Straight Talk from General Anthony Zinni

UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations ^ | 5-14-04 | General Anthony Zinni

[Guenevere]

#41..Beware of pacifists who write books and pose as friends of the military :^

[Texasforever]

Wow! So he used his position to protect his business interests in the region with Pakistan?

[CWOJackson]

At something like $8.8 million dollars potential profit for each dead USS Cole sailor.

I think this guy makes HACKworth look like a slacker.

[Texasforever]

think this guy makes HACKworth look like a slacker.

Well they are both opportunists and don't let little things like honor get in the way of personal or business grievances.

[FastCoyote]

"Sorry to disabuse you of your misconception, but GEN Zinni is Spot on."

Zinni isn't debating the plan (all plans can be improved, by definition, in hindsight), he is attacking Bush as part of the Democrat cabal. He could have published last November, or after the elections. He could have spoken privately in the mean time. All Zinni is doing is pissing in the water after it already flowed under the bridge.

[roaddog727]

"All Zinni is doing is pissing in the water after it already flowed under the bridge."

Perhaps, But he is still spot on.

Also, if you have by chance had the opportunity to hear him speak on other occasions, the theme is the same. Have a well formed battle plan - have a well though out likely contingency plan, and have ALL the political (as well as economic) aspects covered BEFORE the bullets start flying. Lastly, have CLEARLY defined Strategic/Operational/Tactical objectives - achieve your objectives - and have a clearly defined exit strategy.

Ok, so we've won the war and then, in the General's words, "AND THEN WHAT?"