Win the War, Not Just the Battles.
When we check the daily news there's a tendency to question the tone, accuracy, set and setting of the reports, avoiding flames, mentally precancelling spin, and trying to gain the true nuggets of information in the package. It's not easy navigating through the artificial reality created by advertisers, marketing gurus, on-air celebrities, and politicians.

Some news and articles come through the maze with what appears to be the "ring of truth". Former President Carter's OpEd piece in the WAPO a couple days ago was like that, as he certainly had and still has exquisitve knowledge of the matter at hand, and there was nothing for him to gain or lose by saying what he did. Sure, if he would have come out in support of the Bush Administration's position on OIF there might have been a few grumbles from his audience, and a few less dollars for the Carter Center...but thinking in this manner puts you squarely in the Flexible Reality Zone. It's more realistic to think he wrote what he considered to be the truth.

Retired General Anthony Zinni's address at Forum 2003 was like that too. Nothing Earth-shattering in the address; but a confirmation of one's own view of the situation by what must be considered a knowledgeable and neutral party to and former participant in US Military Actions in the Middle East and elsewhere. Zinni could have said anything he wanted to, and as a USMC General (Ret) he did.

It should be obvious to all that Rumsfeld, Rice, Wolfowitz, et al are incapable of winning this War using the current framework. It should also be obvious that President Bush is not the Roman style Pro-Consul one would hope to have in charge at such a juncture in our Nations history. Perhaps a Drei-Kaiserbund entity would be better next time, with Clinton's intellect, Bush's faithfullness, and Zinni's military outlook...say, maybe we will: "Ah, Gen. Clark would you step in please."