• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Obama lies?

Texan

Well-known member
Obama might be qualified for a job with the New York Times if his other deal doesn't work out. :lol:

=================================


Fact check: Obama's story about Afghanistan platoon hard to verify
The Associated Press
Published: February 23, 2008



WASHINGTON: Democrat Barack Obama says the war in Iraq, which he opposes, has pulled troops away from Afghanistan and left soldiers there without proper equipment.

He underscored his point in the Democratic debate Thursday by telling a story about a rifle platoon in Afghanistan that allegedly didn't have enough soldiers or weapons to do its job, leaving the platoon to scrounge for weapons from the Taliban.

His source was an anonymous Army captain, whom his campaign refused to identify Friday.

"You know, I've heard from an Army captain who was the head of a rifle platoon — supposed to have 39 men in a rifle platoon," Obama said. "Ended up being sent to Afghanistan with 24 because 15 of those soldiers had been sent to Iraq,"

"And as a consequence, they didn't have enough ammunition, they didn't have enough Humvees. They were actually capturing Taliban weapons, because it was easier to get Taliban weapons than it was for them to get properly equipped by our current commander in chief.

___

THE FACTS:

Obama campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor declined to release the name of the captain, citing the soldier's privacy, and pointed to an ABC News account as verification of the story. Obama learned about the captain's allegation from a staffer who had spoken with the captain, according to Vietor.

ABC News said it talked to the unidentified captain, whose account of shortages in Afghanistan was for the most part accurately summarized by Obama, although not verified.

The captain said, however, that the unit did not go after the Taliban for the purpose of getting their weapons, but sometimes used those weapons when some were captured.

The Pentagon has acknowledged forces are stretched, but spokesman Bryan Whitman said that without knowing more, he could not comment on the veracity of Obama's claim, except to say: "I find that account pretty hard to imagine."

Whitman contended "all of our units and service members that go into harm's way are properly trained, equipped and with the leadership to be successful for the mission that they've been given."

Obama said the platoon was supposed to have 39 soldiers. A platoon does not have to consist of 39, but can have between 16 to 40 soldiers, according to standard Army unit organization. It is also commanded by a lieutenant and not a captain.

According to the ABC report, the captain was a lieutenant when he took command of the rifle platoon.

Sen. John Warner, a supporter of likely GOP presidential nominee John McCain, sent Obama a letter Friday asking for details about the platoon and the name and whereabouts of the captain, so he can tell military officials about it at an upcoming hearing. Warner is ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

In response to the Warner letter, Vietor said, "Senator Obama is glad that this issue is getting the attention it deserves, and looks forward to working on a bipartisan basis to ensure that our troops have the training and resources they need."

___

By Ann Sanner


http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/23/america/Obama-Fact-Check.php
 

Steve

Well-known member
"You know, I've heard from an Army captain who was the head of a rifle platoon

Obama learned about the captain's allegation from a staffer who had spoken with the captain, according to Vietor.

how do you go from... "I've heard from an Army Captain"... to some one talked to some one who read a story, about some one who talked to a Captain... ??? who was actually a lieutenant,.. :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

But what a speech it was... it was one of Obama's finest :roll: :roll:

hey this guy is a senator... if a platoon is short on men, and equipment.. can't he just sponsor a bill to correct the shortage?
 

andybob

Well-known member
It is true of any modern army that you adapt section numbers to suit your tactics, when operating from Alhouette helicopters, we had 'waves' of 12 men, 4per chopper (a 'stick') three transport choppers ferrying in up to 3 'waves'. When jumping from Dakota aircraft, we operated in platoons of 21 men (3 x 7 per section). The use of enemy weapons makes for easy re supply when combat situations make it impractical to re supply by air due to a high probability of losing aircraft, and the difficulty in identifying a drop zone convenient for safe retrieval by the ground troops. When operating as a recce squadron (4 - 8 men), any attempts to re supply behind enemy lines will probably compromise your team, so you use what is available - captured ammunition. on military politicians should not involve themselves in that which they do not understand, they are responsible for more soldiers losses than are incompetent generals!
 
Top