Operation: Truth Freedom

I generally don’t like to be redundant when it comes to commenting on this administration and its contemptible policies, abroad and domestic alike, but two separate stories in today’s New York Times are such paradigms of the various scars Bush and co have beset upon this nation of ours.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/11/washington/11army.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=army&st=nyt&oref=slogin

Firstly, it is being reported that the Army intentionally buried an extremely thorough 18-month analysis by the RAND Corporation regarding the numerous mistakes made by various cabinet members in the lead up to the Iraq invasion, as well as the subsequent occupation. The crux of the matter, which has proven to be the most fatal flaw that has plagued our military since the fall of Baghdad, is that American forces were “well suited to waging major battles but not to restoring civil order.” Admittedly, this is hardly a revolutionary finding, as the critical errors made in waging this occupation have been blatantly obvious for years now. I simply find it to be detestable and demonstrative that the Army would adhere to the administration in its desire to cover their proverbial asses. All gung-ho about sending brave men and women to the front lines to die and sheepishly cowardly when it has come to taking responsibility for this mess.

So while Donald Rumsfeld was the incompetent boor of a Defense Secretary way back then, Robert Gates has taken the American fear-mongering show on the road for a European tour. Although he insisted to the contrary, “I am not indulging in scare tactics,” Gates tried desperately and deliberately to scare European countries into supporting NATO efforts in Afghanistan by warning of the potential for more terrorist attacks. Perhaps he and his boss have failed to realize that Europeans are already quite familiar with their dirty tricks, as they pay more attention to what’s going on in America than most Americans do! It speaks measures about this administration that many of its past and present employees would be arrested and tried for war crimes if they attempt to travel to certain foreign countries. That is slightly beside the point, but the fact remains that these people MUST be held accountable for the deliberate nature of their deception and incompetence, and seemingly the only ones willing to do something are the ones Gates is trying not to scare, but……