Us General fired for telling the truth.

[powderman]

  US general fired from Afghan training jobBy LOLITA C. BALDOR - Associated Press | AP – 2 hrs 9 mins     Related Content 

• FILE - In this June 10, 2006 file photo, U.S. Rep Jack Murtha, D-Pa., left, and Col. …

   WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan has fired a senior officer from his job as the No. 2 general in charge of training for making inappropriate public remarks about Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his government.    Gen. John Allen issued a statement Friday saying that Maj. Gen. Peter Fuller has been relieved of his duties as deputy commander for the Afghan training mission.
In a recent interview with the website Politico, Fuller characterized Afghan leaders as erratic, ungrateful and isolated from reality. The interview quotes him as saying Afghan leaders don't fully recognize America's sacrifices on their country's behalf.
Referring to Karzai's recent assertion that Afghanistan would side with Pakistan if Pakistan got into a war with the U.S., Fuller was quoted as calling the comments "erratic," adding, "Why don't you just poke me in the eye with a needle! You've got to be kidding me . I'm sorry, we just gave you $11.6 billion and now you're telling me, I don't really care?"
Fuller said the Afghans have at times made unreasonable requests for U.S. assistance.
"You can teach a man how to fish, or you can give them a fish," Fuller was quoted as saying. "We're giving them fish while they're learning, and they want more fish! (They say,) 'I like swordfish, how come you're giving me cod?' Guess what? Cod's on the menu today."
Fuller also said the Afghans don't understand the extent to which the U.S. is in economic distress or the "sacrifices that America is making to provide for their security." He said the Afghans are "isolated from reality."
Allen said the "unfortunate comments" don't represent the solid U.S. relationship with the Afghan government.
"The Afghan people are an honorable people, and comments such as these will not keep us from accomplishing our most critical and shared mission — bringing about a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan," Allen said.
There was no indication whether Fuller will be reassigned or if he would retire.
Pentagon press secretary George Little said Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was aware of Fuller's remarks. Little said Panetta has full confidence in Allen's judgment with respect to his decision in this case.
A native of Andover, Mass., Fuller was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1980 after graduating from the University of Vermont with a bachelor of arts in history and political science. He also holds a master's degree in public administration from Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pa.
___
Associate Press writer Robert Burns contributed to this report.

[OldSchoolRanger]

It's getting bad in the military, the ticket punchers who toe the line will get promoted.  Those field grade officers who do the job, and step on toes eventually get pressured politically to resign, retire, or get put into dead end jobs.

If we keep going down this road, we will eventually have Generals that have no idea how to command, only on how to kiss up to the right people.  In case of a major war, we as a country will be in deep doo - doo, without competent "combat" leaders!  Just my $.02 .

[teamnelson]

As many here know, ive been among the first to stand up for the character of my fellow servicemembers ... however, in the past few months I've witnessed a trend that this article only hints of. I have recently been selected early for "field grade" primarily for combat record, but I also know that this may be my last such selection before I'm shown the door. It's all good, I've got my eye on some land in MT, but both of my children will be at the early end of their military careers, and part of a very unique minority view.

[billy_56081]

Good to hear your perspective TN, and good to hear from you.

[nw_hunter]

As many here know, ive been among the first to stand up for the character of my fellow servicemembers ... however, in the past few months I've witnessed a trend that this article only hints of. I have recently been selected early for "field grade" primarily for combat record, but I also know that this may be my last such selection before I'm shown the door. It's all good, I've got my eye on some land in MT, but both of my children will be at the early end of their military careers, and part of a very unique minority view.

Congrats on your promotion! I understand MT. is a pretty good choice for folks who believe in the freedoms given under the Constitution. If I were twenty years younger, I would be looking at real estate in the Kalispell area. I wouldn't mind being a neighbor of Chuck Baldwin.

[oneoldsap]

          What could our present CIC know about the military or how to run it ? I'm sure he can't even begin to fathom the makeup of a soldier . Hell he's ashamed to call himself an American , now that wouldn't be right even if he was one !

[The Hermit]

Welcome back TN.
 
 
The Hermit

[teamnelson]

Thanks fellas, missed GBO and the fine folks here! Re: military, watch what happens next year, we live in interesting times.

