Andrew Bacevich, a retired Colonel, Vietnam vet, Boston University Professor, outspoken opponent of the Iraq war, and father of a soldier who recently died in Iraq, published this column in today’s WaPo.
Parents who lose children, whether through accident or illness, inevitably wonder what they could have done to prevent their loss. When my son was killed in Iraq earlier this month at age 27, I found myself pondering my responsibility for his death….
I did nurse the hope that my voice might combine with those of others — teachers, writers, activists and ordinary folks — to educate the public about the folly of the course on which the nation has embarked. I hoped that those efforts might produce a political climate conducive to change. I genuinely believed that if the people spoke, our leaders in Washington would listen and respond.
This, I can now see, was an illusion….
Memorial Day orators will say that a G.I.’s life is priceless. Don’t believe it. I know what value the U.S. government assigns to a soldier’s life: I’ve been handed the check. It’s roughly what the Yankees will pay Roger Clemens per inning once he starts pitching next month….
In joining the Army, my son was following in his father’s footsteps: Before he was born, I had served in Vietnam. As military officers, we shared an ironic kinship of sorts, each of us demonstrating a peculiar knack for picking the wrong war at the wrong time. Yet he was the better soldier — brave and steadfast and irrepressible.
I know that my son did his best to serve our country. Through my own opposition to a profoundly misguided war, I thought I was doing the same. In fact, while he was giving his all, I was doing nothing. In this way, I failed him.
Read the whole thing.
That’s just horrible.
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Why, why, WHY did the Democrats give in to Mr. 28%.
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He could have vetoed all he wanted. Then he would have been the one refusing the funds. The Democrats foolishly gave in to Mr. 28% – and then had the audacity to lie about it, saying they were finally getting accountability on this mess. Bull shit.
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Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi now own an equal share of this war with President Bush. They all should be ashamed, but especially Reid and Pelosi for giving in and appeasing this mad man in the oval office.
Marine Corps General Butler was twice awarded the Medal of Honor. Upon retirement he reflected upon his life. He gave this speech many places. When called upon by interests to overthrow the Roosevelt administration, he was the hero that exposed the plot.
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Now, too, there is too much money being made by our elected representatives to stop the war. We might elect them, by other interests control them.
Rob – I am interested in the speech – could you paste in the link? Deb
http://www.fas.org/m…
I expect if Gen. Smedly Butler were alive today he would tell us the USA went into Irag for Halliburton and Big Oil.
here.
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http://www.foxnews.c…
for Andrew Bacevich Jr. last Monday, May 21st, in Norwood, MA
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Also on last Monday, May 21st, Mitt Romney was in Houston TX glad handing GOP types, followed later by a meet and greet in Hartford CT.
David, thank you for posting both the excerpt and the link. Lt. Bacevich’s pain is palpable. It IS hard to do all you can to right a wrong – and lose.
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In fact, in doing court appointed legal work, where DSS has taken my client’s child, and I get to know that client as a person and a parent and am truly convinced that my client IS a fit parent – and I fight for weeks, months, years – and that parent loses their child anyway – it is painful.
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The only way I can continue to do that kind of work is to let go of the illusion that I control events. I have to remind myself that I do not control people, places, and things, and be sure I have done my personal, absolute best. And then if wrong triumphs, doing my best has to suffice. It can be cold, cold and bittersweet and painful, at best.
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I disagree with him that Lt. Bacevich “did nothing”. He told the truth at great personal cost. Telling the truth, however, did not controsl events. And therein lies the pain.
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The next chapter belongs to all of us, we are still writing the story of our country.
He’s got this wrong.
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The first word was the error. It is not money, but Americans’ lack of interest in politics, that is the culprit for all of the sins listed above.
