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toxiczen
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US top military commander resigns...
WASHINGTON (AP) - The top U.S. military commander for the Middle East resigned Tuesday amid speculation about a rift over U.S. policy in Iran.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that Adm. William J. Fallon had asked for permission to retire and that Gates agreed. Gates said the decision, effective March 31, was entirely Fallon's and that Gates believed it was "the right thing to do."
Fallon was the subject of an article published last week in Esquire magazine that portrayed him as opposed to President Bush's Iran policy. It described Fallon as a lone voice against taking military action to stop the Iranian nuclear program.
Fallon, who is traveling in Iraq, issued a statement through his U.S. headquarters in Tampa, Fla.
"Recent press reports suggesting a disconnect between my views and the president's policy objectives have become a distraction at a critical time and hamper efforts in the Centcom region," Fallon said.
"And although I don't believe there have ever been any differences about the objectives of our policy in the Central Command area of responsibility, the simple perception that there is makes it difficult for me to effectively serve America's interests there," Fallon added.
Gates described as "ridiculous" any notion that Fallon's departure signals the United States is planning to go to war with Iran. And he said "there is a misperception" that Fallon disagrees with the administration's approach to Iran.
"I don't think there were differences at all," Gates added.
Fallon has had a 41-year Navy career. He took the Central Command post on March 16, 2007, succeeding Army Gen. John Abizaid, who retired. Fallon previously served as commander of U.S. Pacific Command.
Gates said that until a permanent replacement is nominated and confirmed by the Senate, Fallon's place will be taken by his top deputy, Army Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey.
The secretary called Fallon a very able military strategist and said his advice will be missed at the Pentagon.
"I think this is a cumulative kind of thing," said Gates, speaking of the circumstances leading up to Fallon's decision. "It isn't the result of any one article or any one issue."
"As I say, the notion that this decision portends anything in terms of change in Iran policy is, to quote myself, 'ridiculous,' " he said.
Last revised by toxiczen, 3/11/2008, 5:36 pm
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"Love is the strongest force the world possesses, yet! it is the humblest imaginable."
~Gandhi
"it is easier to tell the truth: you don't have to remember anything"
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3/11/2008, 5:34 pm
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PM toxiczen
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Lesigner Girl
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Re: US top military commander resigns...
If he's not opposed to the policy, then where did the idea come from? And why not just hold a press conference to clear up the alleged misinformation and show his support for the policy instead of retiring? It just doesn't add up, so I think he is opposed to the policy.
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3/11/2008, 6:39 pm
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toxiczen
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Re: US top military commander resigns...
i agree it seems awfully suspicious... dont trust the mainstream media fro the real version.
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"Love is the strongest force the world possesses, yet! it is the humblest imaginable."
~Gandhi
"it is easier to tell the truth: you don't have to remember anything"
~Mark Twain
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3/12/2008, 8:31 pm
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MaximusDementis
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Re: US top military commander resigns...
The media mostly just report on what they see or are told. The good ones do anyway. Never rely on one source for something, check out several. I think Fallon has been getting more and more pissed off at the Bush administration's handling of this region (Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran), and he had finally had enough. So, he or one of his subordinates leaked his disagreement over Iran to Esquire. Then Fallon tendered his resignation to Gates, who was forced to accept due to Fallon's astute manipulation of the press.
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3/13/2008, 11:55 am
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Lesigner Girl
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Re: US top military commander resigns...
I would've preferred the straight-forward approach, making a direct statement on camera, explaining everything that's wrong with the policy and saying in no uncertain terms that this is why he's resigning.
However, I'm sure he had plenty of reason to fear making a direct statement (need I mention Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame?), leaking his disdain is better than nothing, and I do applaud him for resigning.
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3/15/2008, 6:51 pm
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toxiczen
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Re: US top military commander resigns...
hopefully it will have a trickle down effect.
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"Love is the strongest force the world possesses, yet! it is the humblest imaginable."
~Gandhi
"it is easier to tell the truth: you don't have to remember anything"
~Mark Twain
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3/21/2008, 7:51 pm
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Lesigner Girl
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Re: US top military commander resigns...
I hope so too. 
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3/22/2008, 1:35 am
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toxiczen
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Re: US top military commander resigns...
trickle down, not trickle up. 
i think real change needs to come from the foundation, not the figurehead...
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"Love is the strongest force the world possesses, yet! it is the humblest imaginable."
~Gandhi
"it is easier to tell the truth: you don't have to remember anything"
~Mark Twain
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3/22/2008, 8:14 am
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Lesigner Girl
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Re: US top military commander resigns...
Exactly, because the figurehead isn't going to make any changes until The People get angry enough to throw them out. Once things trickle down enough and enough of The People finally demand that things change, the figurehead is either need to get wise and start listening to The People, or The People may take them out by force.
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3/22/2008, 1:31 pm
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