Posted on Feb 27, 2017
Trump laments that American soldiers no longer 'fight to win'
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My tolerance of giving him the benefit of the doubt has about run out!
Trump laments that American soldiers no longer 'fight to win'
Posted from theweek.comPosted in these groups: 
Politics
Politics
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 12
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"The man who in times of popular excitement boldly and unflinchingly resists hot-tempered clamor for an unnecessary war (is) a far better (patriot) than those who, with an ostentatious pretense of superior patriotism, cry for war before it is needed, especially if then they let others do the fighting."
Carl Schurz, Union Army General, U.S. Congressman.
During the Vietnam War, young Mr. Trump skated out of serving with 2S and 1Y (medical) deferments. He is one of only three Presidents, out of thirteen, since 1945 who has not worn the Uniform. The other two being Pres. Clinton and Pres. Obama.
In "Band of Brothers", there is a scene when Capt. Sobol attempts to slink by Maj. Winters without saluting. The Maj. quietly, but firmly, says, "Captain, we salute the rank, not the man." Whereupon the Capt. stops and salutes the Maj. The Maj. returns the salute, and they go on about their business.
Pres. Trump is the President and CIC. I hope he does well for the sake of our Country. But I have precious little respect for the man.
Carl Schurz, Union Army General, U.S. Congressman.
During the Vietnam War, young Mr. Trump skated out of serving with 2S and 1Y (medical) deferments. He is one of only three Presidents, out of thirteen, since 1945 who has not worn the Uniform. The other two being Pres. Clinton and Pres. Obama.
In "Band of Brothers", there is a scene when Capt. Sobol attempts to slink by Maj. Winters without saluting. The Maj. quietly, but firmly, says, "Captain, we salute the rank, not the man." Whereupon the Capt. stops and salutes the Maj. The Maj. returns the salute, and they go on about their business.
Pres. Trump is the President and CIC. I hope he does well for the sake of our Country. But I have precious little respect for the man.
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
I'm still trying to give benefit of doubt but comments or inferences such as this make me go back to the campaign chatter about him not being ready to be Commander In Chief.
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I don't like a lot of what Trump says, but this article completely twists the facts to make it sound like the President doesn't believe in our troops.
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LCDR (Join to see)
I agree I watched this in real time I took it in context to be criticizing the leadership of the past that was a common theme throughout his campaign. He then followed up with some specific although nebulous plans to strengthen the military. With Mattis at the helm I have no doubt that will be an increase in troop strength with a modest investment in new proven equipment. I think we are going to see a decrease in spending on some of the more lavish DoD plans like the Ford, LCS, F-35, AF-1, etc...
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SSgt Boyd Welch
The fact that our troops no longer fight to win is not a statement or reflection of the desire of our troops. It's a condemnation of the nation's leadership and lack of an intense desire by politicians to scorch the earth of our enemies so that they capitulate completely and immediately. US troops can't go into battle with politically issued boxing gloves when their opponent has been given a chainsaw.
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MAJ James Woods
The only context of his statement is he questions the commitment of the military to win (whether it's the young Soldier or the senior leaders) his broad generalization was still insulting. By the way, by the time he was in high school America had pulled a tie in North Korea and Vietnam was on-going. His comments should be frowned upon when you consider Desert Storm, the Iraq invasion of 2003, and Afghan campaign that established a democratic style government. Words matter and his words were very clear.
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
MAJ James Woods - Yes, whether directed at soldiers, which after reviewing coverage it was not or at leadership which it probably is, these words from a Commander In Chief are insulting. Sure he was plugging his increase in military budget but what and how he said it are inappropriate for the CIC.
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That is not what he said. You (and this tory) are misquoting him and it is material. He did not say American soldiers no longer fight to win. It was
"And now we never win a war," Trump added. "We never win. And we don't fight to win."
That "we" is the collective "we" the big "we", the strategic "we". And how would you argue with what he is actually saying. Since WWII, we have had Korea, Vietnam and now the war in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan. Both over a decade old and no win to date. We did win the 1st Gulf War but left much unfinished business, so much so, that we were back in Iraq and now still are.
We win on the ground, we lose because we are unwilling to spend the political capital to win correctly. It seems the political class has figured out that a slow, long war with minimal casualties is acceptable to the American public so guess what we get? Long wars.
"And now we never win a war," Trump added. "We never win. And we don't fight to win."
That "we" is the collective "we" the big "we", the strategic "we". And how would you argue with what he is actually saying. Since WWII, we have had Korea, Vietnam and now the war in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan. Both over a decade old and no win to date. We did win the 1st Gulf War but left much unfinished business, so much so, that we were back in Iraq and now still are.
We win on the ground, we lose because we are unwilling to spend the political capital to win correctly. It seems the political class has figured out that a slow, long war with minimal casualties is acceptable to the American public so guess what we get? Long wars.
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