Sadly, money is the culprit. Our representatives spend way too much time raising money and too little time governing. We average folks are being cheated in at least three ways. First, even if we do get involved, our ability to affect policy is greatly diminished unless we have money to contribute. (Guess what happens if someone gets involved and they then realize that money actually is what matters… they become less involved.) Second, because politicians have to spend so much time raising money, they do not have time to work on policies that could make our lives better, and we end up with mediocre legislation or legislation that is written by the groups with the money. Third, a lot of money is needed partly because the corporations who profit from their use of the airways, which we own, refuse to provide free access to candidates.
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Money matters way too much in our political system.
The fact is, a lot of it is spent to influence the average voter, who is not particularly interested or involved in politics…the money is used for sophisticated marketing campaigns including expensive TV ad buys. If most voters were pro-active in seeking out information about candidates and issues, rather than passively absorbing 15-second political ad slogans, things would be a whole lot different.
however I will comment on what I read on the face of the original post.
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Colonel Bacevich lost his son to a war that he opposed. Col. Bacevich is as entitled to his opinion as is anyone.
I am somewhat suprised after his Vietnam experience, which the colonel alludes to with distaste, that the was inclined to remain in the military, be promoted, order other men to their deaths , presumably, retire, and collect a pension.
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Little late isn’t colonel to be complaining?
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Col Bacevich’s son elected to graduate from college, be commissioned an officer in the US Army and serve his country, for better or worse, as his own person. Capt. Bacevich no doubt harbored his own thoughts regarding this present enterprise. When one chooses to enlist or be commissioned by congress in our armed forces one relinquishes to right to choose between good and bad orders, just and unjust military campaigns, good and bad officers and nco’s. One does as one is so ordered.
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The voters of the United States of America, who are so inclined, elect a president and commander in chief every four years. That commander in chief takes an oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America—-by every means available. We elect a president and we abide by that presidents orders.
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Enough with the hand wringing. I would hazard a guess that few of you folks ghave ever spent a night in a foxhole in a foreign land in defense of this country. I would further hazard a guess that most of you folks have done nothing in your entire lives in defense of this country except bellyache about things that you haven’t the feintest idea what you are talking about other than exercising your larynx or digits.
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Yes, Iraq was poorly planned, yes, the the post invasion plans were poorly thought out and executed, yes, there was abysmally flawed intelligence. Do these faults preclude the necessity of invading Iraq? I don’t know, but we did, and now we have to live with it and make the best of it.
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Think not for a second that Al Qaeda will not be here before long wreaking havoc. You must do, what you must do.
We must stop these people elsewhere , rather than in Cambridge or Newton. Their religious extremism is engulfing the world .
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I have thirty years of military service. I wasn’t in a lofty position such as Col. Bacevich. I was a little guy. I did what folks like Col. Becevich so ordered, the possibility of losing my life was not an issue. I obeyed because that was my duty. That is just the way it is in the military, otherwise the system would immediately collapse, and millions would die.
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So knock off the hand wringing. We have a voluntary military service. Everyone raised their right hand voluntarily. Everyone is a big boy. You want to bring back the compulsary military service then do so.
And thank you for the reality check most folks really need.
the original post, because you need to take your head out of your ass first.
That?s nice of you. I?m sure Col. Bacevich (& his son) would thank you for allowing him to have his opinion.
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So Col. Bacevich, who is a decorated Vietnam Vet, has written a number of influential and insightful books on foreign policy and diplomacy, and now lost a son in Iraq, is ?complaining?? I?m embarrassed for you to see such an idiotic statement.
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Yeah, and last time I checked, his father didn?t give up his right to criticize the policies of the U.S. government because his son enlisted, despite what some GOP keyboard commando might think.
The commander in chief also takes an oath to uphold the laws of this country. He was elected POTUS not King. There?s a difference in a democracy, and the POTUS isn’t immune from criticism, especially when he wrecklessly sacrifices American blood & treasure.
I?ve got family and friends either serving or former military, who hate this war and GWB?s guts, so what? They’re also trying to defend this country from right wing nut jobs who like to spew authoritarian GOP talking points, and there seems to be an endless supply of them.
