Four-star General echoes Kucinich plan for withdrawal from Iraq

[redqueen]

April 30, 2004
Retired U.S. Army Gen. William E. Odom, who is also a former head of the National Security Agency, has criticized President Bush's Iraq policy and demanded that U.S. forces return from Iraq as rapidly as possible for the sake of American security and economic power alike.

His remarks echo the perspective and exit-strategy of Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich.


In several interviews and published reports over the past few days, Gen Odom, a fluent Russian speaker who teaches at Georgetown and Yale, has urged the removal of U.S. forces "from that shattered country as rapidly as possible." Odom says bluntly, "we have failed," and "the issue is how high a price we're going to pay - less, by getting out sooner, or more, by getting out later."

According to published reports, Odom has warned that there was no reason to expect that Iraq could soon develop the ingredients for constitutional democracy. The violence of recent months, he said, had exposed Bush's vision of doing it as a dream.

Odom, who heads the pro-Republican Hudson Institute, also sees the sum total of what the U.S. occupation of Iraq has achieved is "the radicalization of Saudi Arabia and probably Egypt, too. And the longer we stay in Iraq, the more isolated America will become."

"General Odom, whose credentials, record of service, and patriotism are beyond reproach, deserves the respect and admiration of all Americans for his candor and his courage," said Kucinich. "It's time for Republicans and Democrats to begin listening to the enlightened voices of experience. Only then will this nightmare end, and only then will we be able to bring our troops home – where they belong."

http://www.kucinich.us/misc/generalodom.php

[revcarol]

1. Strange how many want to laud Odom

while ignoring that this was an essential igredient of Kucinich's platform.

Kerry people ignore this to their peril.AND if Kerry wants to have a more balanced budget, he's going to have to reduce defense expenditures, military weapons pork and THE TREASURE OF THE U. S. GOING DOWN THE DRAINPIPE OF WAR AND "STABILIZATION" OF IRAQ.

[redqueen]

3. This country hates intellectuals; worships jocks

That explains it all to me.

[arcane1]

2. when my man Dennis Kucinich and the Hudson Institute agree

that means something. Something big

thanks for posting this!!!! :hi:

[redqueen]

4. My pleasure.

I've been keeping away from this place due to posts like a certain ugly, meanspirited, counterproductive, useless poll.

For this, I just HAD to come back.

[arcane1]

5. I am fortunate, then

to have no idea about this poll of which you speak. Something tells me I should be glad :)

After some of the posts I read yesterday, I am not sure I want to know!

fortunately there are still some jewels to be found here on DU :D

[Zorra]

6. Nice to see a four star general re-stating the obvious.

And echoing DK, who saw this coming long before the war began.

[redqueen]

8. Yes, it is.

It would be nicer to see the good advice heeded, though. I'm sure needless deaths are more palatable to those 'in charge' than admitting a mistake, though.

[genius]

7. I guess Dennis was right

I'm certain he'll be proven right in everything else too.