Ex-diplomats, generals blast Bush

[swag]

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040616-112837-8706r.htm


Washington, DC, Jun. 16 (UPI) -- Top former diplomats and military officials said Wednesday the Bush administration did not "rise to the responsibilities of world leadership."

The group, which calls itself Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change, said though it was bipartisan its members believe the administration had failed to preserve national security and provide world leadership.

"Serious issues are at stake," they said in a statement. "We need a change."

The group of 27, which has claimed every president since Harry S. Truman, said President Bush had adopted an "overbearing" approach to the U.S. role in the world.

. . .

[Worst Username Ever]

1. I don't get it

What does it mean to "claim every president since Turman?" Claim them for what???

[swag]

2. That's just bad writing, I guess

They have served every president since Truman.

[stellanoir]

3. one of them (William Harrop) is about to be interviewed live

over the next hour 2-3 pm EDT on the O'Franken show

Go to to the link at the top of the page if interested.

[maggrwaggr]

4. why is this story NOT on Yahoo?

I just looked for it. It's not there.

Disgraceful

[Robbien]

5. It is on Newsday

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-diplomats-statement,0,7467048.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

and the LATimes
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/wire/sns-ap-diplomats-statement,1,4720235.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

and TheNation's headline is Bush (41) and Reagan Officials says Bush (43) Must Go

http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml%3Fi=20040628&s=kvh

[Spazito]

6. Here are the Yahoo Links...

Bush Policies a Failure, Retired U.S. Diplomats Say

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040616/pl_nm/iraq_usa_critics_dc

26 Ex-U.S. Diplomats Urge Bush's Ouster

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=536&ncid=536&e=4&u=/ap/20040616/ap_on_el_pr/diplomats_statement

(be sure to rate them a 5, I suspect they will be freeped big time!)

[llmart]

9. Just rated them both a 5

You know it's pretty bad when all these people on both sides of the aisle say * must go. He has definitely earned the moniker "Worst President Ever". Helen Thomas was right.

[4_Legs_Good]

7. Where's the letter?

and where's a list of everyone who signed?

david

[papau]

8. Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change - with 20 ambassadors!

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&ncid=703&e=4&u=/ap/20040616/ap_on_el_pr/diplomats_statement

26 Ex-U.S. Diplomats Urge Bush's Ouster



By HARRY DUNPHY, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - A group of 26 retired U.S. diplomats and military officers (20 ambassadors, appointed by presidents of both parties, other former State Department officials and military leaders whose careers span three decades) said Wednesday that President Bush should be voted out of office in November for damaging U.S. national security interests and America's standing in the international community.

"Today we see that structure crumbling under an administration blinded by ideology and a callous indifference to the world around it," said Phyllis Oakley, former assistant secretary of state for intelligence and research. "Never before have so many of us felt the need for a major change in the direction of our foreign policy."


Retired Gen. Merrill A. "Tony" McPeak, former Air Force chief of staff, said the Bush administration anticipated a rosy reception after a military victory in Iraq (news - web sites) but "we were totally unprepared for the post-combat occupation. So we see here unfolding before us a total disaster."


Charles Freeman, former ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf war, said the administration's handling of wider relations with the Islamic world was particularly damaging to U.S. interests in the long run.


The group, which calls itself Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change, did not explicitly endorse Democrat John Kerry for president in its statement. But one of its members said Sunday "it goes more or less without saying."<snip>

[Just Me]

10. And the stock neocon response is: "it's just political". Assholes! n/t

[Tight_rope]

11. They also said that they are voting for Kerry. Enough said.

That's all I needed to hear. The rest we know already.

[leftchick]

12. Here is a reuters link....

Because I hate using the WT...http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=578&e=4&u=/nm/20040616/pl_nm/iraq_usa_critics_dc


Iraq War Eroded U.S. Security, Former Diplomats Say

"We all believe that current administration policies have failed in the primary responsibilities of preserving national security and providing world leadership," said a statement signed by the 27 retired officials. "We need a change."


The rare criticism by career officials came from a group that included members of both major political parties, a former CIA (news - web sites) director, two former ambassadors to the Soviet Union and a retired chairman of the military Joint Chiefs of Staff.


In attacking Bush's national security record, they challenged a key Bush argument for his re-election against Democrat Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), that the Iraq war has made America safer and that Bush is an effective wartime president.


"Our security has been weakened," the group said.

[fishnfla]

13. must read, kick

[Moderator]

14. duplicate

Please continue the diplomacy in this thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=619438