QUOTE
Iran Dissent Cost Fallon His Job
Adm. William Fallon, commander of
the U.S. Central Command testifies
before the Senate Armed Services
Committee, March 4, 2008.
Even once in awhile a military man achieves immortality by jumping onto a hand grenade to take the explosion and save his buddies' lives. That, essentially, is what Admiral William "Fox" Fallon, chief of U.S. Central Command, did on Tuesday. But the "grenade" that ended his 41-year military career was a fawning profile in the latest issue of Esquire magazine — an article that pitted him against President Bush, and one with whose author Fallon had cooperated. "He jumped," one Navy officer said, "on a hand grenade that he threw."
...
Fallon's backers in and out of the Pentagon said his departure simply proves that the Administration brooks no dissent on matters of war and peace. "Bush says he'll listen to commanders in the field," one retired admiral says, "unless they say something he doesn't like, and then he fires them." Senior Pentagon officials insist Fallon left on his own, but those familiar with the Pentagon's ways had their doubts. "We're not telling you what to do, Fox" the admiral suggests Gates told Fallon, "but there's hemlock in the cup."
Adm. William Fallon, commander of
the U.S. Central Command testifies
before the Senate Armed Services
Committee, March 4, 2008.
Even once in awhile a military man achieves immortality by jumping onto a hand grenade to take the explosion and save his buddies' lives. That, essentially, is what Admiral William "Fox" Fallon, chief of U.S. Central Command, did on Tuesday. But the "grenade" that ended his 41-year military career was a fawning profile in the latest issue of Esquire magazine — an article that pitted him against President Bush, and one with whose author Fallon had cooperated. "He jumped," one Navy officer said, "on a hand grenade that he threw."
...
Fallon's backers in and out of the Pentagon said his departure simply proves that the Administration brooks no dissent on matters of war and peace. "Bush says he'll listen to commanders in the field," one retired admiral says, "unless they say something he doesn't like, and then he fires them." Senior Pentagon officials insist Fallon left on his own, but those familiar with the Pentagon's ways had their doubts. "We're not telling you what to do, Fox" the admiral suggests Gates told Fallon, "but there's hemlock in the cup."
Thank you for your service Admiral.
PS: Just for you General.