[blind ear]

both of my children will be at the early end of their military careers, and part of a very unique minority view.

 
TN, would you mind expanding on what that unique view is. Thank you. ear

[teamnelson]

both of my children will be at the early end of their military careers, and part of a very unique minority view.

 
TN, would you mind expanding on what that unique view is. Thank you. ear

Sure; both of my children see service to others over self as an honorable, patriotic endeavor. My son has "So others may live" on his wall next to Scripture and the Constitution. They both cherish our Republic, and the God given freedoms protected by the Constitution which they each are oath bound to defend. They love God and His Word, value people over things, look forward to giving their heart and body to only one other member of the opposite sex for life. Work hard, earn your keep, save your money, dont borrow, pay cash, and raise children who respect others. And they both will use whatever means necessary to defend their way of life, and yours, and firearms are handy tools for that use.

Radical zealot thinking I know; I blame my grandparents for being such good role models.

[wncchester]

"General fired for telling the truth."
 
Telling the truth isn't PC supportive of this administration and this administration is run by a very "PC" innerlecsul librul part-time "Constitutional" perfesser who don't know squat about the U.S. Constitution.    But then, what university "perfesser" - or U.S. Atty. Gen. - does?

[powderman]

Hell he's ashamed to call himself an American , now that wouldn't be right even if he was one !

 
ONEOLDSAP. I'd be ashamed to call him American too, if he was one. POWDERMAN. 

[Pat/Rick]

Welcome back Chaps! Congrats on your upcoming promotion! Sadly I believe our nation to be undergoing a transformation, whether or not its for the better, is of personal interpretation.  We have a class of people in our culture that are willing to honorably stand for the rights of their countrymen, and people who just need help. When it comes to helping international peoples, we cannot always depend on our elected leaders to make the best call as to who those peoples are. Those who do stand without cowering to their oath will be labelled unfit for a globalist, NWO, PC, point of view and invited to take their beliefs with them as they are no longer welcome within some circles.
 
The soviet union underwent this same sort of thing after their bolshevik revolution. The great purge brought the firing (disappearance?) of most of their top field grade officers because they did not hold to the new party ideals, or who were questionably not trustworthy. Same sort of thing we are seeing here in our society IMO. Our "new bolsheviks" are denouncing anything or anybody that doesn't lock step with the new agenda of a false and unobotainable utopia. No real war fighting leaders in the ranks hurt the soviet's when germany invaded. It took a couple of years for them to turn the invasion around. 

[BUGEYE]

As many here know, ive been among the first to stand up for the character of my fellow servicemembers ... however, in the past few months I've witnessed a trend that this article only hints of. I have recently been selected early for "field grade" primarily for combat record, but I also know that this may be my last such selection before I'm shown the door. It's all good, I've got my eye on some land in MT, but both of my children will be at the early end of their military careers, and part of a very unique minority view.

Congrats on your promotion! I understand MT. is a pretty good choice for folks who believe in the freedoms given under the Constitution. If I were twenty years younger, I would be looking at real estate in the Kalispell area. I wouldn't mind being a neighbor of Chuck Baldwin.

So, are you saying that it's difficult to just up and move to a more conservative state ?

[NWBear]

As a Veteran, I am all for the men and women in the field.  HOWEVER, as a Soldier you do give up certain rights, that civilians don't need to.  One of those is unbridled freedom of speech.  Soldiers are not really allowed to express "personal opinions" especially if they are General Grade officiers.  As a Major General, he is one rank below having to be approved by Congress.  To advance to Lt. General he would need to be approved by Congress and that is POLITICAL (sad to say).  A touchy line, but one that has exisited for some time (probably a long long time).  Under our Constitution the Military carries out policy set by the civilian authority - not my opinion that is the fact of our system.  Military men/women are best advised to hold personal opinions until they retire or leave the service.

[teamnelson]

NWBear, you are correct in premise, but not degree. I am still expected to apply my judgement, yes opinion, on matters pertaining to the mission, strategy, task under my purview. I am a decisionmaker, and have been one ever since they put crossed bb guns under my mosquito wings. Policy ought not to dictate details, only desired outcomes. The civilian policy is unachievable for the reasons the General mentioned, and it is his job to state why to inform the civilians so they can adjust policy, or to change strategy. Congress did not mandate my to-do list for today.