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?I don?t know?? ?These faults?? This is your argument? So thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed needlessly, billions squandered, our military is being hollowed out, our standing in the world diminished, all because of our inept POTUS, and we should ‘live with it’?. Wait,let me guess what?s coming next: We needed to invade Iraq because of?
Iraq had nothing to do with Al Qaeda, or 9/11. Iraq is the greatest foreign policy disaster in our history, and has done nothing to help us defend ourselves against Al Qaeda, in fact it?s distracted us from it and stretched our military to the breaking point.
So because you served 30 years in the military, we should all listen to you. But Col. Bacevich, or General Odom or any of the other former military officers who oppose Bush?s numbskull policies and think that Iraq is a disaster, those guys should stop ?hand wringing?. Got it big boy. And Col. Bacevich, who lost his son last week in Iraq is ?complaining?? Sure thing. Thanks for clarifying all that on Memorial Day.
I like Colonel Bacevich was exercising my right to the 1st amendment.
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I never said nor implied that I did not lament the loss of Capt. bacevich. What I did say was the captain knowingly died in the defense of his country. I have been in many situations when continued existence was doubtful, but God chose for me to survive. I went back into harms way repeatedly. Not necessarily by choice, but because it was my duty. When you raise your right hand you swear that you will sacrifice your life in defense of this country.
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If you take the time to read up on your history you’ll find that up until 12/7/41 many people in USA thought that Germany was Europe’s problem and Japan was China’s problem.
A slight miscalculation. Others, such as Charles Lindberg et al never thought that Herr Hitler was such a bad guy.
Time gives one a better perspective on the historical
efficacy of a military action. However, there are times when a malevolent force such as nazism or fascism and yes even religious fanaticism must be dealt an unequivical death blow.
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If Col. Bacevich had stated that everyone in Washington was an incompetent fool, I may agree with him. However, the cause of ending Al Qaeda, its adherents and proponents is very likely the wisest course of action.
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But, to continue the analogy, it is as if we attempted to deal nazism and fascism a death blow by attacking Franco. PPST. Piss poor strategic thinking.
its disgraceful enough to slur a vet on Memorial Day
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but worse to threaten someone after slurring them
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Thank you BMG
You?re not fooling anyone with your revisionist babble. I hadn?t seen your sorry act before, but I get it now. It?s pretty pathetic.
Are you denying you threatened me? Revisionist man
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Don’t you have a corner to go stand on?
That people are starting to look at the source of information rather than take it at face value. It seems Paul Jamieson feels threatened often. Here is another time he pulled this BS, and my answer to it:
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http://bluemassgroup…
A tip of the hat, MRCD.
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I only served one hitch.
You have my respect.
the dutiful obedience of our men and women in uniform. They deserve our respect and gratitude today and every day.
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No, the issue is a President who refuses to act in accordance with the wishes of the American people. And why will he not do so? Not because he has any hope that his “strategy” will ultimately work. Bush persists because he lacks the decency, honesty, and courage to admit he has been wrong from the start in Iraq, and he cravenly hopes that by dragging out the inevitable withdrawal his successor will share some of history’s burden for this tragic episode. I can think of few people I would less want to share a foxhole with than the smirking, third-rate, preppy coward George W. Bush.
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Bacevich’s point is that our democratic system has failed to correct Bush’s mistake in time to save his son and so many other sons and daughters. The Democrats in Congress may be right in their calculation that it is politically wise to let the President have his war funding for several more months. But next November, as we tally the number of House and Senate seats that have switched from Red to Blue over the public’s disenchantment with the war, we should temper our celebration, since the price of those seats will have been paid in blood by the hundreds of Americans and thousands of Iraquis who will lose their lives between now and then.
that is what i see this post as being about. yes, everyone who volunteers is a big boy/girl. but they should be able to hang their hat on the expectation that their lives will not be wasted by some fool. thank heavens that you made it through 30 years without getting killed for no reason. i thank you for your service. you may not believe that thanks coming from me, but my appreciation is real. may those currently serving be deployed wisely so that they don’t get killed for nothing more than lies and daddy’s warbucks.
