January 09, 2004

They're Scared of Clark, Too

from - smijer

While we are waiting on today's Nealz Snuze, its worth taking a moment to reflect on the audacity of some of yesterday's spin. It seems that General Shelton and General Clark had a little bit of bad blood between them over toppling one of those bloody dicatators like Saddam Hussein, and Shelton engaged in some office politics. Here's Neal's spin from yesterday:

A quick word about the surging candidacy of Weasley Clark. Remember, he was fired. Not your ordinary retirement from years of service in our armed forces. He was fired. He lost his command in the Kosovo/Bosnia campaign because of what his superior defined as issues involving "integrity and character." Perhaps some of you have heard the rumors. We'll just say, do we need more of the Clinton-type scandals in the White House?

Ok, here are some excerpts from the Clark resumé, about his "integrity and character":

His stellar work led James T. Lynn in the Office of Management and Budget to state, "Major Clark is the most able White House Fellow I have known during my seven years in Washington. He brought to his work a brilliant mind and rare common sense. He has initiative, style, imagination, moral courage, and integrity each in extraordinary degree. He has a rare sensitivity to others and a remarkable ability to motivate and lead them. He is totally dedicated to public service as a military officer."
...
Two years later while Clark was the Commander of the 1st Battalion, 77th Armor, 4th Infantry Division in Fort Carson, Colorado, Colonel Lester E. Bennett praised him, "Clark exhibits the best balance of professional ethics of any officer I know. Particularly noteworthy is his demonstrated selfless dedication to his men, his unit, and the Army. He exhibits absolute integrity of word, deed... he establishes and observes scrupulous ethical and moral standards."

::

...

"Professional and moral attributes are impeccable," stated General Edwin Burba, Jr. during this time. "Strong in all areas. Best leader-thinker in the Army... a great leader who takes care of soldiers and families... He has it all and has done it better than anyone else."

Oh yeah... I left out the mushy parts about his courage in the face of enemy fire, his selfless dedication to his men, the Army, and his country. I left out how he formed an international coalition and toppled a bloody dictator and stopped an ongoing genocide without the loss of American life, and everything else that didn't explicitly use words like "integrity" and "character". These performance reviews were not written while Clark was running for President. They were written while he served. Kinda' makes you wonder why Neal Boortz is so eager to repeat Shelton's political ploys, doesn't it?

Not me, 'cause I know who Boortz is working for. And I know they're "yellow" about running against Dean or Clark.

P.S. - I wouldn't expect a mere radio hack to know it, but Clark wasn't fired. He retired from the Army voluntarily, at the time of his choosing, and with a distinguished resumé. He was relieved of command over the Kosovo operation, due to some of the inevitable differences between a field commander and pentagon Brass. That's not the same as getting fired. He retired from the Army with honor.

Posted by smijer at January 9, 2004 06:35 AM
Comments

Don't forget smijer that there were thousands of civilian casualties as a result Clark's brilliant aerial campaign. So when he talks about his compassion for human life relize that he ordered compassionless airstrikes. Just as so many anti-war lefties hate the Bush administration for.

I support the action in Kosovo, as one of the better things done in the Clinton administration(and I'm conservative).

So I'm just taking this opportunity to point at some hypocracy on your side of things...

Also the idea of Clark getting into office is not something I'm concerned with. Dean either for that matter...

Please do me a favor guys, make sure Edwards doesn't get the nomination. The last thing we need is another trial lawyer passing legislation for his buddies. My insurance is expensive enough already thanks...

univar.jpg Posted by Tim on January 9, 2004 11:11 AM
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Tim, I think there is some validity to that criticism. I personally haven't complained openly about civilian casualties in either war, but they are a concern to me, and I do take them into consideration when forming my own views.

univar.jpg Posted by smijer on January 9, 2004 11:40 AM
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