Charlie Rose Science Series
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Biden's a great talker, with a massive ego, but there's not much there beyond that. As Cordesman points out in this interview, Biden can't really explain his partition plan beyond a superficial level so that it comports with the realities on the ground. We've already made the mistake of implementing a superficial plan in Iraq by another politician, and I'm not willing to make the same mistake with Biden.
significant.
All of these questions should have been raised before we decided to go and invade Iraq. In 2002, our political leaders in Washington played political games with the most serious decision in our recent history--i.e. invading and occupying another country. These political leaders were aided by a timid and scared media that shirked its responsibilities, and by the criminal schizophrenia of the American people. We should have asked questions and insisted on answers. Instead, we fell in the political blame game of Karl Rove and his ilk. War became a campaign slogan and reduced to empty talking points blabbered by pundits and politicians alike. During the crucial months prior to the invasion, questioning the administration and being skeptical of its policy became the paramount for treason and un-patriotism. Now, after we destroyed an entire country, we are facing a situation with no good outcomes. It is like a nightmare that keeps getting worse and worse and where the protagonist is incapable to extricate himself from the web of a giant spider. Yes, i have been having nightmares since we invaded Iraq because i knew, like many other rational beings, that we were about to lift the lid of pandora's box. God help us!
Rather than waste time over bogus claims about Rove's suppose political genius (He LOST the 2000 election, and relied heavily on 9/11 and gay bashing to win in 2002 and 2004.), and chatting with the politicking and slightly dishonest Molitsas (How saying Edwards, Clinton, Obama and Richardson would be great presidents is any reflection of left of center thinking, I'll never know!), I really wish Charlie had spent more time with this fascinating man. The interview felt cut short, when there were so many areas left to explore. A shame.
My heart breaks at the figures Anthony Cordesman quotes about the situation in Iraq - some figures from elsewhere indicate nearly 700,000 Iraqis dead. These deaths and the destruction of Iraqi society lie on American shoulders. They lie on the shoulders of all those politicians who let this war happen. They lie on the shoulders of all those Americans who voted for Bush. The decision about 'bringing the troops home' should not be based on American self interest, but on what will secure the best outcome for Iraq. An American life has no more or less value then an Iraqi life. Surely as a so called Christian country we would have to agree with that. I remember hearing out of the mouths of many on your show Charlie, that at least the war on Iraq shifted the battleground against terrorists off American shores. And this was said without any realization of the callousness of the statement. Shame on America. Thank goodness there are some, such as Mr. Cordesman who remind us of the moral and ethical responsibility we have to do our utmost to fix the mess we created.
I found Mr. Cordesman very interesting. I have always felt that the strategy America employed since the occupation of Iraq was nonsense. Like every past war, once the first bullet is fired, the 'plan' gets thrown out and you have to improvise. I got so tired of the news that we kept following the same plan, I stoped listening. Now, finally in the waning period of his Presidency, Bush may have finally got it right or at least better. Rumsfeld for sure and Chaney probably should be tried for felony stupid. Maybe George too. Remember, there has NEVER been a war like this one and nothing from any past war, battle, police action or other conflict gave our military insight in how to fight this conflict. We are not going to know the outcome of this and other related anti terrorist conflicts for at least 20 years, but I think that the facing up to these terrorists is as critical now as facing up to the Communists (Russians) in the cold war, like the Berlin Airlift, the Korean 'Police Action' AND Vietnam. If the Israel's pulled out of disputed territory as quickly as the democratic congress would have us do, Israel would have ended in the 50's.
Yes, everything he said may be very rational and thought out but did anyone else notice all the "ifs" in his comments regarding the Iraqi government. IF they can get a power sharing agreement, IF they can settle the oil revenues, IF there can be reconsilitaion ect ect. Those are some giant "ifs" and with no clear answer how can you ask someone to sacrifice their son's or daughter's for something with such massive uncertainty. I notice no one in the administration does. The most lucid thinkers on this to me are Biden, Brzezinski, and General William Odom. Check out their interviews with Charlie.
re: Anthony Cordesman interview. Charlie, I was very impressed with this episode of your show, but most of all with Anthony's articulate assessment of Iraq. An odd thought came to mind: "I wonder what the Iraqi's see on TV, when they have one?" "I wonder if there is anyone among their viewing choices, that is providing similar incisive assessments to their audience?" "I wonder what the Iraqi people would think if they actually could see and hear some of the brilliant people, like Anthony, sincerely pondering both our and their dilemma?รข?? If this particular interview were distributed there, given the mood of the people Anthony described, I would be willing to bet there would be a resonate response from the people. If it were me, instead of giving copies of the Assessment to just government officials, I would publish it in their newspapers, so these people could see that we are not the stereotype, the archetypical evil and we are not all idiots. I do hope you and PBS continue to work together to inform and enlighten for many years to come. You do make a difference. Thanks
Charlie, Please have Joe Biden back again, especially post-Petraeus. Biden's the most lucid thinker out there on how to save our country from the quagmire that is Iraq. Larry