what?

is HELL freezing over? are pigs flying? the white house has picked a 'war czar' who, not only wants to talk about guns BUT WANTS TO TALK POLITICS AND ECONOMICS? who gives honest answers when asked about such things as surges.

let's hope the job just isn't a name. let's hope lt. general lute IS the solution here. i know i'm keeping a good thought out for him (and all of our women and men serving as well as all innocent iraqis)

Bush Taps Skeptic of Buildup as 'War Czar'
Lt. Gen. Lute Accepts Position Others Spurned


By Peter Baker and Robin Wright Washington Post Staff Writers

President Bush tapped Army Lt. Gen. Douglas E. Lute yesterday to serve as a new White House "war czar" overseeing the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, choosing a low-key soldier who privately expressed skepticism about sending more troops to Iraq during last winter's strategy review.
In the newly created position, Lute will coordinate often disjointed military and civilian operations and manage the Washington side of the same troop increase he resisted before Bush announced the plan in January. Bush hopes an empowered aide working in the White House and answering directly to him will be able to cut through bureaucracy that has hindered efforts in Iraq..........

.............In choosing Lute, Bush picked a key internal voice of dissent during the administration review that led to the troop increase. Reflecting the views of other members of the Joint Chiefs, Lute argued that a short-term "surge" would do little good and that any sustained increase in forces had to be matched by equal emphasis on political and economic steps, according to officials informed about the deliberations...............

john j sheehan is being polite

that is how i interpret his piece. i think what he's really saying is IT'S A(N) (EFFING) MESS

well that's how i read it

Why I Declined To Serve


By John J. Sheehan Monday, April 16, 2007; Page A17
Service to the nation is both a responsibility and an honor for every citizen presented with the opportunity. This is especially true in times of war and crisis. Today, because of the war in Iraq, this nation is in a crisis of confidence and is confused about its foreign policy direction, especially in the Middle East.
When asked whether I would like to be considered for the position of White House implementation manager for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I knew that it would be a difficult assignment, but also an honor, and that this was a serious task that needed to be done. ...........

..............What I found in discussions with current and former members of this administration is that there is no agreed-upon strategic view of the Iraq problem or the region. In my view, there are essentially three strategies in play simultaneously.............