Kissinger: Military Win In Iraq Impossible

Former Secretary Of State Joins Call For U.S. Talks With Iraq's Neighbors, Including Iran

(AP)  Military victory is no longer possible in Iraq, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said in a television interview broadcast Sunday.

In a wide ranging interview on British Broadcasting Corp. television, Kissinger presented a bleak vision of Iraq, saying the U.S. government must enter into dialogue with Iraq's regional neighbors — including Iran — if any progress is to be made in the region.

"If you mean by 'military victory' an Iraqi Government that can be established and whose writ runs across the whole country, that gets the civil war under control and sectarian violence under control in a time period that the political processes of the democracies will support, I don't believe that is possible," he said on the BBC's Sunday AM breakfast show.

But Kissinger warned against a rapid withdrawal of troops, saying it could lead to "disastrous consequences," destabilizing Iraq's neighbors and causing a long-lasting conflict.

"If you withdraw all the forces without any international understanding and without any even partial solution of some of the problems, civil war in Iraq will take on even more violent forms and achieve dimensions that are probably exceeding those that brought us into Yugoslavia with military force," he said.

Iraq's neighbors, especially those with large Shia populations, would be destabilized should there be a quick withdrawal from Iraq, Kissinger said.

"So I think a dramatic collapse of Iraq — whatever we think about how the situation was created — would have disastrous consequences for which we would pay for many years and which would bring us back, one way or another, into the region," he said.

Kissinger, whose views have been sought by the Iraqi Study Group, led by former Secretary of State James Baker III, called for an international conference bringing together the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Iraq's neighbors and regional powers like India and Pakistan to work out a way forward for the region.

He also said that the process would have to include Iran and that the U.S. must enter into dialogue with the country.

Asked if it was time for President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair to change course, he responded: "I think we have to redefine the course, but I don't think that the alternative is between military victory, as defined previously, or total withdrawal."

[turnthepage2]

Mr. Kissinger,

Are we to believe you now after you are the one who provided monthly guidance to the Bush administration on how to manage Iraq that eventually led us to this quagmire that we are in?

How could we save face and enguage with the "axis of evil" Iran to work out a compromise?

Why has no one called for a world religion summit of all major muslim groups to put a decree out to stop the violence on all sides to work out a final political settlement?

[tinker3478]

Spoken by ze mon who brokered the Paris Peace accords and helped get us out of Viet Nam. Unlikely that the Bush bunch will listen.

[tinker3478]

turn-buddy, you can't negotiate with terrorists or women. Didn't your Daddy teach you anything.

[bob_burd]

There is too much sabotage from Iraq's neighbors and religious factions going on to achieve a diplomatic solution. Diplomacy is impossible with Iran, who is a huge problem and a nuclear powder keg-in waiting. Russia continues to be a covert presence of support to America's enemies as well, because its double-dealing agenda has not changed an iota since the Cold War.

A military war cannot be won against primitive tribal people who believe that by blowing themselves up they will go go paradise. Israel has stated the hard truth; the only solution to dealing with muslim terrorists is to SEND them to paradise. But this is only an ongoing solution which just keeps extremists temporarily at bay until new followers evolve to take their place.

Armageddon is a slow, insidious process, isn't it? And to think everyone figured World War III would be a declared war. This clash of civilizations will be the war to end all wars, and has already been going on longer than either of the first two world wars lasted.

There will be no winners.

Selah

[dargay]

Selah: Israel has failed to defeat "terrorism" after 40 years of oppression and military action against the Palestinians AND Lebanese. Dont listen to Israelis if you want to solve problems.

And forget about this "Clash of Civilizations" nonsense.

[saraity100]

It is impossible as long as they (Iraqi) don't want peace and reconciliation for their own. It is obvious that the Iraqi government and muslim terrorist are equally responsible for those killings. It means both side want to keep it that way.

[vancouverboo]

Bush got us into this thing. Let him figure out how to get "us" out. Has he never in his life been responsible for cleaning up his own messes? Leave the immature little jerk alone to stew in his own juices.

[itraveler]

Just what we need, the captain of the Titanic giving us advice on how to sail our boat!!

It is interesting that anyone would even approach this guy for his opinions on the situation in Iraq. Hmmm leads me to wonder if he was involved in the decision to go there in the first place??

History really does repeat itself...

