General explains why he turned down ‘war czar.’
General explains why he turned down ‘war czar.’
Retired Marine Corps General John Sheehan, who was offered and refused the administration’s new war ‘czar’ position, writes in the Washington Post:
But after thoughtful discussions with people both in and outside of this administration, I concluded that the current Washington decision-making process lacks a linkage to a broader view of the region and how the parts fit together strategically. We got it right during the early days of Afghanistan — and then lost focus. We have never gotten it right in Iraq. For these reasons, I asked not to be considered for this important White House position. These huge shortcomings are not going to be resolved by the assignment of an additional individual to the White House staff. They need to be addressed before an implementation manager is brought on board.
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Can’t he just take Bush’s job? Please?
April 16th, 2007 at 8:47 amCan’t blame him for turning down this millstone. It’s all the responsibility of Commander-in-Chief, with none of the authority.
Chimpy’s just looking to manufacture another scapegoat, and the generals are on to his cheap tricks.
April 16th, 2007 at 8:47 amthere’s an e insidious line of crap embedded in this front-page wapo story…
read the above carefully… what picture does it conjure up…? that’s right… two fringe groups, one parked on the far left and the other parked on the far right, both labeled as “ideological bases” with this vast white space labeled “independent voters” in between… this completely fails to take into account that the vast majority of that white space just so happens to support the very positions that are being ascribed to the far left fringe, however, no surprise to anybody, it’s the “activists,” as always, who are the ones making the most noise… seriously, i don’t know how out of touch it is possible for the washington post to be and to still exist within the borders of the united states…
And, yes, I DO take it personally
April 16th, 2007 at 8:48 amWell, at least it’s good to know that there are still some intelligent and articulate individuals like John Sheehan. And it is good that they are speaking out. He is 100 percent correct on this point.
April 16th, 2007 at 8:48 amThis person is using common sense, they would NOT fit well in the Bush Co. environment….good they didn’t take the jon
April 16th, 2007 at 8:49 amSmart Man! Here’s an individual who recognizes sheer “scapegoatism” when he sees it! Kudos to Sheehan for calling a spade a spade….something absolutely no one in this administration seems to be capable of doing.
April 16th, 2007 at 8:51 amAs I noted in another thread, I think the solution to the “war czar” position is Wolf-whizz. The World Bank with be canning his sorry azz soon and he would be perfect for GDumbya’s scapegoat. After all, he has done it once already!
April 16th, 2007 at 8:52 amBesides, it would not be too far of a stretch to imagine that this illustrious “fall guy war czar” might spend time in the Big House down the road when the indictments are handed out by the international war crimes tribunal for this illegal & amoral war. It might be akin to signing one’s own death warrant down the road. It certainly can be said that it might result in at least prison time in our own country when the people bring these individuals to justice.
April 16th, 2007 at 8:53 amIf only someone had a crystal ball! No doubt Bush is attempting to spread the culpability with this move. The job description should read: Wanted: Iraq War Scapegoat! Salary is wonderful – too bad you won’t have time as a free man to spend it all!
April 16th, 2007 at 8:55 amDarn, when did the military become so infiltrated with cut-and-runners and dead-enders? Doesn’t he know he’s undermining our troops? He needs a crash course in military effectiveness from Bush and Cheney.
April 16th, 2007 at 8:56 amThe American nation were cowards to attack Iraq who after the 91 Gulf war disarmed most weapons.
The Big Mouth Nation , Scared to Attack NK or Iran
That makes you Bullies, Murderers and Thiefs of the lowest form
We all are rooting for the Insurgents as America is Finished , politically and Militarily .
the mentality of your war mongering bully country are forever tarnished in BLOOD
April 16th, 2007 at 8:56 amPerhaps Wolfy will jump at the job! Correntomundo in that he was one of the demented architects of the neocon ideology. See where it got him in the World Bank, eh? He’s a hardened criminal and to violate existing laws is something these guys do before breakfast each day.
