Sen. Reid owes Gen. Pace an apology
The following is a Counterpoint:
By Stephen P. Millikin
Dear Sen. Reid:
I am the founder and current commander emeritus of the Black Caps Veterans Group. This is an organization of more than 300 Greensboro, N.C., veterans of all our recent wars, starting with World War II and including the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam and Gulf War I. Most of our members have been in combat and many have medals, attesting to service and bravery.
I am writing because of your remarks about another brave American, Gen. Peter Pace, current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gen. Pace is a four-star general in the Marine Corps, the survivor of a highly competitive process that allows only the best and most capable to be promoted through the ranks. Gen. Pace's four stars speak of his dedication and professionalism. The ribbons he wears proudly show his bravery, experience and ability to command at every level.
Sir, your comments about his being "incompetent" are out of line. You have no basis of judgment.
You may disagree with his policies (by the way, as a good officer, Gen. Pace is merely following the orders of his commander-in-chief); you may disagree with the manner in which he commands the Joint Chiefs of Staff; you may disagree with his statements on personnel.
But Gen. Pace has devoted his life to defending the Constitution and ensuring that the part of it that protects freedom of speech is alive and well.
Sir, freedom of speech is not license, and to call an officer of Gen. Pace's quality "incompetent" is to reflect more on your ability to judge than his ability to command.
Sen. Reid, on behalf of the more than 300 members of the Black Caps Veterans Group, I ask that you apologize to Gen. Pace.
The writer is a lieutenant, U.S.N.R. (retired), World War II veteran, and Greensboro resident.
Comments (8)
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Off thread, but this: "..... devoted his life to defending the Constitution ... " reminded me of something recently said about the WH folks refusing to testify before congress because they had executive orders to not testify.
The comment basically was that they had previously sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution, and that that clearly has precedence over upholding and defending an administration.
I thought it interesting.
Posted on August 2, 2007 5:09 AM
Does Sen. Reid read the N&R?
Posted on August 2, 2007 6:48 AM
Give dirty harry a break...he's just trying to scare up a few votes and a measly four star general in the marine corps will have to take a back seat to THAT end...
Posted on August 2, 2007 7:00 AM
Harry Reid is an IDIOT!!!!!!!!
Posted on August 2, 2007 7:21 AM
... and I'm guessing Draft Dodger and Career Political Hack Rove never had to take any pledge to uphold the constitution, so maybe he's off the hook ... but Harriet def' had to ..
Reid might have had to while working as an officer for the U.S. Capitol Police ...
Posted on August 2, 2007 9:12 AM
Hey - Karl had Watergate beaten be a few years:
"Rove acknowledges that, in 1970, he used a false identity to gain entry to the campaign offices of Illinois Democrat Alan Dixon, who was running for state treasurer. Once inside, Rove swiped some letterhead stationery and sent out 1,000 bogus invitations to the opening of the candidate's headquarters promising "free beer, free food, girls and a good time for nothing."
"It was a youthful prank at the age of 19 and I regret it," Rove says.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/wh2000/stories/rove072399.htm
Posted on August 2, 2007 9:15 AM
I believe that Stephen needs to realize that he is no longer in service and therefore ordinary people are not required to follow his directions/orders if they choose not to do so.
If Sen. Reid feels that Pace is incompetent, then he has that right and can voice his feelings. I believe that Stephen has forgotten the principals to which he swore an oath when he entered military service.
Shalom
Posted on August 2, 2007 9:23 AM
It seems someone is incompetent. Who does the letter writer think it might be?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070803/ts_nm/iraq_dc
Posted on August 3, 2007 9:59 AM