On What the Troops Want

Yesterday, a number of Senators showed themselves too afraid to support the troops. Despite the fact that the military is overextended, the minority in the Senate again derailed efforts to give the troops the help that they need. More amazingly, when presented with a non-binding, toothless resolution that voiced support for the "Dwell Time Amendment," they voted for it - showing they are willing to pay the troops lip service, but won't stand up for them. Senators Warner, Murkowski, Specter, Alexander, Dole and Voinovich, especially, chickened out when the troops needed them the most.

The debate over the Webb-Hagel amendment was fast and fierce. VoteVets.org brought forty veterans to Capitol Hill to push for the bill, while the White House dispatched staff from the Joint Chiefs to lobby against it. Senators from both sides held press conferences and stake outs.

Amazingly, the one detail that we at VoteVets.org consistently tried to push, and not one media outlet picked up on, was what the troops think.

At the end of last year, before the surge and before rotations were extended to 15 months from 12 for the Army, the Military Times papers released a poll of troops which showed that nearly three-quarters of the troops said that because of President Bush, "today's military is stretched too thin to be effective." (You can find a link to that poll and many other stories and polls detailing what troops want at our "Did You Get The Memo" page at VoteVets.org)

While every poll of troops has showed the majority of them feel that things are not going well in Iraq - from Zogby International to the New York Times/CBS - the three-quarters threshold is higher than almost any other finding. Meaning, of all the criticisms of the war by troops, overextension seems to be the number one issue for them.

Yet, where was this reported in the media?

It's frustrating, because in this particular debate, it was so clear that one side was pro-troops and one side was anti-troops. Yet, in their efforts to try to present a "fair and balanced" story, the media lost sight of the fact that on this issue there is really no debate among the troops. They are overextended and are saying so. It's not just because troops want to come home and rest. Troops are saying that they are too overextended to be effective. They are telling America that this is a matter of our national security; that they don't think they can meet our global commitments or destroy al Qaeda in Afghanistan, let alone lock down all the violence in Iraq.

On Hardball, Chris Matthews actually did raise the point, and he deserves a lot of credit. He asked Pete Hegseth, of Vets for Freedom, how he can say he's speaking for the troops and oppose the Webb Amendment. I very much like Pete Hegseth, and off camera we've become pretty friendly. I respect his service, and I think he's a very effective representative for his side of the argument. But, Pete had no answer for Matthews, essentially admitting that on this debate, the troops speak with nearly one voice, and it's in line with Senators Webb and Hagel.

I understand the pressure reporters and editors feel, especially when they are constantly attacked for being the "liberal media." But on some issues, like this one, the numbers don't lie. And, in trying to present an even debate, the media lost sight of the most important fact of all - what do the troops want?

Comments

[IntegrityIntact]

John, your work is amazing and beyond the call of duty for your military brothers. You will be hailed a hero upon their inevitable deployment home.

As for the MSM media--I haven't a shred of respect for the gross injustice they've perpetrated on all Americans and troops abroad.

They're spineless, lazy, have no gumption nor motivation to report on thruths--they are pandering to the rich, political elite that owns their jobs and careers, essentionally.

I mean, look at what happened to Dan Rather. The MSM just doesn't want to rock the boat. And why should they--they've got great jobs, salaries, distinction in some instances--the VIP rope entrance to the party.

I'm sorry we are living in a very self-absorbed, selfish, dispassionate American society.

Our soldiers are the bravest of all Americans and they're systematically being shut out of having a vioce in political issues. That says to everybody that despite all the rhetoric and soundbites, our government just doesn't give a crap about our too troops. Thay are merely a nameless, faceless entitiy with which they place the awful brunt of carrying out their political agenda.

[CitizenE]

I feel alone in saying this, and I've said it before: we need a national referendum in which we vote on legislation that requires every American citizen, members of the military and their families exempted, to pay in the form of a graduated income tax for the costs of the war to date in perpetuity. Yea and the war continues; nay, we bring the troops home in a strategic and well planned retreat and redeployment. Let America vote on it with is most famous bottom line, and let the chips fall where they may.

[PapaJim]

Pete Hegseth is a Swift Boater in training! Nothing more.