[mickeyjay31-2009]

What would Henry Kissinger know about warfare? Oh, is he basing his views on the terrific job the Nixon adminstration did with Vietnam? Lest we forget what a horror was that war. For those of you who weren't around or can't remember 'Nam, the Nixon adminstration did not end that war. Those of us in the streets were responsible for its demise. Nixon just happened to be the crook ("I am not a crook") in power. Getting advice form Henry Kissinger is a sure sign we on the right track and that track is headed for doom.

[staff2--2008]

let us learn from this...never elect a bumbling idiot from texas to the presidency...Mr. Bush in his greed to give the spoils of Iraq to his oil tycoon friends got us into a fine mess...the Supreme Court and our fine justices' made it all possible...even against the will of the people...we trully are what the rest of the world thinks of us...morons...

[arthurcl1]

This is what Kissinger said about Vietnam and now President Bush is in Hanoi shaking hands and stating "Buy American Goods", Thanks Friends!

[arthurcl1]

Henry likes this consultant job so he can go on living extravigantly at the governments expense! Of course he is Pro Iraq Forever!

[nynative1340]

Unfortunately some people think we have to stay in Iraq until we are defeated, as we did in Vietnam. Otherwise, if we pull out without a victory or a defeat, the idealists will forever say that we could have won, only IF...

This war is SO much like Vietnam. Both wars involved the overthrow of a leader who didn't agree with us. Kennedy had Diem murdered because he wouldn't go along with our war policy. Bush overthrew Saddam because Bush Sr. couldn't get the job done in the '90s, and because Saddam tried to assassinate Bush Sr. The OIL certainly plays a part in this, too.

We stayed in Vietnam against the advice of many wise men, and over 50,000 young Americans died. Was it worth it in the long run?

We've had much lower casualties in Iraq ONLY because we have far fewer troops there than in Vietnam. In fact, we have too few troops to get the job done. Any additional troops would require a DRAFT.

I never liked Kissinger much, but I agree with him 100 percent. We haven't won a war since WWII and we can't win this one. The proof is in the leadership.

[oleander8]

Whatever you think of the Nixon administration, Henry Krissinger is a brilliant man and should be listened to along with many others.

As for the pompous little rooster in the white house - I've never believed he had the "gray matter" to make the decisions that have brought this country down to the level we are now.

He is a puppet-figurehead for Cheney and company. This was Cheney's war from the beginning.

Bush makes Dan Quayle look smart. I've never understood the Bush attraction.

[grazinggoat]

Good comments oleander8,
but recently Kissmysinger has turned to be the biggest sh*t-stirrer in the world. Can anybody tell what he succeded at? except for bridging the israeli and egyptian foes together in 1978 which was great. It was only with DIPLOMACY. Not chest-boasting, not arm-twisting, not menaces. And it was a democrat government (President Carter) at the white house. So combination of steadfast and diplomacy can give results.

You're right when saying it's mostly the WaxyFace-Cheney's war. A man who yields a lesbian daughter has something wrong in his genes, and makes one believe he's not prone to govern a country without sad consequences. So let's oust this tribal gang in the next round of democracy expression (elections)

[kwlambi]

Im not sure why this guy is spinning words from London, because for years he blew words out of Paris to absolutely no avail. Is this what we will hear from Washington at years end? The South Vietnam collapse did not bring us back to that region. Everyone knows that Israel, unless they move to somewhere else, will always keep our interest in the region. What an ideological idiot Henry is.

[laurieleemoo]

you know i was raised not to use the word CAN'T in life. My parents said if I used that word it would be a guarantee that I would not succeed. I was always taught...that if you put your mind to it...you can do anything and that anything is possible.
I think we (the United States) will automatically fail in Iraq unless we change our attitudes and also change the attitudes of the american people. We MUST say that we CAN do this instead of repeating over and over that we CAN'T!!!! There is a lot to say about OPTOMISTIC LEADERS AND I COULD ALSO THINK A LOT TO SAY ABOUT PESSIMISTIC LEADERS. This country needs optimists------not pessimists!!!

Further, I think that victory in Iraq totally depends on our Goals also. Okay....if you want to say that victory in Iraq will be defeating the insurgents...well okay....you may be right there. We won't be able to stop all of these mad, radicals---we can not change a lot of their minds...I do realize that.

However, if you want to say victory in a goal of getting the Iraq government to take control and make their country secure.....well, as an optomist.....I would say....... that IS POSSIBLE.

Lets not quit...let us remain strong, steadfast and resolved in this goal.

Go America!!!!!

[exusmcsgt]

nynative1340-

You are correct in your analogy between Viet Nam and Iraq. In both cases, the resistance has utilized the understanding that they could not defeat a standing army, nor did they have to. They only need to be able to fight again tomorrow.

