Wesley Clark's article in WP Sunday Outlook, and Q/A Session

[Sparkly]

Sunday's Washington Post Outlook section includes an article by General Clark, "The Real Battle." (Requires registration)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47034-2004Nov12.html

And on Monday at 10:30 a.m., there'll be an online discussion with the General about the article. You can start submitting questions and comments to him now.
http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/04/opinion_outlook111504.htm

His concluding paragraphs:

Troops are in Fallujah only because of a political failure: Large numbers of Sunnis either wouldn't, or couldn't, participate in the political process and the coming elections. Greater security in Fallujah may move citizens (whenever they return) to take part in the voting; it's too early to say. But it's certain that you can't bomb people into the polling booths.

We should be under no illusions: This is not so much a war as it is an effort to birth a nation. It is past time for the administration to undertake diplomatic efforts in the region and political efforts inside Iraq that are worthy of the risks and burdens born by our men and women in uniform. No one knows better than they do: You cannot win in Iraq simply by killing the opponent. Much as we honor our troops and pray for their well-being, if diplomacy fails, their sacrifices and even their successes in Fallujah won't be enough.

[Donna Zen]

1. Calling for diplomacy

I read this earlier today, and wondered then, and still do, if the junta will ever take Clark's excellent advice. I mean, I know the (mis)administration is not interested in a peaceful solution, but they have in the past adopted his position. Always too little and too late.

I think they are looking for a reason to go after Syria. All stick, no carrot. Or as Clark has said about them: when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

I would ask him what if anything Sistani has had to say recently.

[kodi]

2. "All power comes from the end of a gun"

Mao.

regardless of ideological differences, essentially in process the Busheviks are Maoists.

the busheviks are incapable of altering the way they impliment their policies. if they do their ideological dogma will be undermined.

i wonder at what point or series of events will be required to happen for it to occur to the busheviks to admit failure?

how many american and iraqi dead will it take?

the last time around with such blindness, it was 55,000 americans and millions of southeast asians.

is it any wonder that wes clark john kerry, and chuck hagel, all wounded combat vets from viet nam are vocal critics about how this of this invasion of iraq has been carried out?

[sundancekid]

3. the man, the sage, the clearest voice -- the busheviks may not listen

but the rest of us remain grateful for his wisdom and his moral courage to call it like he sees it -- always.