Not a rhetorical question at all. I'm simply trying to elicit the problems that might be observed, actually occurring, or about to occur. Staff who go to the media tend to be whiners, that's all, especially if they don't get their way.

And note, I'm talking about staff, not the combatant commander or the 4-star. If there are links to actual statements made by any command official, in an official capacity, please share.

I'll give you the Leatherneck bit, but I don't know the history behind it, nor the reason why it is still used. I do not, however, think that any Marine planner really looked at the choices and said, "Hey, can we pretty please have that piece of dirt?"

And to the reference about the 1% of the population, well I suppose we have to decide if that 1% is where the insurgency dwells right not. We are prone to enjoy operating in cities though, and can do well there if someone wants us to give it a go.