Troops as Props?

Can anyone explain why it's acceptable for The President of the United States to use the troops at Fort Bragg, NC as props when he addresses the nation in Prime Time tomorrow?

Unless something completely unbelievable happens, the President is going to take over the airwaves, try to feed us the same tired-ass talking points he's been using for 2 years, and not offer anything new.

There are some things that the president could do to make tomorrow's address newsworthy.

First, acknowledge the disconnect that exists between the view the White House has held up until this point that the insurgency is getting weaker, and the reality as being reported by the boots on the ground. General Abazaid said only last week that he does not share in the White House view that the insurgency is getting weaker.

Second, he needs to address in a realistic manner the problems that are being faced by are military due to recruiting shortages.

Our military is situation is functioning precisely as planned when the military was re-worked after Viet Nam. Our forces were set up in such a way that we could not fight a prolonged war as a country without using a huge amount of reservists. This was intentionally done, as a way of putting a check on the ability of politicians to lead us into war. Using so many reservists, as the reasoning went, would make the public much more tuned into the reasons behind a war and give the public leverage against policy makers who insisted in fighting unpopular wars.

So, the President should be talking about the seriousness of our recruiting issues and acknowledging that it is due to the unpopularity of this war. He should also lay out a plan. If it's a draft, then say so. If a draft isn't the solution, then call on people who support the war to enlist in the armed forces.

Third, the President needs to lay out some metrics that are absolute and will not change. We need to know that when we have accomplished X, Y, and Z, then our soldiers can start coming home. This doesn't need to be an absolute time table, but rather a list of goals that we can accomplish as a nation.

Fourth, since he is talking about the war situation, and standing in front to the soldiers who have to fight the war, the President should be expected to address the $1,000,000,000 shortfall in the VA budget. I would like him to tell us how we plan on taking care of those who have been injured and have fought this war once they return home.

Tomorrow's address isn't just for vanity. We should hold the President accountable for giving the country real answers to real problems.

Lastly, if the President engages in this shameful exercise that we have witness over the last week of painting anyone who is against the war as some sort of traitor, then we need to step back and assess as a nation if President Bush truly shares our values and if it is prudent for him to continue as Commander-in-Chief of the United States military and President of the Country.

Look, there are liberals in the military. There are liberals in this country. We love our nation and we support our troops. For anyone to pretend that not being in support of an ongoing war in Iraq is equivalent to wishing harm upon our troops is shameful. To malign half of this country because they don't support what in our estimation is a misguided and dangerous foreign policy is much closer to treason than disagreeing with the President of the United States.

So, we will be looking for answers. People who support the President will be looking for answers. Let's hope we get them.

If it’s just the same stay-the-course-everything’s-fine-freedom-is-on-the-march bullshit, then the President ought to ask forgiveness for using the troops as props in such a shameful exercise and offer his resignation.

I’m not holding my breath though.

-The Oklahoma Hippy