Letters to the Editor

When will the troops come home? Senior military officials predict a significant troop withdrawal next year. We've heard that one before. Tim Grieve [2005-11-23]

• Robert Reich tells of GAO report that means troops will come home

  In a commentary on Public Radio's Marketplace on November 23, 2005, former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich (Clinton administration) pointed out that a recent GAO report says lagging recruitments and demands for higher pay and benefits for special forces combat troops are stretching the military budget so thin that we will soon be forced to cut our military presence in Iraq, even though the administration pretends that its critics are wrong. You can hear his comment here:

  http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2005/11/23/AM200511231.html

  I didn't look up the GAO report, but it is public information and shouldn't be difficult to find. Reich says we have suffered as much as a 40% decrease in enlistments in certain segments. That is huge. I hope Salon looks at that GAO report and makes use of the data. Looks like bad management will help this administration unravel, and bad management is something on which George W. Bush has become an expert. Heckuva job, W!

  -- Marty Carpenter
  [Read Marty Carpenter's other letters]
  Permalink Flag Friday, November 25, 2005 10:36 AM
  Click "Submit Flag" if you feel this post is inappropriate. Explain why below if you wish.

  Cancel