Gates rebukes European allies in farewell speech

bruno

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...arewell-speech/2011/06/10/AG9tKeOH_story.html

Anyone else remember that several years ago then CNO Adm Mullen was defending the reduction in the Navy's shipbuilding plans by claiming that in reality we had a "1000 ship Navy". The defense was that the comparison to the Reagan 600 ship Navy was invalid because in reality we would always be acting in concert with our allies and a much larger naval capability would be available than just our own. It didn't take much to poke holes in that theory then and it's gotten easier since then. As witnessed by their pitiful performance to date in Libya and the budget cuts that are decimating most of the NATO military establishments right now, NATO is becoming militarily insignificant.
 
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While i definitely agree that America has had to shoulder a disproportionate amount of military expense and lives, policing the rest of the world; the very best part of Gates' speech, was that it was his FAREWELL speech. Not saying it's going to be a lot better after the changeover, but it can't be much worse.
 
While i definitely agree that America has had to shoulder a disproportionate amount of military expense and lives, policing the rest of the world; the very best part of Gates' speech, was that it was his FAREWELL speech. Not saying it's going to be a lot better after the changeover, but it can't be much worse.

You sure do shoot your mouth off about the SECDEF. I'll admit I expected better from someone as mature as you. Other than telling the Air Force that they can't have unlimited toys in era of tight budgets (when we already overmatch every other air power) I'd like to hear why you think he's so bad. Most of us in uniform are quite proud to call him our SECDEF.
 
Sorry that I disappoint you. I follow politics very closely. Have for years. In my opinion, since the beginning, gates has always cared more about the politics than the men and women in the military. I'm all for reducing what is spent. I agree especially about cutting toys, as you put it. But men and women aren't toys. Cut back on how many troops I can buy. Cutting the support to those troops, I can't. Both gates and mullins have expressed many times their approval for cutting support, from many different angles. I don't approve of that. His #1 priority as sec defense should be the troops. It isn't. Sorry you don't agree. Sorry, but I think my opinion is quite mature.
 
Sorry that I disappoint you. I follow politics very closely. Have for years. In my opinion, since the beginning, gates has always cared more about the politics than the men and women in the military. I'm all for reducing what is spent. I agree especially about cutting toys, as you put it. But men and women aren't toys. Cut back on how many troops I can buy. Cutting the support to those troops, I can't. Both gates and mullins have expressed many times their approval for cutting support, from many different angles. I don't approve of that. His #1 priority as sec defense should be the troops. It isn't. Sorry you don't agree. Sorry, but I think my opinion is quite mature.

Again, where's the beef? Show me all these factual examples of heinous wrongs that have cemented your opinion.
 
Guys- expressing your opposing opinions is fine, but let's make sure this doesn't get personal here.
 
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Guys- expressing your opposing opinions is fine, but let's make sure this doesn't get personal here.

Roger that. Just asking the man to back up his negative opinion of a civil-military official with factual examples.
 
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