Former US Commander Criticizes Bush on Iraq

The former U.S. commander of multi-national troops in Iraq says President Bush's strategy there is failing because it relies too much on military force and not enough on political reconciliation. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, President Bush says Iraqi leaders are making political progress.

As commander of multi-national forces in Iraq shortly after the fall of Baghdad, retired Army Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez says he saw first hand the consequences of what he calls the Bush administration's failure to properly coordinate American political, economic, diplomatic, and military power.

"That failure continues today," he said. "At its base is the mistaken belief, despite years of evidence to the contrary, that victory can be achieved through the application of military power alone."

Sanchez says he gave the Democratic Party's Saturday radio address not as a representative of the opposition party but as a retired military officer.

This is not the first time Sanchez has spoken out against the president's policies in Iraq. Asked about his previous criticism, White House officials said simply that they appreciate Sanchez's service.

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VOA News - Former US Commander Criticizes Bush on Iraq

Is this just sour grapes or does Sanchez make some valid points?

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"Destiny must be shaped and not left to mere chance."..Spencer Collins ..

It's sour grapes...two reasons...

The first is simple...Sanchez was at the front of the Abu Gharib scandal, so he probably feels he needs to stand up some other way and make it look like he was a victim...He was actually up for a four-star nomination at one point, but it was decided against since it would require a Senate confirmation...and after Abu Gharib, that would never have happened...

But more importantly, If you were to view the comments from the last few years before the surge, you should recognize that a 180 degree shift happened by the people who just want Bush and the war to lose...

EVERY SINGLE TIME something happened in the political arena of Iraq...such as a new coalition or a free election, the negative response was always the same...

"It's just a political victory...nothing is being done militarily, and that's more important."...

But SINCE the surge, the excuse flip-flopped quicker than a Kerry speech...

Mention the refugee return rate or the decreasing violence, here's the NEW standard reply...

"It's just a military victory...nothing is being done politically, and that's more important."...

It's standard operating procedure really...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

One assumes of course that Bush's intentions are to the right thing. But I don't believe that he intense to do what most people believe he is trying to do. As I stated before on another forum Bush is a member of the skull and Bones. He was even asked about his involvement in that secret society, on meet the press and he said its secret and he can't talk about it.

I ask, is it a good thing for any political leader of any country to be a member of a secret society? What have he bound himself to as a member to the skull and Bones that as the President would mean that he would have to violate the oath of office?

For one thing I know (I have seen a documentary on it) that that secret society performs mock human sacrifices, among other sick and immoral practices. Their have even been report of dead babies being found in the aria. What kind of Country is it that have a leader who worship the Canaanite god Moloch?

I think it's mainly just sour grapes,Sanchez is trying to save face..

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"Destiny must be shaped and not left to mere chance."..Spencer Collins ..

I remember so well, shortly after 911 almost everyone was on the Bush band wagon, and anyone who was in the public's eye who dared question Bush, do so at the risk of loosing their job.

It became fashionable to do what this country have been condemning for decades, blindly following one's political leader...in fact not much has changed since then. Most of those in office are still blindly following Bush, even though on the out side appears as if they are not, but their action tells us different.


In all this I am not surprised, because human nature is human nature, even though some of us acted as if Americans were some how in nature better than other people. Given the right condition most people will give up their freedom, if they believe that it would make them feel safer. This nation has historically seen fit to disregard the freedom and rights of some of its citizens, then use clever sounding words to justify it. Then when things have improved a little, it does it’s best to gloss over its history or even deny it completely.