At times, a President's vision of the future can be miraculously crisp and accurate."While we hoped that popular revolt or coup would topple Saddam, neither the U.S. nor the countries of the region wished to see the breakup of the Iraqi state. We were concerned about the long-term balance of power at the head of the Gulf. Trying to eliminate Saddam, extending the ground war into an occupation of Iraq, would have violated our guideline about not changing objectives in midstream, engaging in "mission creep," and would have incurred incalculable human and political costs."
No, these are not the words of our current president, George W. Bush. Unfortunately, these are the words of his father, the former President Bush. These are the words of a thoughtful, talented President Bush as captured in an article done by Time Magazine on March 2, 1998. The title of the article was, "Why We Didn't Remove Saddam,"
If the only his son had listened to the father, our country would be 1324 souls richer (and counting).
The father, President Bush s.r., was a relatively humble and talented man. This is a powerful combination used by great leaders who knew to "speak softly and carry a big stick."
Leaders who lack either humility or talent bring costly trials and tribulations. Whether its the trials of the talented, but less humble administrations of Clinton and Nixon, or the tribulations of the humble, but economically disastrous administrations of Ford and Carter. Humility and Talent are simply characteristics of great leaders and Presidents. The first President Bush had both.
The current President Bush and most of his administration lack both humility and talent. The preeminent example of incompetent arrogance is his choice for Secretary of Defence, Donald Rumsfeld, but there are many more, namely, Condoleeza Rice, John Ashcroft, Alberto Gonzalez, and Tom Ridge. These are men and women that are not known for their brilliant policies. These are people whose recommendations have been colossal failures and have been too arrogant to take anyone else's advice on changes. There is Rumsfeld who is best known for Vietnam and Iraq II, Condoleeza Rice who was backing Islamic militants prior to 911, John Ashcroft who has done more to reverse the civil liberties that make America the land of the free.
We are a democratic society that chooses all kinds of Presidents, some humble, some capable. Tragically, we chose neither in 2004.
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