Sunday, September 17, 2006
'Sometimes loyalty can get in the way,' Part II
Relying on the 'best and brightest' didn't work in Vietnam. But relying on the 'loyal and willing' didn't work in Iraq either. ... I had President Bush in mind when taking a swipe at pols who put too high a premium on loyalty. Mayor Menino and Billy Bulger fall into the same category, for their own separate reasons. ... The WaPo piece sadly confirms and delves deeper into an aspect of the botched Iraq occupation previously covered in books I've read: Group think prevailed. ... Yes, yes, yes, yes. I'm going to break an earlier vow not to read another book on Iraq. 'Fiasco' sounds too good to pass up. Based on gut instinct and recommendations of friends, it could be the best of the lot. I was disappointed a bit with 'Cobra II.' Though detailed, it was a slow read. 'Assassin's Gate' was excellent but perhaps written too soon after the war. Ditto 'In the Company of Soldiers.' 'Generation Kill' is interesting if you're in a pop Rolling Stone magazine mood. Seymour Hersh's 'Chain of Command' is fascinating here and there, but its relentless focus on anti-Bush negatives is a major turnoff if you're looking for even an ounce of objectivity. ...
FYI -- I talked to a good friend the other night about the war and President Bush. While critical of the handling of the war, both of us agreed the hatred spewed at the president from the left is deplorable. It's so obvious to me the president is good intentioned and motivated by a desire to defeat enemies who must be defeated. But he's a very flawed leader -- and the predicament we're in now in Iraq is a direct consequence of his leadership.
FYI II -- I'm told Thomas Ricks warns at the end of 'Fiasco' that a premature withdrawal from Iraq would be a fiasco on top of a fiasco. It may be hard for ideologues on the left and right to comprehend this but ...
Update -- Absolutely hilareous piece by Joe Scarborough: 'Save Yourself, Blame Bush.'... He also touches upon the peculiar subject of fickle loyalty ...
Relying on the 'best and brightest' didn't work in Vietnam. But relying on the 'loyal and willing' didn't work in Iraq either. ... I had President Bush in mind when taking a swipe at pols who put too high a premium on loyalty. Mayor Menino and Billy Bulger fall into the same category, for their own separate reasons. ... The WaPo piece sadly confirms and delves deeper into an aspect of the botched Iraq occupation previously covered in books I've read: Group think prevailed. ... Yes, yes, yes, yes. I'm going to break an earlier vow not to read another book on Iraq. 'Fiasco' sounds too good to pass up. Based on gut instinct and recommendations of friends, it could be the best of the lot. I was disappointed a bit with 'Cobra II.' Though detailed, it was a slow read. 'Assassin's Gate' was excellent but perhaps written too soon after the war. Ditto 'In the Company of Soldiers.' 'Generation Kill' is interesting if you're in a pop Rolling Stone magazine mood. Seymour Hersh's 'Chain of Command' is fascinating here and there, but its relentless focus on anti-Bush negatives is a major turnoff if you're looking for even an ounce of objectivity. ...
FYI -- I talked to a good friend the other night about the war and President Bush. While critical of the handling of the war, both of us agreed the hatred spewed at the president from the left is deplorable. It's so obvious to me the president is good intentioned and motivated by a desire to defeat enemies who must be defeated. But he's a very flawed leader -- and the predicament we're in now in Iraq is a direct consequence of his leadership.
FYI II -- I'm told Thomas Ricks warns at the end of 'Fiasco' that a premature withdrawal from Iraq would be a fiasco on top of a fiasco. It may be hard for ideologues on the left and right to comprehend this but ...
Update -- Absolutely hilareous piece by Joe Scarborough: 'Save Yourself, Blame Bush.'... He also touches upon the peculiar subject of fickle loyalty ...
