Is Spain's Withdrawal (from Iraq) Medal-Worthy?

[Maverick]

Generals don't usually get medals for organizing a retreat.

But in Spain they do, or at least the defense minister did. Jose Bono was recently given a medal for the role he played in pulling Spanish troops.

The Cross of Military Merit, which Defense Minister Bono was to receive for organizing the retreat of Spanish forces, entitles the recipient to wear a white sash and be addressed as, "Your most excellent lordship."
Edit: Sorry, I left this part out.

a newspaper reported that Mr. Bono had arranged for the medal ceremony himself and had pressured cabinet members who opposed the decoration :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,122742,00.html

[Dozzi]

In America if you run from war you're considered a disgrace.

I guess spain is just one of those culturally backwards countries.

[krackel]

in the world, if you start a war based on false accusations and lies, youre a disgrace, I guess america is culturally backwards.
Imagine a group of drug enforcement cops from different counties collaborating to bust what they think is a huge drug ring, when they get there they find remenants of some old cokeheads stash. Later on they find out that the head officer had a previous personal history with the guy in the building. Not only did they not find the drugs, but they were just helping the dirty cop do his dirty work. Would you stick around?

[pidgeball6]

Hmmmmm, since you put it that way- then yeah I think the dude in Spain should get his medal after all.

[Mugatu]

Hah well said krackel. I dont know if a medal was necessary however because it was the Spanish people that wanted them out. Just because the Defence Minister organized the retreat doesnt mean much. Seems to me like its more of a political message to the pro war governments then anything else.

I may be wrong about this though as I dont know that much about it.

[pidgeball6]

The message to pro war countries, would that be the organizing of the retreat, or the organizing of the medal awarding ceremony? The defense minister organized both. So who gets the medal? The dirty cop? or the cokehead who bailed?

[poopchow]

Edit: Sorry, I left this part out.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,122742,00.html


I think Spain got some pointers from France.

[Mugatu]

It seems to me like the message is that, "We are out of Iraq and proud of it." Which is why they are awarding the medal to the defence minister. Just a guess though.

[Dual]

Minister Bono eh? Didn't know his career was slipping this much

[Jwest]

well i dont know about the whole medal thing but as far as them pulling out thats pretty much sucks for america because the fewer allies we have supporting us the closer we come to the draft

[pidgeball6]

It seems to me like the message is that, "We are out of Iraq and proud of it." Which is why they are awarding the medal to the defence minister. Just a guess though.
Yep, thats pretty much what the public opinion is in Spain. What I find ironic about the medal being awarded to the defense minister is that the medal and the ceremony were both ideas of ------ the defense minister.