the cancer is militias, both Sunni and Shia.

Your appointment represents a devastating critique of the national security apparatus of this White House.

Well, then he should be fired, because, frankly, if he's not capable of being the individual responsible for those duties and they've passed it on to someone else, then why is he there? That's my view.

the effect of our operations or the perception of our operations at least initially would be that we are conducting generally attacks against Sunni forces.

I think if the President was really serious he should replace Mr. Hadley, appoint you as a civilian, not as an Army officer.

I could go down a list of other major responsibilities you'll have.

It is another political, public relations ploy, rather than a significant change in strategy.

I think you're going to be a superb Secretary of the Army and I certainly support you.

I think there's a serious, serious danger here going forward indefinitely that those types of tours and the effects will accumulate.

One of my concerns is that there are military occupation specialties which are less stressful in some cases than being an infantry squad leader or an armored platoon leader, cavalry squad leader, et cetera.

Aye.

I have seen reports, news reports, that were broadcast by al Zawahiri, that basically suggested that, they see us as being trapped in Iraq.

Do you see any progress on that front? If there is not progress on that front, how do we address the needs of reconstruction?

Well, we're clearly not winning. And we're in danger of losing in Iraq, unless we take dramatic action, unless the president takes dramatic action.

A third of our brigades in the United States are reporting non-deployable because of personnel and equipment shortages.

A third of our brigades in the United States are reporting non-deployable because of personnel and equipment shortages.

I think this behavior, if it is targeted to exploit soldiers is absolutely reprehensible.

the president is always right.