<a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1181629,00.html">TIME Magazine has it here</a> (an aside, but <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/printout/0,8816,1181629,00.html">here is the printable, all on 1 page link</a>).<br><br>snippet teaser:<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>From 2000 until October 2002, I was a Marine Corps lieutenant general and director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. After 9/11, I was a witness and therefore a party to the actions that led us to the invasion of Iraq--an unnecessary war. Inside the military family, I made no secret of my view that the zealots' rationale for war made no sense. And I think I was outspoken enough to make those senior to me uncomfortable. But I now regret that I did not more openly challenge those who were determined to invade a country whose actions were peripheral to the real threat--al-Qaeda. I retired from the military four months before the invasion, in part because of my opposition to those who had used 9/11's tragedy to hijack our security policy. Until now, I have resisted speaking out in public. I've been silent long enough.<p><hr></blockquote><p>from the horses mouth.<br><br>another snippet for the lazy who won't visit the link and read:<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>What we are living with now is the consequences of successive policy failures. Some of the missteps include: the distortion of intelligence in the buildup to the war, McNamara-like micromanagement that kept our forces from having enough resources to do the job, the failure to retain and reconstitute the Iraqi military in time to help quell civil disorder, the initial denial that an insurgency was the heart of the opposition to occupation, alienation of allies who could have helped in a more robust way to rebuild Iraq, and the continuing failure of the other agencies of our government to commit assets to the same degree as the Defense Department. My sincere view is that the commitment of our forces to this fight was done with a casualness and swagger that are the special province of those who have never had to execute these missions--or bury the results.<p><hr></blockquote><p>--<br>"I am mindful that diversity is one of the strengths of the country" --president bush on 9/27/05

[color:blue]The cost of flawed leadership continues to be paid in blood. The willingness of our forces to shoulder such a load should make it a sacred obligation for civilian and military leaders to get our defense policy right. They must be absolutely sure that the commitment is for a cause as honorable as the sacrifice.</font color=blue><br><br><br>Heavy, heavy sigh . . .<br><br><br><br><br><br>[color:blue]And I'm the one that jaded you . . .</font color=blue>

Thanks - I'm going to send this to my zealous Brother-in-law and nephews who's always defended Bush and said "support the Troops" which really trnaslated support the President no matter how much he fscks up and Lies !! They have been so Blind !!<br>Now we've added >2300 to the 3000 and are no more closer to getting OBL than than we were on 9/12 !!<br><br>David (OFI)<br>

Interesting read, but unfortunately, no new news, IMHO. Nothing that would actually further the general indictment against this administration. And more important, still no inkling of a plan to get our asses out of Iraq without allowing that country -- and our credibility -- to totally implode.<br><br>More words. Articulate and heartfelt. But the same ol' same 'ol. When the hell is someone gonna step up with an actionable plan and the ability to shoulder these morons aside and execute it?<br><br>

john kerry discussed his plan for troop withdrawal on meet the press yesterday.<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p> The 2004 Democratic presidential nominee said that President Bush should begin pulling out troops if the Iraqis fail by May 15 to agree on a new prime minister and Cabinet, decisions that have been stalled in sectarian bickering since parliamentary elections in December.<br><br>Kerry also urged Bush to increase diplomatic pressure, calling for a summit of leaders of neighboring nations and countries in the U.S.-led coalition to force Iraqi officials to form a national government.<br><br>"It's unconscionable that any young American is dying because Iraqis, five months after an election, are dithering and squabbling and cannot find the ability to compromise and come together in a democracy," Kerry said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "Our kids didn't die for that."<br><p><hr></blockquote><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-usiraq10apr10,1,3569124.story?coll=la-headlines-world">LA times</a><br><br>but of course, kerry's credibility is pretty much shot to hell. i notice in the article that his comments are easily dismissed as, "trademark pessimism." this admin will listen to upbeat lies, but too easily dismisses anything else. <br><br>--<br>"I am mindful that diversity is one of the strengths of the country" --president bush on 9/27/05

Shouldn't you have something like, "reason #947" after the title of your post? <br><br>

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>And more important, still no inkling of a plan to get our asses out of Iraq without allowing that country -- and our credibility -- to totally implode.<br><p><hr></blockquote><p> There are plenty of plans laid on the table on how to get out of Iraq. I would favor Murtha's plan of get all troops out now and stand off with surgical strikes. The boots on the ground are only creating targets and increasing sectarian violence. 85% of the insurgents are fighting to get the US out of the country. If we leave and declare victory they will stop fighting. The imported fighters will then be turned on because Iraqis will have no use for them. The sectarian infighting will happen whether we are there or not.<br><br>Kerry's plan is to start the withdrawal May 15. I would only ask why wait that long? What exactly is going to be accomplished in the next month?<br><br>To Bush I would ask what are permanent bases in Iraq and an occupied Iraq when you leave office going to accomplish? Will it create a safer middle east. Doubtful. Will it make Americans safer from terrorist attack? Absolutely not. <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>(__*__)(__*__)(__*__)(__*__)(__*__)(__*__)

heh heh, i just used Time's headline. obviously, their conservative bias is showing up with that heading, eh? <br><br>--<br>"I am mindful that diversity is one of the strengths of the country" --president bush on 9/27/05

i think kerry said one month would be more than enough time to bring together a coalition of middle eastern countries to have a summit to figure out how to proceed to bring stability to iraq since they'd have a vested interest. they'd come together knowing that we're getting out, so the urgency would be apparent, i suppose. <br><br>i am with murtha as well, fwiw.<br><br>--<br>"I am mindful that diversity is one of the strengths of the country" --president bush on 9/27/05

Sure. Plans, plans, and more plans. Some good. Some not. The problem is what I referred to in the last paragraph of my post. How and who to execute one. I guess Murtha's is one of the smarter ideas. But who's gonna make it happen? <br><br>