Youre incorrect on your 2nd point. My promotion to SSgt in the Marines was approved by congress, as was my commissioning, and every subsequent promotion since. My name is on a list reviewed by sub-committee of Congress. They may not know me like they might the General, but its there all the same.

[nw_hunter]

As many here know, ive been among the first to stand up for the character of my fellow servicemembers ... however, in the past few months I've witnessed a trend that this article only hints of. I have recently been selected early for "field grade" primarily for combat record, but I also know that this may be my last such selection before I'm shown the door. It's all good, I've got my eye on some land in MT, but both of my children will be at the early end of their military careers, and part of a very unique minority view.

Congrats on your promotion! I understand MT. is a pretty good choice for folks who believe in the freedoms given under the Constitution. If I were twenty years younger, I would be looking at real estate in the Kalispell area. I wouldn't mind being a neighbor of Chuck Baldwin.

So, are you saying that it's difficult to just up and move to a more conservative state ?

PM sent!

[NWBear]

TeamNelson, Hope you did not take offense.  I was not saying that judgement (opinion) on military matters were not vital and an assessment of the political/civilian situation is certainly part of that.  What I was saying is that expressing opinions about "civilian" matters is probably frowned upon and may be considered outside the scope of the Military, except in the chain of command (not public).  I have been out for almost 40 years so I am sure things have changed.  I was under the impression that Lt. Generals and above become like cabinet positions and "Congress" has to "approve" them.  A little more scrutiny than a promotions list, I thought - much more political, even though it should not be so.
I appreciate your service and good job on climbing the ranks, I love to see EMs who make Officer.

[teamnelson]

TeamNelson, Hope you did not take offense.  I was not saying that judgement (opinion) on military matters were not vital and an assessment of the political/civilian situation is certainly part of that.  What I was saying is that expressing opinions about "civilian" matters is probably frowned upon and may be considered outside the scope of the Military, except in the chain of command (not public).  I have been out for almost 40 years so I am sure things have changed.  I was under the impression that Lt. Generals and above become like cabinet positions and "Congress" has to "approve" them.  A little more scrutiny than a promotions list, I thought - much more political, even though it should not be so.
I appreciate your service and good job on climbing the ranks, I love to see EMs who make Officer.

None taken, and thank you for the follow up!
 
Somewhere along the past 10 years we ceased conventional warfighting, even assymetrical/maneuver warfare and replaced the whole thing with COunter INsurgency (COIN) which essentially gives the ball to the State Department and Civil Affairs. We're a well armed Peace Corps philosophically now, which is a reflection of the civilians who have been running congress for sometime now. We buy friends, and rain enough money our enemies to make them "friends" ... as long as we're raining money on them. This is the heart of the General's grief, and he was doing his job as strategic advisor for military operations related to training of Afghan security to point out the emperor has no clothes. 15 years ago, that would've been well received as wisdom; 10 years ago it would've been understood as truth, but uncomfortable. Now its a ticket out of the game to point out that the civilian policy is impossible to win. The civilian solution is to fill the upper tier with those in uniform who espouse the civilian policy ... can't implement it any better, but they don't make embarassing observations. We're also streamling the illusion by pushing mandatory Civil Affairs training down even to the NCO academies, and creating whole new branches dedicated to CAO and PAO. Why do you suppose SpecOps is on the rise? They can quitely do the dirty work we don't want to admit we do, while we publicly appear to feed starving children, etc.
 
While its true we pick from amongst ourselves our candidates for key positions, and then put them forward for congressional approval, historically they always just stamped it trusting we knew our business. Today, in a very remarkable way, the civilians are reaching down and picking out their own candidates, without our input, and putting them into key positions ... usually because said candidate was verbally supportive of the PC position. He's labeled as "the most intelligent general in a generation" (Betrayus) or something that sits well with the MSM, meanwhile the troops are scratching their heads.
 
Yep, you can probably tell I ain't destined for a flag. I've got the education and certificates, and the regard of my peers, but I'm an anachronism, a dinosaur.

