I guess it depends on what you mean by competence...
I would propose that competence is subjective, but must depend on the expectations for that job. For example, I don't expect much from the weatherman...he is rarely correct...but given the consequences of his being wrong, I accept that the average TV weatherman is 'competent'.
On the other hand, I have a higher standard for a 'competent' pilot. I don't want to fly with someone who makes mistakes, because of the ramifications of those mistakes. A pilot that makes one fatal error has, in my mind, proven to be incompetent. You just can't afford those kind of mistakes. 'Competence' for a pilot is someone who never kills you.
On the third hand, an even higher standard must be placed on someone with even higher responsibilities and consequences. We all understand that the job of President is extraordinarily difficult, almost always unfairly so. However, despite our recognition of that high level of difficulty, we can and should be intolerant of grave mistakes, because of the near global impact.
The job of Secretary of Defense under Bush is another of those jobs that requires a high degree of competence. Rumsfeld, although by all accounts a capable man, did not meet that level of competence. His numerous blunders:
- Philosophical errors, believing that a trim, swift mobile army is the correct formula for today's nation building.
- Strategic errors, discounting experienced generals who knew that the occupation WAS the war and required many more troops than the invasion.
- Tactical errors, such as allowing the disbanding of the only force capable of securing Iraq after the invasion.
- Logistical errors, such as allowing troops to be misarmed and, in early days, undersupplied.
- Planning errors, not taking into account the realities of security in a well armed nation of millions.
- Moral errors, in supporting 'non-torture' torture, thus losing the moral high ground and good will of the Iraqis.
- Political errors, running roughshod over the State Dept and anyone who didn't fully agree with his ways.
- Responsibility errors, in his constant excuses and flippant
blowoffs of his failures.
all contribute to his incompetence in an admittedly difficult job. He should have been canned two years ago.
Gonzales - his rationale for torture alone shows a complete disregard for both the spirit and letter of the law and Constitution.
Brown - head of FEMA - another political appointment, a man put in way over his head. His incompetence also cost lives. |