April 16th, 2007 at 8:56 amhe’s not even saying anything all that amazing… it just appears so when put up against the constant stream of sh!t we have to hear from this admin. :-/
April 16th, 2007 at 8:57 amIt’s fascinating to observe how the longer Bush trumpets his surge and continuation of “business as usual” in this corrupt white house, commensurate damage is being done to all Rethug candidates. Soon they’ll be dropping like flies! What’s the point of attempting to maintain one’s allegiance to the Rethug Party when the “poster boys for corruption” are still bullying the people? It’s not worth the time, money and effort for McCain to continue his pursuit, certainly, as we’ve seen with his flagging-to-almost-non-existent support these days and observing Hillary’s pro-war stance net her flagging support as well.
Aren’t these guys getting the picture yet? Evidently, not. ANYONE who continues to beat the war drum will be evicted from office in 08 – along with any candidate who voted “yes” to enable this dictatorial administration will be punished for doing so.
OBAMA’s campaign is rocking! Any wonder?? Clearly, Obama reflects the pulse and heartbeat of the american people. Add in national health care and I believe we’re looking at our next President!
Go OBAMA! The people are ready for an honest american whose hands are clean of this war and who “connects” with the will of the american people.
April 16th, 2007 at 9:01 amSheehan clearly “smells a rat” in this proposition. There’s no fool like an old fool and Bush & Cheney each epitomize this adage. This time they will be the laughingstock as they attempt to “set the bait” and shift responsibility and culpability to someone else. The people know who the culprits of this war are and the people have a very long, intact memory! Hoorah for Sheehan for having the sensibility to resist their “tainted lure”! Hoorah for Sheehan for time will prove that this man, Sheehan, is a true “patriot”!
April 16th, 2007 at 9:03 amhahahah. wow. this dude not only told them no, by speaking out so publicly, he also told them to “go f3ck themselves”…hahahah
hey trolls, you guys all are and/or know so many armed forces people… any suggestions? surely this war your so fond of has many wise military men lining up to be involved…. hey maybe we can nominate Mighty Valiant Penus Hermaphrodite…she had the cred needed..shes been serving Big Macs to our armed forces for over 10 years, and her testes should be dropping any day now..and imagine how much meth she could buy with that government paycheck! hahaahh
April 16th, 2007 at 9:03 amI think Sheehan’s exact words when offered the post were:
“Not on your life sentence, adze hole!”
April 16th, 2007 at 9:04 amRetired U.S. Attorney Metcalfe explains how White House decision making is done by concensus, which means getting approval from everyone in the loop. As a result, decisions are made which are approved by the lowest common denominator. Everyone is involved in the decision, yet no one is responsible.
Not only would a War Czar be a fall guy, s/he would also most likely face international war crimes tribunals as part of the retirement package.
Perhaps some kid fresh out of Pat Robertson’s Christian law school will take the job…
April 16th, 2007 at 9:06 amIn so many ways, this Vietnam Redux is stacking up to be an “instant replay” for the Rethugs….the war is tanking the economy; people are marching in the streets; pro-war candidates are flagging; and it’s looking like Bush, like Nixon, will be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors. It’s also evident that americans simply didn’t learn the hard lesson of Vietnam either and the lesson has reared it’s ugly head once more. We had the opportunity to “get the lesson” when we realized that we’d been lied to about WMD’s and when the administration coyly shifted the “mission” to democracy; that handwriting was on the wall and we failed to take heed.
Now, after thousands of deaths and a national debt which will certainly tank this country and pitch it into ‘third world status’ soon, we are still playing with the devil on this.
Will we continue in this diabolical dance with the future of our country and the future of our children??
April 16th, 2007 at 9:08 amThe Bush Administration is rife with “fall guys/fall gals” so there’s plenty to select from! What a bunch of demented sociopaths!
April 16th, 2007 at 9:09 amI want to know who in their right mind would TAKE this job… and how much the payoff will have to be?