I need no thanks. I’ve enjoyed a very full life with a few bumps in the road. The folks who we should thank on a routine basis are the many wonderful Americans who are currently in service of their country and the hundreds of thousands and millions of our countrymen who gave their lives willingly, so that we may enjoy the cherished blessings with which we are surrounded.
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Yes, even the freedom to complain.
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Just one added thing. Military commanders, from lieutenant
to general, ensign to admiral have in the past, committed acts of commission as well as ommission that have resulted in a catastrophic loss of life of biblical proportion.
Lives of thousands cast before the wind because of arrogance, pride, egotism, and sometimes plain garden variety stupidity. George Bush couldn’t hold a candle to some of these men. There was once a British general who was the senior officer at the Battle of the Somme (WWI).
This man was essentially responsible for the deaths and loss of fifty eight thousand men in one day. Try to intellectually grasp that. It’s beyond comprehension. I have my own memories of my service that leave me profoundly
depressed at this time every year. War is an extremely unpleasant business. Unfortunately, we as human beings seem condemned to repeat this unproductive behavior endlessly. As long as their is evil in the world. Someone has to step in and say, “enough is enough.” Honor them.
Thanks for the post. However, to the main point:
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Actually, he could, and that is precisely the point. Just count the Iraqi dead.
You say, “That commander in chief takes an oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America—-by every means available.” President Bush has violated this oath. He has not defended the Constitution; he has tried to decimate it. By the way, defending the Constitution does not only mean taking up arms to defend our country; it also means upholding the principles of the Constitution. So many times over the past 6 years, President Bush has chosen his own need for power over upholding the Constitution. It is not surprising to me that the man who found a way to avoid actually fighting for his country during the Vietnam era has also found ways not to defend the Constitution.
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I also object to your statement,
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Why do you think spending a night in a fox hole is the only way that people can defend the Constitution or the freedoms we have in this country? It is not. It also takes people standing up to abuses of the Constitution by speaking out, by appearing in court, and/or by voting. Quite frankly, the most powerful military in the world cannot ensure democracy, as our country has learned so painfully in Iraq. It also takes ordinary citizens demanding that their rights be protected and that the rule of law be followed.
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And your assumption that none of us who post on this blog could not possibly understand the sacrifice that members of the military is offensive and misguided. For example, my father and mother and both my grandfathers served in the military during wartime. One of my grandfathers died at age 50 of gastric ulcers, probably because he was gassed during WWI. So, I never got to meet him. My father lost his leg in WWII and years later suffered a stroke directly related to that injury. As a result, he spent the last 18 years of his life in a wheel chair and unable to speak. Me and my sisters fully understand the sacrifices that were, and are, made on our behalf by members of the military. I do not need you to tell me.
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If my grandfathers and my parents were still alive today, I have no doubt that they would be appalled at what this President has done. They understood what war meant and that it should only be used if absolutely necessary. The Iraq war was not necessary.
With regard to Professor Bacevich’s reference to this “profoundly misguided war,” I find it necessary to provide a link here to the Shrum revelations about Kerry. Professor Bacevich says about his son, that “while he was giving his all, I was doing nothing. In this way, I failed him.” In not voting against a war he privately doubted was necessary, Senator Kerry failed the parents of 3455 (and counting) U.S. servicemen and servicewomen. 77 Senators voted in 2002 to authorize Bush to launch the war, giving him a blank check. How many voted yea just to avoid appearing soft?
MCRD,
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I’m in awe of your 30 years of service.
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I only did four years in the Navy, and can’t even begin to imagine what it took to for you to do 30.
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For your service to our country, you have my thanks.