Second Verse
The partial report by a government-appointed committee probing the Second Lebanon War on Monday accused Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of “severe failure” in exercising judgment, responsibility and caution during the outset of the war.
The report, officially released at a 5 P.M. press conference in Jerusalem on Monday, says Olmert acted hastily in leading the country to war last July 12, without having a comprehensive plan.
Seems to be a trend, doesn’t it?
May 1st, 2007 at 7:12 am
Did we have a “plan” when we declared war on Japan and Germany? Besides “win” I mean. Didn’t those plans evolve over time? This is a serious question I have. Did we have a plan in the sense that we use that word today?
May 1st, 2007 at 7:29 am
Probably not, but I would expect as much when a country is actually drawn into a war against forces that - militarily - were a threat to the us and the rest of the world, as opposed to sitting half a world away with an itchy trigger finger.
I still support the ideals, the ones I held, for reshaping Iraq and the Middle East. I feel like an idiot, though, for thinking that those in power might actually have a plan for it (oh, that’s right, the current General’s own proposals for counter-insurgency suggest half a million troops, but Rumsfeld went all Frank Sinatra and did it his way).
May 1st, 2007 at 1:37 pm
In Israel, in the midst of a prolonged struggle for just existing, they are willing to examine and criticize their political leadership. In the U.S., the very notion is decried as unpatriotic and “emboldening” to our enemies. Wonder which gets better performance.
May 2nd, 2007 at 12:00 am
Andy, I’ve had just about had it with Bush on Iraq and immigration. You’ll get no argument from me. I used to try to see that maybe there was a plan we weren’t seeing, but after a few years I have yet to see anything. People shouldn’t have to guess what we’re trying to do and simply trust the leadership. That’s what soldiers do. The public needs a little bit more.