An independent assessment of the war is a great idea

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An independent assessment of the war is a great idea

Published: Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 6:00 am


http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006610140311

By Roger G. Owens


An Iraq Study Group, headed by former Secretary of State James Baker, a Republican, and former U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton, a Democrat, has been formed by Congress to conduct a forward-looking, independent assessment of the current and prospective situation on the ground in Iraq, its impact on the surrounding region, and consequences for U.S. interests. It was formed in March of this year, and is tasked to report its findings and recommendations in a few months. U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., has been credited with originating the idea.

I wrote a column in The Greenville News in December 2005 that was titled "U.S. should get serious in Iraq or get out." The column basically discussed the loss of credibility by the Bush administration with the public, and the need for fresh, authoritative, credible voices and ideas. It also included a proposal for the appointment of a bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission, which would have included former presidents and other prominent public officials. One of the most satisfying outcomes of the 30 or so years in which I have written articles for publication has been validation and vindication by events.

I have great respect for Secretary James Baker. He is a smart, level-headed public servant who is not driven by ideology. He is of the old-fashioned belief that facts, logic, national interest and information should drive opinions and actions more than ideology. He is also a patriot who places national interests above partisan political concerns, a refreshing view in today's environment.

The commission is not as high-powered as one headed by former presidents would have been, but it has merit and promise. The important thing is that this appears to be at least a tacit admission by the Bush administration (even though they ostensibly assented rather than appointed the commission) that they are ready to admit that all knowledge and wisdom on this subject does not reside with the neo-cons associated with the administration. That is an important turn of events. The administration to this point has seemed inherently incapable of admitting such a stunning fact. They and they alone possessed all the answers, even though thus far their war solutions have generally been misguided and ineffectual.