In my previous blog I inserted a book report on the "Rise Of The Vulcans". I feel that this gives a good description of where the key players in Bush's administration have come from. Another book that I found interesting was called "Bush's Brain". This book may have a hidden agenda but I think it is true in many respects.

During the 2002 presidential primaries Karl Rove & Company did a real smear job on John McCain. In spite of that, once Bush was elected McCain threw his support behind Bush. Although it is obvious that he disagrees with many of Bush's policies McCain has remained a true Republican and a good soldier and makes positive statements about Bush's policies. Although this is perplexing it seems apparent that McCain has presidential aspirations in 2008. His strategy appears to include not alienating the large corporate element that has supported Bush from his own support.

It is interesting to speculate who might run with McCain in the next presidential election. It would be my preference if Colin Powell were to accept that position. Condolesa Rice is another possibility, but not one of my choice. In the meantime we are going through the debate about defining an endpoint for the mess in Iraq. Obviously an abrupt withdrawal and subsequent Civil War is not a good scenario. So far the debate has been polarized and no feasible plan put forth. The important thing right now is that the current strategy for the war is being questioned. Hopefully putting light on the subject will bring forth a more coherent plan.

Since much of the discussion that occurs today goes back to whether or not the war was justified. It continues to bring out some of the old saws as such as weapons of mass destruction, chemical weapons, tie to Al Qaeda, the promotion of terrorism throughout the world etc. etc. I think that the subject of weapons of mass destruction is very weak in the sense that considering the decrepit nature of the Hussein regime it is highly unlikely that any sophisticated nuclear device would be forthcoming. Secondly even if weapons of a nuclear type were to be developed there was no feasible way that it could be delivered outside of Iraq. Iraq has no Air Force capable of delivering something like that. So to me that is a very weak argument. The subject of chemical weapons development appears to have been based on very questionable information from a source dubbed "Curveball". The German intelligence agency is on record as disclaiming any credibility for this source citing he was an unstable personality and they put little or no credence in what he had to say. Nonetheless the Bush administration's need for information that bolstered their purposes exploited it, much to the embarrassment of Colin Powell.

One of the things that is becoming very obvious in discussions regarding postwar planning is that the Bush administration has little or no understanding of the nature of the people of the Middle East. again misinformation was apparently supplied that indicated the Iraqi people would greet an American invasion with rose petals and parades. That proved also to be entirely faults. Even today conflicting polls indicate the Iraqi people, in general, would like the Americans to leave. Some however, say that is not the case and that the Iraqi people want the Americans to stay to maintain the so-called peace. Obviously there is no peace and although many people say let's mention the progress that has been made instead of concentrating on the mayhem that is being committed daily and we'll get a better picture of what's going on there. Much hope is being placed on the tentative steps being taken to form an Iraqi government. It is very problematical that any hastily conceived Iraqi government will be able to establish the law and order that is necessary to bring peace to that area. Obviously the Sunni element which had enjoyed favorable treatment under Hussein is not going to capitulate easily. If in some manner an arrangement is made that satisfies the Sunni's so much the better, how likely that is to happen is yet to be seen.

In attempting to get a clear picture of what might be close to the reality of the situation I find the talking heads, the expert panel's, the various commentaries, all seemed to be attempts to spin the topical bits of information to bolster a point of view. I'd delight to find a book by an objective, knowledgeable, readable author that might lend credible insight to this mess of a situation. If anyone has suggestions I'd appreciate them.