraq and Afghanistan
Missouri State Captain, Vets for Freedom
.
Here is what the Petiton says:
To the President
We, the undersigned U.S. war veterans and patriotic Americans, petition you with one simple request:
Listen to the commander on the ground in Afghanistan—General Stanley A. McChrystal—and provide him with the troops he says he needs to win the war in Afghanistan.
By accepting the troop recommendations of General McChrystal—and his boss General David Petraeus—we have a chance to turn the war in Afghanistan around. This is a moment in history we must not miss.
Like General Petraeus in Iraq, General McChrystal is an outside-the-box thinker who thrives in the ambiguity of asymmetrical battlefields. Like General Petraeus in Iraq, General McChrystal has the right strategy—a comprehensive counterinsurgency plan.
In 2007, General Petraeus was given the troops he needed (the "Surge") to win, and Iraq has turned around—resulting in dramatically lower U.S. casualties, a more stable Iraq, and a drawdown of American forces.
General McChrystal—and all our brave Soldiers and Marines on the ground—deserve the same chance to win in Afghanistan. They deserve the additional troops needed to turn a winning strategy into a winning result.
We fully acknowledge that the war in Afghanistan has been tough, and is currently headed in the wrong direction. And as you have said, it has been under-resourced, under-funded, and under-manned for years. You have also said that it is a war we must win. We agree on all fronts.
Unlike Iraq, there was consensus at the beginning of the war in Afghanistan that America must be successful in toppling the Taliban and dismantling Al Qaeda, for the safety of our country. Eight years later, the consensus on the war in Afghanistan is fractured; however we believe—as do you—that the need for victory has not changed.
During this time of domestic uncertainty and global threats, winning the war will require steadfast Presidential leadership; a Commander-in-Chief who is unwilling to be swayed by lagging poll numbers or party leaders who want to block troop increases.
Now is the time for your leadership. If you listen to commanders on the ground, give them what they need, and stand behind our warriors in Afghanistan—we will stand with you. If you don't, and would rather fight the "war of necessity" with one hand tied behind our back, then we will loudly object.
Many—in fact a majority—said the war in Iraq was "unwinnable," yet our troops persevered and turned the tide. Despite the drumbeat of detractors—on both sides of the aisle—this is another war we can win. But we must act now.
We owe it to the Marines and Soldiers slogging it out with insurgents every day to get this right. If we do, they'll fight, they'll persevere, and they'll win. If we don't, we are setting them up for failure. No less than America's greatness—and the legacy of America's finest warriors—is at stake.
.
Wild Thing's comment......
This is soooo important. Nick and I both have signed this petition.
......Thank you RAC for sending this to me.
RAC has a website that is awesome. 336th Assault Helicopter Company
13th Combat Aviation Battalion - 1st Aviation Brigade - Soc Trang, Republic of Vietnam
Posted by Wild Thing at September 24, 2009 02:37 PM
Comments
Signed and delivered. I certainly believe in Gen Petraeus. I am not sure about Gen McChrystal, but I like his attitude toward obama and I will believe SGT Bell. Those of us from the Vietnam era know what happens when politicians take over war handling from the generals. I think a PFC could run a war better than obama and his 600 advisors.
Posted by: TomR at September 24, 2009 07:25 PM
Thanks WT. I'm not so sure about McChrystal, but I agree our military leaders need support and a CIC that listens. I did sign the petition and I did it for Gen Petraeus and our troops. LBJ surrounded himself with the incompetents like Ramsey Clark and Robert S. McNamara, that slab of granite at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial has their legacy etched on it in blood. Tom, yes, a PFC has discipline and training as well as having passed his competency tests and his birthright requirements.
Posted by: Jack at September 24, 2009 11:44 PM
Tom, thank you, I feel exactly the
same way. I have a lot of respect for
Gen Petraeus.
Gen McChrystal on the other hand I want
to but I just don't.
Why didn't Gen McChrystal stand up to Obama
about the horrible R.O.E.'s that are getting
our troops killed?????
GRRRRRRRR
Posted by: Wild Thing at September 25, 2009 12:24 AM
Jack, thank you.
Same here about Gen McChrystal for me too.
Not a solid feeling about him at all.
Posted by: Wild Thing at September 25, 2009 12:26 AM
