Thursday, September 23, 2004
Prominent Military Leaders and Republicans Decry the War in Iraq
Sydney Blumenthal quotes many military experts who say we've lost this war, that it's helping al-Qaida, and becoming another Vietnam. Sample quote from Retired Gen. William Odom, former head of the National Security Agency:
[2] Washington Post editorial: Mr. Bush and IraqSeptember 18th, 2004
[3] Washington Post: Three GOP Senators Urge Refocusing of Iraq PolicySeptember 19th, 2004
"This is far graver than Vietnam," said Gen. Odom. "There wasn't asAnd we've previously noted prominent Republicans' concerns, but here are a few more quotes for you to consider:
much at stake strategically, though in both cases we mindlessly went ahead with
a war that was not constructive for U.S. aims. But now we're in a region far
more volatile and we're in much worse shape with our allies."
Senator Chuck Hagel (NE), a Republican, says: "The worst thing we
can do is hold ourselves hostage to some grand illusion that we're winning.
Right now, we are not winning. Things are getting worse." [2] "The fact is,
we're in trouble. We're in deep trouble in Iraq." [3]
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) also supports releasing the NIE [4] and says:
"We made serious mistakes right after the initial successes by not having enough
troops there on the ground, by allowing the looting, by not securing the
borders." [3]
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), says "he
believes the situation in Iraq is going to get worse before it gets better,
adding that he believes the administration has done a 'poor job of implementing
and adjusting at times.'" and says "We do not need to paint a rosy scenario for
the American people...." [3]
Senator Richard Lugar
(R-IN) says it's "exasperating for anybody look at this from any vantage point."
[1]
Sometimes, I think we ought to re-elect George W. and let him deal with this mess. There's not much Kerry can do and if the situation worsens, as it seems likely to do, he'll get blamed. Maybe we should keep W. in there, let him take the heat, and put a better candidate up in 2008. Anybody with me?
[1] New York Times: U.S. Intelligence Shows Pessimism on Iraq's FutureSeptember 16th, 2004[2] Washington Post editorial: Mr. Bush and IraqSeptember 18th, 2004
[3] Washington Post: Three GOP Senators Urge Refocusing of Iraq PolicySeptember 19th, 2004
