Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : DON'T START THE WAR -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ed Huang who wrote (5185)	2/5/2003 9:18:28 AM
From: Ed Huang	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 25898

Top U.S. general under investigation Associated Press Washington — U.S. Army General Tommy Franks, who would command a U.S.-led war in Iraq, is under investigation for allegations of abuses of his office relating to his wife, Defense Department officials said Tuesday. The department declined to give details. But officials speaking on condition of anonymity said the Inspector-General has been looking into allegations that Gen. Franks allowed his wife, Cathy, to attend classified briefings, gave her a military bodyguard she was not entitled to and may not have properly reimbursed the government for all of her travel when she accompanied him on official trips. The charges were not expected to derail Gen. Franks's career, and it was unclear what, if any, disciplinary action might follow, if the charges proved true. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld issued a statement praising Gen. Franks' performance as a soldier and commander and pointing out his importance to the war on terror and any upcoming campaign. "Investigations such as this are not unusual and properly are required whenever the Office of the Inspector-General is made aware of an allegation," Mr. Rumsfeld said. Some have questioned the appropriateness of Mr. Rumsfeld's comments, coming in the midst of the probe from the man who would ultimately decide if any action was to be taken. "It's completely inappropriate," said Charles Gittins, an attorney who frequently represents military clients. As for the allegations Mrs. Franks attended briefings, he said, it's unlikely secrets were compromised. "But for a general officer — he knows better," Mr. Gittins said of Gen. Franks. "It's unheard of," said Eugene Fidell, a Washington expert on military issues. "Nobody thinks Mrs. Franks conveyed information to ... an unfriendly government, she's not on the telephone with al-Qaeda. But it's the integrity of the system, and the appearance of it is certainly disturbing because a spouse doesn't have any business" at such meetings. Gen. Franks issued a brief statement saying he was co-operating with the probe. globeandmail.com ------------------------------------- Whether the charges above are true or not. Absolute loyalty to the Middle East "cause" is a must, obviously. Let's see who will replace Tommy.