I haven’t had time to read General Ricardo Sanchez’s book on the Iraq War and his critique of Bush and his team, but super editor and writer Tom Engelhardt has.
And in a fascinating treatment on bravado and the art of feigned (and real) insanity and irrationality among our nation’s conflict-obsessed presidents, Engelhardt reported this bit of Sanchez’s writing:
“‘Kick ass!’ [Bush] said, echoing Colin Powell’s tough talk. ‘If somebody tries to stop the march to democracy, we will seek them out and kill them! We must be tougher than hell! This Vietnam stuff, this is not even close. It is a mind-set. We can’t send that message. It’s an excuse to prepare us for withdrawal.
“There is a series of moments and this is one of them. Our will is being tested, but we are resolute. We have a better way. Stay strong! Stay the course! Kill them! Be confident! Prevail! We are going to wipe them out! We are not blinking!'”
The more we learn about this president, the smaller he becomes.
— Steve Clemons
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