Scott, that's a really important article. It's good to see some of the respected military names come out more publicly to oppose bad policies. In view of savagery of the attacks that the Paul O'niel and Clarke suffered and the extent to which those attacks resonated with the Republican base, it takes a lot of courage for Zinni to state:
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"I'm surprised that he is surprised because there was a lot of us who were telling him that it was going to be thus," said Zinni, a Marine for 39 years and the former commander of the U.S. Central Command. "Anyone could know the problems they were going to see. How could they not?"
At a Pentagon news briefing yesterday, Rumsfeld said he could not have estimated how many troops would be killed in the past week.
Zinni made his comments during an interview with The San Diego Union-Tribune before giving a speech last night at the University of San Diego's Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice as part of its distinguished lecturer series.
For years Zinni said he cautioned U.S. officials that an Iraq without Saddam Hussein would likely be more dangerous to U.S. interests than one with him because of the ethnic and religious clashes that would be unleashed.
"I think that some heads should roll over Iraq," Zinni said. "I think the president got some bad advice."
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Yes, there are great patriots in this country who are willing to sacrifice energy, prestige and a secure financial future in order to do the right thing for America. Unfortunately the Clarkes, Zinnis, Paul O'neils, John O'neils and others are being driven OUT of government by the likes of Rove, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Wolfowitz.
No matter how little you like Kerry or the people he will empower in his administration, the proven alternative is a disaster in terms of their judgement and their ability to learn from their mistakes.
I'd say vote for Kerry or don't vote.
I think I'd like a bumper sticker that said "HIRE A VET- VOTE KERRY!" |
