[Rhodes22-list] 21st Century 'Ernie Pyle"

[Robert Skinner]

Brad,

I am also pleased and proud of what our forces have 
accomplished, and moreover, how they have done so.  
We have put our finest in harms way, and they have 
conducted themselves like ladies and gentlemen.  The 
lapses from the highest standards of behavior that 
we could ask for are all the more noteable for their 
scarcity.  Yon's work is promising.

I have had no argument with the boots on the ground, 
unless they have Blackwater insignia.

That said, I have had and continue to have 
reservations about the floating definitions of the 
mission(s) that our armed forces have been tasked 
with.  

I firmly believe that the form of democracy that 
grew in the United States requires a couple of 
centuries of substrate civilization and tolerance 
to grow and find its full expression.  

The way in which the free Iraqi codify their use of 
that freedom will inevitably be different than the US 
Constitution.  For example, it is perfectly 
reasonable for them to decide to break up what was an 
artificial joining of disparate ethologies.  In any 
case, it is their country, and they must be free to 
evolve or reshape it as necessary.

The following article, despite its origin on the left 
coast, has some meat, as it shows an evolving realism 
among the military leaders as they negotiate their 
way through the minefield of manifold mission 
statements from Bush 43.  

It is short, and not so much political as an 
interesting glimpse of the current military thinking
about the situation in Iraq.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-petraeus13apr13,1,6444719.story

/Robert
-----------------------------------------------------
Brad Haslett wrote:
> 
> Michael Yon is at 17 on the list at Amazon today and rising fast (up 250 in
> one week and it hasn't been released yet!).  Trust me, this is not
> propaganda.  Whatever you think of 43 or the war in Iraq, you at least
> should read about the experience and professionalism of our troops and
> especially the Marines.  The photo on the book cover still brings tears to
> my eyes every time I see it (the story behind the photo is sad). Yon was
> banned for awhile by the military for 'calling the shots as he saw them' and
> is as impartial a witness as one can find for this national experience.
> 
> Brad
> 
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0980076323?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwviolentkicom&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0980076323
> __________________________________________________
> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list

-- 
Robert Skinner  "Squirrel Haven" 
Gorham, Maine         04038-1331
s/v "Little Dipper" & "Edith P."