Yet Another Former Iraq War General Slams Bush and the War

Last Friday, retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez blasted the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq war, calling it a "nightmare with no end in sight." Sanchez, who has received praise from President Bush for his "strong leadership" and for doing "a fabulous job," joins a growing list of military officials who have attacked the Iraq war. His critique is notable not only because he is the most senior military officer to speak out against the war so far but also because he served as the top American commander in Iraq from 2003-2004. "From a catastrophically flawed, unrealistically optimistic war plan to the administration's latest surge strategy, this administration has failed to employ and synchronize its political, economic and military power," Sanchez said. "There has been a glaring, unfortunate display of incompetent strategic leadership within our national leaders. ... There is no question that America is living a nightmare with no end in sight." He added, "Who will demand accountability for the failure of our national political leaders involved in the management of this war? They have unquestionably been derelict in the performance of their duty."

GOI: The right wing sound machine is predictably trashing the general after these comments attacking his service. And here I thought the Republicans supported the troops. This is true as long as the troops agree with them. However, if they don't, then they get thrown under the bus of belligerent nationalism just as anyone else who dares question or criticize this war and the administration behind it.

And the fact of the matter is that, yes, Sanchez did have some troubles during his service as the top commander as he presided over all military operations in Iraq during the Abu-Ghraib scandal. Yet be that as it may, it doesn't change the accuracy of his criticism of the administrations doomed orders and policies throughout this war. His record in Iraq is an entirely different debate.

---End of Transmission---