Uncommon Incompetence

I was strongly opposed to beginning U.S. war action in Iraq. (There were several reasons for my view, but that is a subject all its own.) But, I was also convinced that if we did go to war, it was essential that we pursue it vigorously to a successful conclusion. Our national credibility was on the line. If the world was going to continue to take the United States seriously, we could not stop short of utterly defeating the government of Saddam Hussein. So, once the battle was engaged, I supported doing everything possible to bring it to a victorious conclusion.

The inherent problem with deposing any government is that it must be replaced. Even the worst and most oppressive governments on the planet fulfill some vital functions. Maintaining order is chief among them. This is SO basic that I was flabbergasted when the coalition forces allowed Baghdad to descend into anarchy following Saddam Hussein's ouster. I could not believe the incompetence!

Eventually, some semblance of order was restored but only after considerable damage had been done. It was as if the victorious military had no idea what to do with itself after the Iraqi government had been defeated. I'll grant you that George W. Bush is not the brightest bulb on the tree, but couldn't his advisers have warned about the need for immediate next step planning and implementation?

This delay in restoring order told the Iraqi people and the rest of the world that the coalition forces were being led by incompetents. It was an open invitation to anyone who wanted to create havoc in the coming days. How could it be taken otherwise?

Jesus said that when an evil spirit is cast out, if it finds that nothing has replaced it, it will take seven other spirits that are even more evil and return. That makes the latter state worse than the former. This is ancient wisdom. WHY WAS IT OVERLOOKED?

I don't have a satisfactory answer to this question. My inability to understand the lack of foresight undermines my confidence in the Bush administration's ability to bring any sort of long term benefit for this military action to our country, the Middle East, or even the people of Iraq.

That's my two cents.

Wade Houston
September 2, 2007