For Vietnam Vet Anthony Zinni, Another War on Shaky Territory

Washington Post ^ | Tuesday, December 23, 2003; | Thomas E. Ricks

[SUSSA]

Anthony C. Zinni's opposition to U.S. policy on Iraq began on the monsoon-ridden afternoon of Nov. 3, 1970. He was lying on a Vietnamese mountainside west of Da Nang, three rounds from an AK-47 assault rifle in his side and back. He could feel his lifeblood seeping into the ground as he slipped in and out of consciousness.

He had plenty of time to think in the following months while recuperating in a military hospital in Hawaii. Among other things, he promised himself that, "If I'm ever in a position to say what I think is right, I will. . . . I don't care what happens to my career."

That time has arrived.

[SUSSA]

Retired General Anthony Zinni is a decorated Vietnam War veteran, four-star Marine general and former Central Command Chief in Charge of all U.S. Forces in the Persian Gulf Region. In addition Zinni Was Selected Personally by George W. Bush as U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East in 2001. He's not some anti-war hippy.

[sinkspur]

Doesn't matter. He staked out a position on this six years ago, and he can't be seen to be wrong now, even if he IS wrong.

Like Wesley Clark, he thinks he knows best.

[philo]

So your point is....

[MEG33]

Even heroes can be wrong.

[SUSSA]

My point is things might not be as rosy as we are being told by the administration’s spin machine. This isn’t someone has better credentials than most posters here and not someone whose patriotism ca be questioned. He sounds like someone who should be listened to.

[SUSSA]

That's very true, but do we know he is wrong?

[CWOJackson]

"My point is things might not be as rosy as we are being told by the administration’s spin machine."

Your prejudice is showing. When you make comments like that you obviously would be willing to believe anyone over the President.

[MEG33]

Obviously you are torn.I haven't seen you on all the Good News threads.Search for Ragtime Cowgirl's home page.Click on her links.

[SUSSA]

I suppose you have the military credentials this gentleman has. This man is a war hero who has nothing to gain by these comments. I always think military heros are worth hearing about military matters. And I usually believe them before I believe politicians.

Are you under the impression that the administration doesn't have a spin staff?

If so you must be unfamiliar with how politics work or think Mr. Bush is stupid, as only a very stupid man would not have a spin machine in place in Washington today.

[SUSSA]

Thanks I will

[CWOJackson]

"I suppose you have the military credentials this gentleman has."

There is one credential he is lacking...he's not the commander-in-chief.

[sinkspur]

He sounds like someone who should be listened to.

Why? When has Zinni tried to build a democracy from the ground up?

[SUSSA]

So are you saying he is less believable than a politician? Why do you have such a low opinion of military heros? I wonder about anyone who finds a military hero less believable than a politician.

[larryjohnson]

"...his careful plans had been disregarded."
Ah there's the rub. I respect the General's Service. He hates to be wrong. So do I. Will bookmark to see who's right.

[Miss Marple]

Military heroes can be wrong. John McCain and Wesley Clark are decorated veterans. Both of these men did something noble for their country, like Zinni. It does not, however, convey a special expertise upon them nor does it make them saints.

Zinni, like many generals, is viewing this war through the prism of the last war. It is a mistake generals often make.

[CWOJackson]

I guess you haven't heard of Col. HACKworth. He's even more decorated then this general and the most brilliant strategist in our life times (according to him of course).

He believes this is another Vietnam also. Of course he believes everything is another Vietnam...but he was right about Afghanistan...boy did we get our butts kicked that winter. NOT.

Well, there is Wes Clark...he's a heavily decorated general also and he agrees...yep, another Vietnam.

I hate to tell you this but Generals are usually politicians also.

[Shamrock-DW]

"Retired General Anthony Zinni is a decorated Vietnam War veteran, four-star Marine general and former Central Command Chief in Charge of all U.S. Forces in the Persian Gulf Region. In addition Zinni Was Selected Personally by George W. Bush as U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East in 2001. He's not some anti-war hippy."
 

No...he's just some has been/never was general who couldn't understand anything but conventional tactics.  A lot of flushing
has gone on in the military ranks and the trend is to merge conventional/unconventional warfare thinking.  It is the future of the military.

"Retired General Anthony Zinni is a decorated Vietnam War veteran, four-star Marine general and former Central Command Chief in Charge of all U.S. Forces in the Persian Gulf Region. In addition Zinni Was Selected Personally by George W. Bush as U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East in 2001. He's not some anti-war hippy."
 

[SUSSA]

He was former Central Command Chief in Charge of all U.S. Forces in the Persian Gulf Region. In addition Zinni Was Selected Personally by George W. Bush as U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East in 2001. I'd say that gives him more credibility on the subject than you. Bush seems to have thought highly of him and his abilities.

[Republic If You Can Keep It]

the military credentials this gentleman has. This man is a war hero...

Sure he has military credentials. So what? He does not have a knowledge of nation-building.

He's out of his field & it shows.

[SUSSA]

You may be right. I'm not saying he is right or wrong. I'm just saying his opinion is worth listening to.