[Hugin]

One of the negative side-effects of the Vietnam experience is that it created a defeatist expectation among many of the officers who served there, a sort of "can't do" attitude. One result was the Powell doctrine; never go to war unless you have overwhelming military power, total public support, and a well defined exit strategy. That's fine when you have the luxury of picking and choosing what wars to fight; it's a terrible idea when you are attacked. had the Brits followed the Powell doctrine Argentina would still have the Falklands.

In war you don't always have the luxury of having everything lined up perfectly ahead of time. Sometimes you have to go with what you've got and find a way to make it happen. That's what Rumsfeld's restructuring of the military is all about. And that's why he has gotten rid of a lot of Vietnam era generals who aren't willing to adapt, improvise and overcome. Zinni is no doubt a patriot and a fine soldier, but he is exactly the wrong kind of thinker for the war we are in today.

George McClellan had a fine record of service and said we were fighting a war that could not be won also. Meanwhile Gens. Grant and Sherman simply went out and won it.

[AndyJackson]

George McClellan had a fine record of service and said we were fighting a war that could not be won also. Meanwhile Gens. Grant and Sherman simply went out and won it.

McClellan was the inside the beltway choice. Grant wasn't allowed inside the beltway. Just goes to show - some things never change.