What we all need to do is to become active in forcing an end to the war and not just writing about it. I was on the receiving end of the march on Washington to end the war in VN. Witnessing the march had a profound impact on me. It gave me an internal pride because I had sworn an oath to defend the marchers' right to march. Unfortunately, the marchers did not share my view.

We need another march!! It should be led veterans of all wars and their families. They are the ones who have suffered the brunt of the misguided war. Many have said that the soldiers have volunteered and should have known the risks.

That idea is patently false and indefensible. The Marines and soldiers did not sign up to be sent to a militarily unwinnable war. They did not sign up to be commanded by incompetent and corrupt civilians. They didn't sign up to be discarded when they return from war damaged.

[glitz]

Jon; Thank you for keeping people focused on what it really means to "Support the troops". Through this fight I am shocked to discover just how much people do not know about the Military. This Administration from the beginning denied the advise of Senior Command, the Joint Chiefs, as well as History. They went into this war with no concept of securing after attack, taking care of wounded, no plan for returning the dead, as well as no strategy for winning. The troops were undermanned, under led, and under equipted. They replaced experience with cronies and ideologs and now claim no responsibility for screw-ups.

The biggest issue is the wounded. The American public is still not aware of (or maybe don't care) the mess the VA is in. There are so many TBI's (tramatic brain injured) as a result of this war that they are all over the county..literally thousands of them. With a fight, some get excellent care, most do not.

I have to sadly say that with both Republicans & Democrats, "Support the troops" means a yellow ribbon on the car, support the war, and is only useful if it can be used to promote their political future.

[escobar]

And they will STILL vote Republican when they go home....

[bhougen]

wsblake is right. Military protests really are what would change things, but in an all volunteer army, it will be a cold day in hell before those guys protest the war they signed up for. If a draft, on the other hand, were to be instituted, you would see the US pull out of Iraq in months, because then you would really have a large part of the armed forces that didn't go voluntarily but were forced to go.
This stupid war won't end until there is a draft. It's the only thing that will bring the war close to home.

[bhougen]

I saw the paper today and was speechless. If the republicans had any remaining credibility with the "we're for the troops" schtick, it was shattered yesterday. The average round of duty for soldiers in Iraq will soon reach 18 months-18 months with no mission. 18 months of risking death and dismemberment to drive down the street. 18 months away from home in a war started over false information, and even more disgracefully, with no plan for withdrawal. It would seem like, literally, the least that the legislative branch could do for our troops, in compensation for the burden they bare, is to insure that they will have an equal amount of time to spend at home with their families as they do overseas. Apparently, though, our troops do not deserve even this. But what do we expect? The troops aren't even valued enough to be provided with a clear mission for success or sufficient armor. In both the Senate and Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike have shown through their missed opportunities to end the war that they don't even value the troops enough to take them out of harm's way, even after it was discovered that they had been sent to war over FALSE INFORMATION.
FALSE INFORMATION.
What more needs to be said? Our troops were cheated, condemned to fight in a war that will have no victor. This is an abuse of those brave enough to risk their lives at the discretion of their leaders for the protection and security of their country. And when it is suggested in a bill that the troops should be given more time off for their enormous sacrifice, it is struck down as if it is too much to ask. Sickening.
This war will continue on and on and on because lawmakers lack the character and fail to see the moral obligation in which the voters, and ultimately history, has tasked them with to end this pointless nightmare. The troops and the American people have been failed, and the mountainous body count in the years to come will demonstrate that failure.

[realitytrumpsbull]

I'm for ending the war, and impeachment, not necessarily in that order...

[larry278]

What would the USA use for money to train, outfit, house & maybe pay conscripts? The value of the US dollar is on a slide. Some oil exporters demand Euros, not US dollars on the barrel head.
In 'Nam the USA had conscripts & fragging. The all volunteer force in Afghanistan/Iraq doesn't seem to be given to fragging except in friendly fire incidents. Bonuses are expensive but so are fraggings when the costs of replacing NCO's & Junior Officers is factored in.
There is the possibility that troops will become creative in showing anger when tours are extended &/or troops are redeployed to combat constantly from the states for multiple combat tours.
Defense Secretary Gates may be aware of these conditions as he speaks of DOD policies of the recent past.

