Interesting article...

[msan_msw]

At the risk of spamming I'll just post an article about Rumsfeld's leadership. Yes, it's very critical of him so if you don't like ~things that are critical~ of a Republican you may want to skip it.

I kind of sensed the vib this article discusses for some time now. I guess I picked it up when dad had his term and I was looking into he whole "Skull & Bones" fiasco. It's (this administration) really a good ol' boys type of leadership style where people have a hard time fitting in thus causing problems within an administration.

Some might say that its his right to be this way. I'll say, "Yup, you're exactly right. It is his right to act anyway he wants." In the same breath I'll say that this isn't a prefered leadership style either and one that will cause more harm than good. Ironically, it's this same "style" (not method and practice) of leadership that Saddam uses i.e. heavy handed and without regard.

Anyway, an interesting behind_the_scenes look at the current administration...

http://www.msnbc.com/news/821788.asp

[PaleDuke]

“There is a nearly universal feeling among the officer corps that the inner circle is closed, not tolerant of ideas it doesn’t already share, and determined to impose its ideas, regardless of military doubts,” said Loren B. Thompson, a defense analyst at the Lexington Institute who has close ties to defense contractors and the military.

He seems to treat the officer corps as labor representatives and sees himself and his crew as the business owners. This closed, very centralized and antagonistic "us" vs "them" mentality is inherently unhealthy. If it were a business they'd stagnate. As their business is war people may die unnecessarily.

Modern businesses and bureaucracies are striving to streamline by having better top to bottom, two way communication. That old school "small circle of power" attitude is the dinosaur of business models.

Imagine that, a conservative practicing old school management techniques. :rolleyes:

[opus512]

I would blame Dick more then I would Bush for any closed mindedness.

I'll read the article later...

[msan_msw]

Another interesting article... Probably just as or more interesting. It looks like we're going to be going after N. Korea as well. I'll say this, if we start on N. Korea in the same way we're going after Iraq my stand on not being a chance of a WWIII in all of this will flip-flop. Also, this will mean tens of thousands of Americans dead not just a few hundred.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/822193.asp

[Perpetualis]

What kind of military does n korea have?

[msan_msw]

Well, I don't have a link but I've been told that both the U.S. and R.O.K. (Republic of Korea) that are currently stationed there would be wiped out within 24-48 hours and it's the most heavily defended boarder on the planet. There are massive amounts of artillery and fortified bunkers that have been built up for half a century. Both militaries are very well trained. It should be noted that they train on the same land they'll fight on so that makes things all the more hazardous. Any war with N. Korea would be extremely bloody and technological superiority may help us eventually win the war but it wouldn't be a cake walk (if you can call it that) like Iraq would be... A lot of people, soldiers & civilians, would die.

I think Bush is biting of more than he (and we) can chew. We could very well be on a three-four front war by the time the 2004 election comes around. I doubt it will happen but the odds are increasing dramatically every day.

[EG]

How does the current famine in N. Korea effect their military posture?

[msan_msw]

Originally posted by EGhadsGhost
How does the current famine in N. Korea effect their military posture?

Is that a rhetorical question?

[PaleDuke]

Originally posted by EGhadsGhost
How does the current famine in N. Korea effect their military posture?


Even more reason for them to strike out.

Revolution and empty stomaches go hand in hand. Nothing like a war to divert attention and pass blame. "Those Americans and their Southern puppets are why we are starving...". Something like that.

[opus512]

More on North Korea:

http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/10/16/us.nkorea/index.html

The official said Kelly told Kang that the United States knew the country had a secret nuclear weapons program using "different technology" from that used prior to 1994, and that North Korea had saved enough plutonium for at least two nuclear weapons.

The North Korean official then shocked Kelly when he looked at him and said "something to the effect of, 'Your president called us a member of the axis of evil. ... Your troops are deployed on the Korean peninsula. ... Of course, we have a nuclear program,'" according to the senior administration source, who was briefed on the meeting.

And now, instead of engaging them in any way, we are going to isolate them even more. Make sense to me not.

[opus512]

There was an interesting interview the other day on NPR, where they were discussing the Cuban missle crises. One person made the observation between then and now, that then, it was the military that was pushing for a strike, and the president that was holding back. Now, it is the opossite, with the president pushing for a strike, and the military wanting to hold back. Unfortunatly, the president over rides the military. Then, the person with their finger on the button was reluctant, and we avoided nuclear war. Now, the button finger is twitching. Scary shit, IMO.

[dookiebot]

You know one thing about Rumsfield that upsets me so?

He was instrumental in getting aspartame FDA approved despite overwhelming evidence at how harmful that crap is.

http://www.imagin.net/~abredon/links_aspartame.htm

[EG]

Originally posted by msan_msw


Is that a rhetorical question?

you heard meh...............

[White_Rooque]

he heh *snort*

[opus512]

Originally posted by dookiebot
You know one thing about Rumsfield that upsets me so?

He was instrumental in getting aspartame FDA approved despite overwhelming evidence at how harmful that crap is.

http://www.imagin.net/~abredon/links_aspartame.htm

How was Rumsfled involved?

I don't doubt he was, I think he's pretty slimey myself, but am wondering.