April 16th, 2007 at 9:10 am“Huge shortcomings”… what a polite way to describe BuschCo at this point. But I have to say, I think Bill Maher was more to the point last week when he called the Beloved Leader “President Shitforbrains” and all Scott McClellan could do was look embarassed. Hey, come to think of it, I hear Bernie kerik is looking for a job, and Donnie Rumsfeld might be available…
April 16th, 2007 at 9:15 amGo OBAMA! The people are ready for an honest american whose hands are clean of this war and who “connects†with the will of the american people.
Comment by veritas — April 16, 2007 @ 9:01 am
I hope you’re right. I worry if Hillary were to get the nomination that the Repukes have “stockpiled” dirt to use on her. Notice the absence of it coming out before the primary, saving it for the general election.
And her failure to apologize for voting for war and to state that she would be for immediate withdrawal says a lot. I think she panders too much to centrist republican and takes Democrats for granted.
April 16th, 2007 at 9:56 amRetired Marine Corps General John Sheehan.
Excellent answer Marine!!
April 16th, 2007 at 10:19 amThis War Czar position is not Constitutional, so I hope Generals realize that and not take the job > PERIOD.
April 16th, 2007 at 10:21 amImagine that! Someone encumbered by the thought process…no wonder he didn’t want the job…completely unsuitable!
April 16th, 2007 at 10:38 amWith no strategy and no ideas, the administration decides to hire someone to either fix it or take the blame. Beautiful.
April 16th, 2007 at 11:52 amAnd so pathetic.
RE: #3
“ProfMarcus”
You are dead-on correct about this.
The list of Republicans/Ex-Republicans who were against (or at least very seriously concerned about) the Iraq Invasion before March of 2003 is very revealing:
1. Retired General Norman Schwarzkopf – Campaigned with G.W. Bush during the 2000 campaign.
His pre-invasion concerns were discussed here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A52450-2003Jan27?language=printer
2. Tony Mc Peak – Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force (1990 – 1994: in other words – during Gulf War 1)
During the presidential election of 2000 General McPeak, along with several other high-ranking military retirees, broke with a long-standing tradition of public political neutrality to endorse George W. Bush.
As the military and foreign policy of the Bush administration coalesced, however, McPeak expressed strong objections, especially with regard to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
3. John Shalikashvili – A retired general of the United States Army and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander who served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1993 to 1997.
Shalikashvili spoke at the 2004 Democrat Convention – and declared himself to be “a new Democrat.” The catalyst for his switch from the Republican party to the Democratic Party was the Bush administrations actions re: Iraq.
4. Retired General Brent Scowcroft (Lieutenant General in the United States Air Force).
He was also the former National Security Adviser under (Republican) President Gerald Ford and (Republican) George H.W. Bush.
His concerns were expressed here in August of 2002.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110002133
The concerns and objections by a former CENTCOM commander who fought and defeated Saddam (Schwarzkopf), the former Chief of Staff of the Air force who also fought and defeated Saddam (McPeak), the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Shalikashvili), the former National Security Adviser to Republican Presidents Ford and Bush1 (Scowcroft) and others have been routinely ignored by the Washington Post and other mainstream media outlets.
This is a group who (1) are highly accomplished in terms of their military achievements and (2) were all, at least at one point, Republicans. Schwarzkopf and McPeak actively supported G.W. Bush in 2000. As noted, McPeak and Shalikashvili felt complelled to leave the Republican Party by 2004.
Yet, newspapers like the Washington Post continue to pretend that only “the extreme left” have been concerned about the Iraq invasion.
Retired general Norman Schwarzkopf is not a member is the “extreme left.”
Retired general Tony McPeak is not a member of the “extreme left.”
Retired general John Shalikashvili is not a member of the “extreme left.”
Retired general Brent Scowcroft is not a member of the “extreme left.”
The fact that men from this part of the political spectrum (career military Republicans) and people from the “extreme left” were both so very concerned about the same thing is the actual story.
It underscores how obviously wrong-headed this invasion was.
Meanwhile, many of the MSM outlets ignore this and NBC’s Brian Williams can’t seem to get his head around why so many people feel the need to “blog so much.”
April 16th, 2007 at 12:24 pm