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Re: OpinionJournal Article: General Malaise
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Michael P. Noonan
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Jan 29, 2004 07:43 PST
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LTC H:
While I am not a big fan of GEN Wesley Clark's I think that he may
be the victim of his success in climbing the ranks. Other officers
bet on their patrons to climb the ranks and help them along. As
GEN Powell, paraphrasing here, is quoted in the late COL
Summers' NEW WORLD STRATEGY: there is no General who
isn't political in some way. (Sorry don't have my copy here at the
office.)
Although Tocqueville warns about the quest for rank in
DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA, I think that rank competition, at
higher levels, may be a good thing for strengthening civilian control.
And as for someone who has served under GEN Clark, I remember
some stories from the early fall time-frame where COL Douglas
Macgregor, who worked for the general at NATO, had positive
things to say about Clark's character and leadership. I will check
my clippings if you want to see the stories.
Michael
On 28 Jan 04, at 22:10, Zoola-@aol.com wrote:
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In a message dated 1/27/04 11:10:07 PM, lewis-@yahoo.com writes:
<< You send us things about why Kerry is unsuitable. You'll send us things
about why Clark is unsuitable. Why Dean is unsuitable. If the front
runners changed, one suspects you would send us things about why they're
unsuitable. You don't like pie. Got it and that's great, >>
Mark Lewis--Have never said anything about Dean or any other candidate, front
runner or not, other than Military items of interest about Kerry and Clark.
I may have concerns about other candidates or other issues, but do not feel I
have enough information, let alone expertise (quasi, pseudo or actual) to
inflict my concerns on others, for issues about which I have no more idea than
the proverbial joe sixpack. I don't know from nothing about all the other
issues and candidates, so I don't have anything to say.
I mentioned the Kerry thing because I feel what he did, with Ramsay Clark and
Jane Fonda and a bunch of phony non-vets was then and still is a damn shame.
I believe I am moderately well informed on those matters.
All I know about Clark is that he is very much not trusted by those who have
served with him Have yet to hear a *defender* who actually served with or
under the man.
Lots of other issues and lots of other candidates, and on those you have not
hear me offer comment one. Nor will you.
I will refrain from further comments on politics, even the military aspect
thereof, since they are likely to rub some very wrong, no matter what those
comments might be. Tactics and other aspects of National Security are more than
enough for my plate.
Higinbotham
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Michael P. Noonan
Research Fellow (Defense Policy)
Deputy Director, Program On National Security
Foreign Policy Research Institute
1528 Walnut Street, Ste. 610, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone:(215) 732-3774, ext. 203 Fax: (215) 732-4401
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