Random Thoughts on Iraq

Prisoner Abuse
Abu Ghraib prison abuses-->hazing
Fallujah murders, burning, dismemberment-->lynching
Both are bad, which is worse? Which pictures do we see every night?

Leadership of Large Organizations
Large organizations always have bad apples. When are leaders excused (but not totally) from the actions of subordinates?

When the actions are contrary to clearly communicated principles, policies, and procedures;

When violations, once known, are immediately investigated and corrective action, ranging from reprimand and demotion to firing and criminal prosecution, is taken; and

When the leader and/or organization makes restitution.

Service, not Selfishness
Many people who serve as senior officials in American government have had successful careers in the private sector. Whether Democrat or Republican, their primary motivation is service borne out of gratitude. Power can be intoxicating, but the slow-as-molasses bureaucracies quickly dissipate the euphoria.

Let the People Decide
Because they’re not doing it for money or glory (as was Pat Tillman), every member of the Bush Administration, including the President himself, would willingly sacrifice his or her position in the pursuit of victory in the war on terror. On the other hand, they will not resign if it would jeopardize the ultimate objective.

If President Bush thought that it was essential that Donald Rumsfeld continue as Secretary of Defense, and if Karl Rove told the President that he would lose the election if Mr. Rumsfeld stays, I believe President Bush would say, “That’s what elections are for. Let the people decide.”

If Bush is Trailing Badly in October
His opponents, both foreign and domestic, should hope that the President is not trailing badly in the polls in October. Thinking that John Kerry will not take the steps necessary to protect the U.S homeland and the fragile Iraq democratic experiment, President Bush may well initiate aggressive military actions against Syria and Iran, as well as insurgents within Iraq. The U.S. military will follow his orders gladly, because they overwhelmingly want to win. Cynics will view such actions as “wagging the dog”, but in truth, the dog has long since been hurtled over the fence. It may be more accurate to say “in for a penny, in for a pound.”

If Mr. Kerry does go on to win after Mr. Bush ploughs the field, the prospects for international cooperation improve. Neither our friends or enemies will want the bad Republican cops to come back into the room. © 2004 Stephen Yuen