One of the Architects behind the Escalation in Iraq was asked to become the "War Czar"

[ck4829]

And he turned it down, I wonder why.

"President Bush has taken one of the most curious steps yet in a war that keeps getting, as Alice used to say in Wonderland, curiouser and curiouser.

He has appointed Lt. Gen. Douglas E. Lute, who is currently chief operations officer for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as his “war czar” to oversee the conduct of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

At least five retired four-star generals are reported to have turned down the job, including retired Army Gen. Jack Keane, co-author of the plan that was modified into the “surge,”"

http://www.cnjonline.com/opinion/gen_21598___article.html/war_lute.html

[madokie]

1. haven't heard much from the general

cat get his tongue maybe

[malaise]

2. From Media Matters

http://mediamatters.org/items/200704130002
<snip>
One of them, retired Marine General Jack Sheehan told The Washington Post, quote, "The very fundamental issue is, they don't know where the hell they're going. So rather than go over there, develop an ulcer and eventually leave, I said, "No, thanks." I love the Marines.

Sheehan said Vice President Cheney holds more sway in the administration than those who are looking for a way out of Iraq.

Is this the same Gen. Jack Keane who rejected the premise that political pressure influences military leaders? :puke: :puke:

http://newsbusters.org/node/3849
<snip>
Picking up on President Bush’s assurance, in his Tuesday night State of the Union address, that military decisions in Iraq will be made by military leaders, MSNBC’s Chris Matthews and Joe Scarborough rejected the notion of any such military independence, but during ABC’s coverage, when Charles Gibson similarly questioned if the military will be able to determine troop levels, retired General Jack Keane, Vice Chief of Staff of U.S. Army from 1999-2003, maintained that the feared political pressure is an illusion.

Edit: add.

[Captain Hilts]

3. They had to find an Active Duty guy who could be ordered to take the job.

He's a three star who's supposed to boss around four stars?

It makes NO SENSE whatsoever.