Bushco is destroying the military

The military is falling far behind in its effort to recruit and re-enlist soldiers for some of the most vital combat positions in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a new government report [by the Government Accountability Office].

[...]

The report found that, in all, the military, which is engaged in the most demanding wartime recruitment effort since the 1970's, had failed to fully staff 41 percent of its array of combat and noncombat specialties.

the gao has one of the most sterling reputations for credibility, accuracy and non-partisanship of any government agency but that doesn't deter the bush apologists in the administration from trying to discredit the report...

David S. C. Chu, the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, denied that the military lacked what it needed to complete the mission in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said the report failed to appreciate how the Defense Department handled its recruiting efforts, and had "failed to take into account the dynamic nature of the problem we're trying to solve."

and, yes, this is the same david chu who was in the news back in january...

Chu was quoted in a Wall Street Journal article Tuesday, pitting veterans from past wars against those currently serving in the war on terrorism, alleging veterans' benefits were taking away funds from national defense.

"His remarks about veterans' pay and benefits that 'the amounts have gotten to the point where they are hurtful...they are taking away from the nation's ability to defend itself' is a slap in the face to every veteran who took the oath to uphold and defend the constitution against all enemies," Cadmus wrote in a letter to the editor of the Journal.

"Our country cannot separate military retirees from veterans -- a veteran is a veteran!" asserted Thomas P. Cadmus, national commander of The American Legion. "When their country called all gave their best -- some gave their last -- and they deserve the best our country can give them."

"G.I. Joe and Jane have given all they have in this war and all the wars of the 20th century. They are not getting rich on what Dr. Chu seems to think is a gravy train," said Cadmus.

According to Cadmus, countless billions have been spent on wars past but precious little on those who fight for America's freedom. "America has spent well over $200 billion on battling terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan," Cadmus said. "Dr. Chu seems to think that $2 billion for VA health care in fiscal year 2005 and $6 billion to modernize the VA health care system is too much."

another political appointee...

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