Gates Confirmed by Senate

Staff / Truthdig Dec 7, 2006 Robert Gates has been confirmed by the Senate with enormous support. While much has been made of Gates' "fresh perspective" on the war, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) pointed out that it is the president who structures policy. And this president is notorious for selectively listening to advice. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Another Friendly Fire Coverup by the Army

Staff / Truthdig Dec 6, 2006 Peggy Buryj was told in 2004 that her son Jesse died near Karbala, Iraq, sustaining a back injury while heroically defending an Army checkpoint. She would later learn that he was shot in the back. While the Army, which has destroyed important evidence related to the case, insists a Polish soldier fired the shot, a friend of Jesse's who served with him told his mother an American soldier was to blame. (h/t: Buzzflash) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Gates Says U.S. Isn’t Winning War

Staff / Truthdig Dec 6, 2006 When asked during his confirmation hearing today whether the United States was winning the war in Iraq, Robert Gates said simply, "No, sir." The nominee for defense secretary, who later went on to soften his position, is expected to receive a speedy confirmation. Update: The Senate Armed Services Committee has voted unanimously to recommend approval of Gates' confirmation. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Rep. Dennis Kucinch: No More Money for War on Iraq

Joshua Scheer / Truthdig Dec 5, 2006 In a Truthdig interview, the Democratic congressman argues that the Pentagon's new spending proposal would not only escalate the Iraq war but could be used to fund an attack on Iran. Read the Gordon England memo discussed in the interview. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Can Dr. Evil Save the World?

Staff / Truthdig Nov 24, 2006 The Pentagon's favored weaponeer, above, has a proposal to stop global warming -- without burning less oil, and for a tiny fraction of the cost of mainstream proposals And it's so crazy it just might work It also might destroy the planet in the process Interested? Read on . Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Molly Ivins: Farewell, Rummy

Molly Ivins / Truthdig Nov 16, 2006 There's been so much in print about how Daddy 41's people are back in the saddle, I was terrified when I saw a photo of Dan Quayle among the pack. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Military Newspapers: ‘Rumsfeld Must Go’

Staff / Truthdig Nov 4, 2006 On Monday the Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times will run a joint editorial calling for the resignation or removal of the defense secretary: "Rumsfeld has lost credibility with the uniformed leadership, with the troops, with Congress and with the public at large. His strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised. And although the blame for our failures in Iraq rests with the secretary, it will be the troops who bear its brunt." Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Army Allegedly Reneges on Deal With GI Who Fled

Staff / Truthdig Nov 1, 2006 Kyle Snyder fled to Canada when the Army threatened to send him back to Iraq, where he says he had been made to perform duties for which he was not trained. Snyder's lawyer says the Army had agreed to discharge his client if he came home but now intends to return him to his original unit. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Pentagon Cracking Down on Soldiers’ Blogs

Staff / Truthdig Oct 31, 2006 From Wired News: "Some of the web's more popular "milblogs" -- blogs maintained by present or former active duty military personnel -- are going quiet following a renewed push by U.S. military officials to scan sites for security risks." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Boehner Praises Rumsfeld

Staff / Truthdig Oct 30, 2006 House Majority Leader John Boehner had some warm words for the embattled defense secretary on Sunday: "I think Donald Rumsfeld is the best thing that's happened to the Pentagon in 25 years." The remark prompted Democrats to renew their call to oust the enabling majority in Congress. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Tucker Carlson Defends Lies to Tillman Family

Staff / Truthdig Oct 26, 2006 Tucker Carlson says he understands the Pentagon's lies to the Tillman family because, as he puts it: "Telling the truth is really hard." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

General Acknowledges Failure of Baghdad Effort

Staff / Truthdig Oct 20, 2006 Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV expressed concern Thursday over the failure of the military's new Baghdad strategy to curb mounting levels of violence in the city: "In Baghdad alone, we've seen a 22% increase in attacks during the first three weeks of Ramadan, as compared to the three weeks preceding Ramadan." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )