KEEP AN EYE ON HOW THE MEDIA SPIN HIM.

He said it was up to the soldiers' direct commanders to decide if they should be punished.

"None of us that wear this uniform are free to say anything disparaging about the secretary of defense, or the president of the United States," he added.


Gen Abizaid gave his first press conference as CENTCOM commander on Wednesday. I watched it live on the Pentagon Channel.

And the first impression I had was that for all his talents as a soldier, a warrior and a leader...he came across as stiff, stilted and unfriendly.

Contrast that to GEN Tommy Franks down home, but very confident style.

My point isn't to criticize GEN Abizaid but rather to say I believe his press-conference demeanor will not endear him to the press. And therefore he will likely never get the benefit of the doubt.

I see evidence of that in the news since the press conference as the stories are headlined as "Complaining Soldiers May Face Punishment".

Consider what those headlines will do to morale in Iraq.

I perceive the sympathies of the American public to be with the soldiers of the 3d ID. And I believe that those among us who care to examine the situation fully believe that the 3d ID is still in Iraq and still losing soldiers because our military is not large enough to handle all the missions upon its back at the moment.

If it were, the rotation of troops would have begun two months ago.

And so, the 3d ID is still in the crosshairs long after they should have come home owing to the failure of the Pentagon and the Congress to ensure the military has the force structure it needs to do the nations bidding.

So, while GEN Abizaid is technically correct in each of his assertions, the technical correctness rings harsh in the ears of those of us who care. And the media will most assuredly continue to spin him badly.

I hope he'll soften his edges a bit in the future.