My Zen Arcade

I understand that there’s a good reason that the military is run by civilians.
But two things seem apparent to me.
1. If we want to use the military, our civilian leaders should set the goals and parameters and then step the fuck back. Seriously. These men and women have spent their lives training and learning how to do this. Most people in the government haven’t ever even seen an ‘enemy unit’ except on TV. Let them do the job.
2. Then, when they give a military assessment, listen to them. Assume, and I know this is anathema both in D.C. and in the right-wing blogosphere, that they know better. Funny, I understand why thats the case in D.C., but the right-wing blogs? The whole essence of the conservative movement is authority. If you ignore these guys…ah well.

Crooks and Liars » McCain, Cheney reject Petraeus analysis of Iraq

Just four days ago, Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said that “no one” in the U.S. and Iraqi governments “feels that there has been sufficient progress by any means in the area of national reconciliation,” or in the provision of basic public services.

As it turns out, “no one” doesn’t include John McCain, who feels there’s been plenty of progress…

“Anybody who believes the surge has not succeeded, militarily, politically and in most other ways, frankly, does not know the facts on the ground.”

… nor does it include Dick Cheney, who apparently sees political progress Petraeus doesn’t.

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney on Monday declared the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq a “successful endeavor,” pointing to security and political progress on a visit ahead of the fifth anniversary of the war.