Editor,
I am responding to a letter that appeared in last week's Daily Lobo. Cali Garcia, a UNM alumnus, stated those who criticize the Defense Department or President Bush are sissies. I take exception to that remark.
First, under your criteria, combat vets like former National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, Gen. Anthony Zinni and others are sissies. Notice that none of them are Democrats.
Second, not just liberals were against the invasion of Iraq. Paleo-conservatives, who hate neo-conservatives the most, were against it. Why? The strategic objective set out by the neo-conservatives in the Bush administration was to establish a democratic Iraq that would be an American ally, a friend to Israel, a source of oil and a base for a large number of American troops. Talk about a utopian fantasy - intelligent Americans knew it would never happen. No army in the world could have attained all that.
Martin van Creveld, a professor of military history whose writings are required reading for Army officers, said this war was the most foolish "since Emperor Augustus in 9 B.C. sent his legions into Germany and lost them."
Third, have you ever read the Web site called Soldiers For The Truth? The Voice of the Grunt was the pseudonym for none other than the most decorated American soldier ever, Col. David Hackworth. His New Year's resolution in 2005 was to continue to counter Pentagon lies until enough citizens demand action and hold the liars accountable. When he died in 2005, no one from the Bush administration went to honor him. Under your criteria, Hackworth is a sissy.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Finally, if you believe those who criticize our government are sissies, I encourage you to test your hypotheses. I am not a hard man to find, and I will volunteer to be a participant in your study. There is nothing like research to find the truth.
Gregg Ozimek
TVI staff