[NWBear]

Sad to see we have come to this, but at least for now the Troops have "public" support.  I am afraid once the treat has past (of course the Pol's always want us to feel threatened) this will lapse.  It has happened since the beginning of time.  Soldiers are reviered when we are threatened and then cast aside when the good times return.  The best "Field" officiers are almost? always passed over for the best "political" officiers.  Just the way it is.  I aways used to say "Col. Custer would rather hear the truth that the entire Indian Nation is camped in the trees instead of that 'there are a few Indians down by the creek.' "  Unfortunately I have found one of the quickest ways to be shown the door is to speak the unpopular truth - and that is in the civilian professional world.   

[mechanic]

The military has become a useful tool of the politicians, who fail to realize it's job is to kill people and break things.  While I have no trouble with our military being humanitarian when possible, that job is better suited to the Red Cross.  If a war is really necessary, lets get it done and bring the boys home.  Let other organizations deal with the aftermath.
 
Just one uneducated opinion of one old geezer.
 
Ben

[teamnelson]

That's some wisdom there, Ben!

[Lost Farmboy]

 

Unfortunately TeamNelson you are confirming things I am hearing from other sources.


I think our troops are fortunate to have a chaplain with the faith and wisdom you display here on GBO.


Maybe I see the reason for your interest in survival.

[teamnelson]

 

Unfortunately Teamnelson you are confirming things I am hearing from other sources.


I think our troops are fortunate to have a chaplain with the faith and wisdom you display here on GBO.


Maybe I see the reason for your interest in survival.

I'm not a prophet or the son of a prophet ... but when I look into the future, it doesn't look good. The dream that we'd be able to one day collect that O-6 over 30 retirement (75% plus 50% disability), on top of TSP, IRAs, annuities, etc. playing with the grandkids at our paid off homestead ... America-that-is (as opposed to America-that-was) can't support it. I'm just happy to make O-4 and still have a paycheck, knowing one day that will end. When the progs solidify their stranglehold, they'll replace me with an atheist social worker; its already been proposed, and the only reason we still have Chaplains is 236 years of consistent selfless service and the faith of the troops ... which is waning. And the most chaplain friendly flag officers are retiring or getting fired, and replaced with prog sycophants.


The focus of my ministry to the troops is to equip them with the things that will last: Christ, a christ-centered marriage/family, and christ oriented stewardship of God's resources. When the dust settles, that's all we'll have. On top of that, I have some preps to get through the hard times, and if the LORD agrees, we'd like to buy a little self-sufficient place in a good community to fall back on, but that's all gravy. I tell all who will listen to think the same; the 7 fat years are coming to a close folks.

[teamnelson]

I missed you TM7!

[powderman]

 

Unfortunately Teamnelson you are confirming things I am hearing from other sources.


I think our troops are fortunate to have a chaplain with the faith and wisdom you display here on GBO.


Maybe I see the reason for your interest in survival.

I'm not a prophet or the son of a prophet ... but when I look into the future, it doesn't look good. The dream that we'd be able to one day collect that O-6 over 30 retirement (75% plus 50% disability), on top of TSP, IRAs, annuities, etc. playing with the grandkids at our paid off homestead ... America-that-is (as opposed to America-that-was) can't support it. I'm just happy to make O-4 and still have a paycheck, knowing one day that will end. When the progs solidify their stranglehold, they'll replace me with an atheist social worker; its already been proposed, and the only reason we still have Chaplains is 236 years of consistent selfless service and the faith of the troops ... which is waning. And the most chaplain friendly flag officers are retiring or getting fired, and replaced with prog sycophants.


The focus of my ministry to the troops is to equip them with the things that will last: Christ, a christ-centered marriage/family, and christ oriented stewardship of God's resources. When the dust settles, that's all we'll have. On top of that, I have some preps to get through the hard times, and if the LORD agrees, we'd like to buy a little self-sufficient place in a good community to fall back on, but that's all gravy. I tell all who will listen to think the same; the 7 fat years are coming to a close folks.

 
TEAMNELSON. Great post Sir, may God richly bless you and your family, as well as all those whose lives you touch. POWDERMAN.