An Oak Leaf’s Note Pad

Posted on November 28, 2006

Starting early last week, I have been in a number of formal and informal staff meetings in a number of areas. Some of the “raw” personal (not operational) notes that I jotted down follow. They give you some insight as to where we would hope we are, where we hope have been and where we think we may be going. This is your “seat at the table” where the buck stops in planning the Global War on Terror:

1.) Deep down, the American Public “understands” that based on the agreed upon intelligence amongst all of the World’s spy agencies, that Saddam was either in possession of WMD or he would have reconstituted such programs. This was a position shared by both Democrats and Republicans. It would have been irresponsible for Bush, or any US President not to have taken action in light of 9/11.

2.) Adopting the “Secretary Powell China Shop Doctrine,” we broke some plates in the “China Shop” but we did more than replace them. Unfortunately, the “owner” of the proverbial “China Shop” keeps breaking the new plates every time we replace them. This is the flaw of the state building “Secretary Powell Doctrine.” You must be willing to step aside once you have fixed what you broke and you must not take responsibility for the damage done by others.

3.) Only the People of Iraq can create and keep their own enduring government. In order for that ultimate government to be worthy of keeping, it must be paid for with Iraqi blood. Democracy may take root in Iraq because of our efforts but it will require Iraqi blood to “water” that flower. Democrats must recognize that immaculate warfare does not exist. Republicans must recognize that immaculate democracies do not exist but in fact are stained deep blood red.

4.) Until such time, that a “final Iraqi government” is established, there will be considerable blood shed but that is the only acceptable “payment” for an enduring government. During this interval, Iraq as a nation will not be a threat to the United States. Further, history has shown that while the Iraqi’s hate each other, they hate the Iranians and Syrians more!!!

5.) In the 1990s we swore off nation building by the uniformed military. We have now gone from replacing the broken china to nation building and it is time to hold true to that original premise of not using the US Military for nation building.

6.) Nation building in the 1990s had a corrosive effect on military morale and we are entering that state once again. Keeping the military tied down in Iraq means that approximately 450,000 soldiers are not available for other contingency operations that may arise.

7.) It is now incumbent upon the Democrat Party, now in control of Congress, to recognize in leaving Iraq that the United States is safer today with the elimination of Saddam and that the uniformed military to include Secretary Rumsfeld, has performed their duties in a stellar manner.

8.) In light of the likely atrocities that will arise, pale in comparison to Bosnia, I hope that the Democrat Party, and many Republicans, does not succumb to a demand to prevent the violence. Stopping that violence will stop the flower of democracy.

9.) Priorities number one, two and three are the American Soldier, period.

Note: These were not my thoughts but are the notes that I took at various meetings.