Iraq has old-school Marine regretting support for Bush

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

By Thomas E. Ricks
The Washington Post


Anthony Zinni's opposition to U.S. policy on Iraq began on the monsoon-ridden afternoon of Nov. 3, 1970. He was lying on a Vietnamese mountainside west of Da Nang, three rounds from an AK-47 assault rifle in his side and back. He could feel his lifeblood seeping into the ground as he slipped in and out of consciousness.

He had plenty of time to think while recuperating. He promised himself that "if I'm ever in a position to say what I think is right, I will. ... I don't care what happens to my career."

That time has arrived.

Over the past year, the retired Marine Corps general has become a prominent opponent of Bush administration policy on Iraq, which he now fears is drifting toward disaster.

Zinni, 60, still talks like an old-school Marine — a big-shouldered, weight-lifting, working-class Philadelphian whose father emigrated from Italy. Yet he finds himself in the unaccustomed role of rallying the anti-war camp, attacking the policies of the president he had endorsed in the 2000 election.

"Iraq is in serious danger of coming apart because of lack of planning, underestimating the task and buying into a flawed strategy," he says. "The longer we stubbornly resist admitting the mistakes and not altering our approach, the harder it will be to pull this chestnut out of the fire."

-more-

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2001824798_zinni28.html

[RBHam]

1. Dead Man Walking!

Very brave man...

http://www.bushbodycount.com/voices/thelist.php

[mouse7]

2. It's that old uniformed military/organized labor coalition

"...Zinni says he hasn't received a single negative response from military people. "I was surprised by the number of uniformed guys, all ranks, who said, 'You're speaking for us. Keep on keeping on.'"

You do realize the Democratic Party will be winning the uniformed military vote this time. Bet the neo-cons won't be yellin' to count the absentee ballots THIS time, huh?

[jonoboy]

4. that is very good to hear

[militarymanusaf]

5. Here's 1 vote!

Regardless of which Democrat is on the ballot next November I guarantee you will get my vote. Chimpy has got to go, and hopefully he'll take the following sheeple with him: Asscroft, Dick "hide-in-a-hole" Cheney, Rummy, O'lielly, Maharushie, Hannity, Lott, and a large majority of the republicans in Congress.

[Leilani]

6. Military Vote?

I think it will split, & depending on who the Dems nominate will determine how many will go our way.

Clark will get more votes than the others. He has given more attention to military & vets issues.

There are several candidates who will get almost no military votes.

[hellhathnofury]

3. There's been talk of conscripting Zinni as VP on a Dean ticket n/t.

[Leilani]

7. Zinni has said he's out of politics

And I don't think he would run with Dean.

Dean's handling of the Vietnam situation would not win fans with Vietnam era service.

[Bridget Burke]

8. But they just love AWOL's service?

Appointment to a National Guard unit ahead of a long waiting list? A "special" commission? Expensive pilot training (in a jet that was obsolescent--no use in Vietnam).

Then he neglected to participate for the last year of his obligation.