Americans `conned' into backing war, ex-general asserts

Chicago Tribune ^ | Dec. 31, 2003 | Thomas Ricks

[Rennes Templar]

Former Central Command chief Anthony Zinni denounces `ideologues' in Bush administration

Anthony Zinni's opposition to U.S. policy on Iraq began on the monsoon-ridden afternoon of Nov. 3, 1970. He was lying on a Vietnamese mountainside west of Da Nang, three rounds from an AK-47 assault rifle in his side and back. He could feel his lifeblood seeping into the ground as he slipped in and out of consciousness.

He had plenty of time to think in the following months while recuperating in a military hospital in Hawaii. Among other things, he promised himself that, "If I'm ever in a position to say what I think is right, I will. . . . I don't care what happens to my career."

[Wolverine]

Nothing like having a secure retirement, huh, Yassar..? They can't touch you after you have your pension.

[kabar]

The result? The top military brass -- particularly the commanders of the regional focused unified commands, or CinCs -- have grown more and more sophisticated in their international dealings while civilian decisionmakers have become less and less knowledgeable about their military.

This is the problem. I am concerned by the takeover of our foreign policy by the military. The CINCs have the resources, which gives them the entree to and influence wth foreign leaders and Congress. They hand out the goodies, i.e., weapons, training, bases, contracts etc., while the civilian side, State and CIA, don't have that kind of influence.

Priest is correct about the "militarization" of our foreign policy and the reasons for it, but I don't share her assessement that the military has become more sophisticated about their knpowledge of foreign affairs. The military offers Washington policymakers a more black and white view of the world, not necessarily a more nuanced one. I for one don't think that the blurring of lines between the mission of the military and our foreign policy establishment is a good thing.

[Tallguy]

Having three AK-47 slugs in you (Zinni), driving a riverboat in Vietnam (Kerry) or Being held as a POW (McCain) have absolutely no relevance at the geopolitical level.

Didn't you know that the Soviet-made 7.62 x 39 mm rounds 'inject' special knowledge & enlightenment into the 'recipient'? Zinni was thrice blessed. < sarcasm off >

Actually, I saw Zinni interviewed way back when he was II MEF CO (3-star). His philosophy was pretty standard post-Vietnam stuff (think Colin Powell) with a dash of Maneuver Warfare razzamatazz thrown in. Basically, his view was that the military "Doesn't do Windows."

I guess that we shouldn't be surprised that some people -- even retired military and presidential candidates -- fail to recognize that the enemy changed the rules on 9-11.

[Pikamax]

bttt

[Rummyfan]

Another bump for later.

[kabar]

And you think Zinni doesn't "know sh#t about foreign affairs"?

Is that a rhetorical question? Zinni is part of the disturbing tremd of ex-generals and admirals who promote themselves as foreign policy experts.

[Miss Marple]

The following men were generals who were elected President of the United States:

George Washington
Andrew Jackson
Zachary Taylor
Ulysses S. Grant
Dwight D. Eisenhower

All of these men were elected immediately AFTER a war, or fairly soon thereafter. Taylor was in office only a short while, so his presidency really doesn't count.

Grant was coming off the Civil War, and it was a generation before the nation was ready to fight over anything.

Washington was the first president, when the nation was just getting started. Having defeated the British, he no doubt felt it good to keep a low profile, as we were really not capable of taking on France or Britain again at that time.

By the time of the War of 1812, the United States had become a far-flung battleground of the Napoleonic wars in Europe. Jackson was a hero of the defense of New Orleans. As he instigated several attacks on Indian tribes, I don't think his presidency can be considered peaceful.

Eisenhower pursued the Cold War, which had many fronts, including Viet Nam.

In short, electing a general doesn't guarantee peace; it is simply an accident of history.

[alrea]

Americans were again conned into saving millions of people from murder, rape, economic slavery and torture. The lard butt bozo ex-generals working for the Democratic Party contribute such meaningful information.

[BlueLancer]

"Some general officers have a difficult time adjusting to a life where no one cares what they were or what their opinions are."

What do you do with a general,
When he stops being a general?
What do you do with a general who's retired?

[Norse]

>Excuse me General, with all due respect Sir, you were >trained as a miltary man. It's obvious you don't know sh#t >about foreign affairs.

What the hell does that mean? People who train in the military don't know anything about foreign affairs? Military training somehow hinders knowledge of military operations and foreign affiars? HUH? Are you more qualified to comment on foreign affairs? If so, what field are you in? Get lost.

[Howlin]

Perhaps Zinni wishes to be VP.

[jpl]

Anthony Zinni's opposition to U.S. policy on Iraq began on the monsoon-ridden afternoon of Nov. 3, 1970.

Wow, this guy is a virtual Nostradamus with that kind of clairvoyance.

[alrea]

"Today’s KICK goes to retired Gen. Anthony Zinni the former Marine general who arranged for U.S. warships to refuel in Yemen. A small boat carrying powerful explosives blew a giant hole in the USS Cole as it refueled in the Aden harbor last week, killing 17 sailors, injuring three dozen and leaving lingering questions about protection of military personnel abroad.Though Gen. Zinni has accepted full responsibility without passing the buck to anyone else, for deciding to fuel US Navy ships at the port of Yemen, that does not spare him from the liability that resulted on account of his decisions. State Department recently reported that Yemen remains a haven for terrorists. the annual State Department report on global terrorism, issued in April 2000, stated that the [Yemeni] government's inability to exercise authority over remote areas of the country continued to make the country a safe haven for terrorist groups. Intelligence information showed refueling in Yemen posed enormous risk, data that weren't utilized properly in the decision to refuel at Aden. General Zinnis observations that terrorist attacks could have happened in mid seas or there could be other forms of attacks does not justify the action of making US sailors or its warships soft targets for terrorists."

http://www.aiol.com/crownkick/archives/oct-20-00.html

[Dionysius]

I thought so. Anyone in the military anointed by Clinton is much more a social engineer than a warrior.

[CWOJackson]

"General Zinnis observations that terrorist attacks could have happened in mid seas or there could be other forms of attacks does not justify the action of making US sailors or its warships soft targets for terrorists."

At least at sea they can maneuver, have advanced warning of the approach and defend themselves! What an amazing piece of scum this arse is.

[polemikos]

Vera-Ellen Bump

[BlueLancer]

You can have Vera ... I'll take the old Rosemary!

[Rennes Templar]

I've listened to a couple of speeches our President made. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that we are deflating the Arab terrorist balloon that was steadily expanding with Saddam et al at the helm.

[Rennes Templar]

Apologies to all DU sympathizers.