[gettysburg]

The price for this tragedy won't be played out for a few years to come. After the maimed and crippled come home and have time to sit and think about things, they will all realize what happened on this day. How many lives and limbs would have been spared if the vote Had gone the other away The real tragedy and danger comes when the avalanche of emotional problems start appearing. In the long run of pain and suffering endured by a surviving veteran, the end result of this war will make Vietnam look like a walk in the park.

[jhNY]

What if we began to look at this intractable mess for what it really is, because it ain't no war. It is a holding action which guarantees US corporate interests a profit center and control over oil PRICE. That's why Cheney's energy task force meeting minutes have been so zealously guarded from exposure by the criminals in charge of the country-- if we were allowed to see them, we'd know for certain that the overthrow of Iraq's government was planned before 9/11, and that the supposed spoils that would result were already divided amongst various energy sector cronies during those meetings.

All the debate about "the war", all the inconsistencies and ironies of policy and execution that many of us point out, are what's left for those without any power to discuss among themselves. The powerful do things; the powerless discuss their doings.

As has been known by the least scrupled among us for millenia, young people are fueled with a will to righteous action to make a better world. That will can be easily directed to terrible ends by terrible people, as is the case in the war crime in Iraq. And when those who exercise that misdirected will at the order of terrible men realize they have been misused, they will never forgive themselves, and we who stood worried on the sidelines will have watched another generation of decent people martyred on the altar of Mammon. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

[prochange]

That is the question!!!

Writing comments will not change anything.

[pbarba1969]

I live her in CT and I have to tell you if we could have a recall vote, we would certainly recall Joe Lieberman. He is not voting for what the people of CT want. WE didn't vote for Cheney/Bush and we don't support the war in Iraq.

We do support the troops and want them rotated out. Most of the troops in the field are strictly a political. Its the brass that are doggedly loyal to the Republican party. They are more concerned with whats good for the Republican party that for whats good for the troops..

Joe Lieberman is a disgrace to his office for lying to the people in Ct. last time out by saying "he gets it now". No, he didn't get it, but he sure as hell gave it to us!

[gardengoddess]

pbarba1969, why can't you start a recall movement on Lieberman? I think you can. Get a petition from the State Attorney General and start asking people to sign it.

Word will get to Lieberman, and if nothing else, it will let him know he won't be keeping his job next time he comes up for re-election. Who knows, it might even scare him enough to get him to change his mind about all the Bush butt-kissing he does.

[cam]

All armies in conflict want to come back home ASAP. That is how it is, that is how it has always been, and that is why no-one really bothers asking them.

But it rally takes mind blowing lack of empathy to send a soldier into Iraq again, and again, and again.

Fifteen months tours to be a target in a war that cannot be won? That is way beyond and above the call.

[MikeDu]

Maybe the Republcans have a point.
KEEP the troops overextended. Purposefully break the army, break it as bad as it was in 1972. Corrupt it, cripple it, emasculate it, bankrupt it, turn it into a shadow of its former self. Run it as hard as you can it until it comes off the rails. Bringing the troops home for a rest only means they'll have the strength to continue fighting this war endlessly. The only way to end this war is to physically smash the army.

Uh... that WAS what the Republicans were voting for, wasn't it? Because that will be the result.

[Hoelder]

Ok, lets get something straight: The troops have no say in that, except for their votes at election day. So, why did you vote for Mr Numbnuts? The troops did not get what they want from the Democrats so they like Republicans because they are "tough" and strong on defense. You got more money so the Generals get new toys, but did you not know that tough talk means he is in the White House and you are the ones who walk. Do you really think that Mr. Trickle Down economy will actually only give you trickle, most likely even nothing because the greed of the entrepreneurs suck the life out of trickle. You have 2 choices: 1. suck it up. 2. collateral disobedience. Even though they like nice pictures with your uniform to show that they are real Americans and maybe shake your hands and call you heroes, it becomes stale. If you are really what they say you are, you would get better benefits, wouldn't you think?
And better armor, better weapons, and more support among the gun totting ones on Capital Hill? Is this not a sign that you are actually used and not appreciated? How can you salute the commander in chief even though you know he dodge Vietnam? I could have told you 6 years ago, but then I was non patriot. History repeats itself for those who do not take it serious.