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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: CYBERKEN who wrote (416380)	6/18/2003 3:57:55 PM
From: Thomas A Watson	Respond to of 769670

Wed Jun 18 10:48:37 EDT 2003 Last night I came into my office about 7pm. It happened that my realplayer was still connected to the WABC radio stream. I often listen to Sean Hannity using WABC audio stream. Last night Mark Levin was doing a radio show. Normally, Michael Savage would be doing his Savage Nation show. Having heard Mr. Levin speak often on various news shows I listened as I worked and browsed the web. Mr Levin made comments on two different topics that I had issues with. One was the about the finding WMD in Iraq and the other was about Secretary of State Colin Powell. I spoke on air with Mr. Levin about the WMD's as I think the entire gaggle of media talking heads don't really see the reality of the mobile labs WMD's. Mr. Levin may or may not see the light now. I've posted lots on this BLOG on the mobile lab issue. But upon reflection what really bothered me was Mr. Levins opinion that Secretary of State Colin Powell should be fired as he has given bad advice to the President Bush on Iraq. The advice to go to the UN at all and not just remove Saddam many month's ago. Mr Levin also opined that Colin Polin had given the first President Bush bad advice by recommending that the US not help the rebelling Iraquis after the first Gulf War. On the latter issue of America's actions after the first Gulf war I have no personal knowledge that Colin Powell in his roll as a member of the Military gave any political advice or made the convincing political arguments that the actions not be taken to assist those rebelling. In hindsight it seems that the decision itself did lead to many future problems. But at the time I don't think anyone believed that Saddam would survive. On the former issue of the so called bad advice of Secretary of State Colin Powell in advising a course of action to create a UN sanctioned coalition of the willing, I see simplistic analysis that seems to demonstrate extremely shoddy logic in misses seeing the larger picture in the time of the flow of events. Those with no experience with what I call the process of operational command and planning seem to see the victory in Iraq as some indication that American Armed forces having "instant whenever you turn it on" crushing military power. But the crushing defeat came about after months and months of creating the logistics and required forces in theatre. Does anyone remember that the war plan included an additional front through Turkey. That Turkey was offered billions to allow troops to go through Turkey. The building of those crushing forces took time. It always takes time. The forces were not ready to attack and needed time to prepare. What does one do during the preparation time? How do keep the building forces safe from attack and disrupt the enemies abilities while preparing. Now much time is needed for the buildup. Using the UN to create political pressure makes perfect sense to me. Having the inspectors in Iraq and the possibility that Saddam had a way to slither out provided a security for the building of forces required to deliver the crushing blow. The UN inspectors running around made if impossible for Saddam to position or deploy chemical weapons that could have targeted the first elements of an American attack. The ongoing betrayal of the West by France also convinced Saddam that no UN sanctioned attack would ever occur. Using the UN and implying a need for UN approval for any attack created an umbrella of false security that would lead Saddam make his weapons scarce. Making them scarce also made them far more difficult to deploy if any attack occurred. And it made it virtually impossible for chemical weapons to used in the attack that was brilliant and caught all Iraqis forces with their pants down. I see the entire War and political tactics employed as brilliant in that they made the preparation for the attack and the attack were far safer from the danger of all unknown chemical weapons. The pressure of the recent inspectors made their deployment many times more difficult. And the war plan also took into account the fact that required forces up to the task of capturing valuable infrastructure had to deployed quickly. And additional forces were ready with follow up support to make certain the infrastructure resources secured remained safe. The months or time needed to creating a balanced force capable of carrying out a quick and successful war missions was well served by an honest attempt to find a peaceful solution. I have no problem that such a solution was very likely unrealistic. Choosing that path had huge tactical advantages in creating a safe buildup free from attacks and made any attack by WMD's far less likely. When I see a person like Mark Levin making such negative statements of judgement that show really shallow and unrealistic analysis of the risks and and benefits and then suggesting that a person like Colin Powell who served the President and all Americans so well and loyally, I have to rethink completely my assessment of Mr. Levin's thinking ability. Another fact that also points to the character of Colin Powel is that when at the end it was clear that War was the path I saw 100% support for the President's course of action. I did not see a hint of any disagreement. That simple observation about very extensive coverage of Colin Powell also undermines Mr. Levin's analysis. Mr. Levin, I strongly suggest you consult me in future before expressing opinions of a true leader like Colin Powel. I can likely save you from looking foolish. tomwatsons.homeip.net