[exusmcsgt]

nynative1340-

Did you sleep through the Gulf War?

[feelfree1]

Kissenger was the matermind of the secret bombing campaign in Cambodia, which killed some 600,000 people. I don't know why anyone would be interested in the opinion of such a notorious war criminal. He is truly one of the most prolific terrorists of our time, in my opinion.

According to Kissenger, "Military men are just dumb stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy.%u201D

Let's not forget that the Bush apologists tried to appoint Kissinger as the head of the 9/11 white-wash Commission. Kissenger was forced to decline due to 'conflicts of interests'.

[emhawks]

To FeelFree1:
I agree. Add the following to the list of war criminals:
(1)Richard Cheney
(2)Robert McNamara-Us Sec. of Defense 1961-1968; his policies/actions helped shape the course/outcome of the Vietnam War;watch "The Fog of War".
(3)George W. Bush-Cheney's puppet president; Cheney has always been the real pres. & the Iraq war is his war.
(4)Don Rumsfeld-Arrogant to the end.
(5)bin Laden
(6)Saddam Hussein-The only good thing to come out of the Iraq war was the end of his bloody dictatorship.
(7)Anyone who aided in the 911 "whitewash"-The 911 investigation should be re-opened. There are too many un-answered questions. This probably won't happen until Bush/Cheney are out of office.

[ceekuei]

Whatever policy or strategy that is being developed in the Middle East with Iraq as the fulcrum, the outcome must benefit Israel. There is no alternative because of the powerful Jewish lobby most, if not all, US politicians are beholden to. America's interest is an extension of Israel's interest and vice versa. Until and unless there is severance between the two interests for the greater benefit of the Middle East, all the strategies and policies are doomed to failure. This war of aggression that pits US/Israel against the Muslims will continue long after these criminal players have gone to their graves. Short of the return of Christ or the Prophet, the Middle East conflict will go on unabated. Anyone who thinks otherwise is illusionary. Perhaps, curtailing US' oil and political interests in the region, establishing a Palestinian state, recognizing Israel, and the chutzpah to stop bending to the unconditional will of the Jewish lobby in the US could be a good start towards reducing the conflict. Too many have died. The dying must stop.

[im3000]

Kissinger is a ***. We already had our 'military victory' within weeks, then that memorable shot of Bush floating on a warship with his banner. The only reason we're still there is because the 'behind-the-scenes' players need a few more years of ($+$) military contracts. Its time for Pelosi to get off her *** and start swinging.

[laurieleemoo]

CEEKUEI ---American has stood behind Israel and we will ALWAYS stand behind Israel. Israel is an ally of ours and they would probably be one of the 1st to our defense if and when attacked by these muslims again. You are on the short end of the stick when it comes to what you stated about Israel and think GOD only about 10% of the people in this country have your opinion.

I hate to tell you...but this is even something both the Democrats and Republicans agee on.

You are allowed to your opinion...but I do not think it will get you very far in america.

Like it or not....we will always defend and stand by Israel.

Sorry!

The answer is NOT to kiss-*** these radical terrorist muslims. So what...they hate Israel and want to kill the jews...so what the rest of the world is suppose to also? No thanks, they can just keep america OUT of their jew hating campaign thank you very much.

[laurieleemoo]

The problems is NOT Israel. The problem is PEOPLE HATE JEWS AND WANT TO KILL THEM. The problem is we have UNCIVILZED MUSLIMS in this world. THEY ARE THE PROBLEM-----DO NOT PUT THIS BLAME ON ISRAEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[laurieleemoo]

MUSLIMS AND OTHER PEOPLE NEED TO STOP THEIR HATRED. That is the PROBLEM!!!!!!

[laurieleemoo]

THIS *** HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH HATRED AND NOTHING ELSE. THIS IS ABOUT PURE HATRED ON THE PART OF THE MUSLIM RADICALS.

THAT IS IT PERIOD----THATS WHAT THIS IS
ALL ABOUT.

You my little friend have been BRAINWASHED by your little muslim terrorists friends if you believe this is about anything other than HATE!!!!

[hrhacienda]

I think Mr. Kissinger has it right; military "victory" as we popularly understand it is no longer possible. It's my belief it never was. Sunni and Shia muslims have hated each other for centuries. What makes us think we can unify them? Iraq held together as a nation because it had a dictator who forced his will on three widely divergent groups. The world is better off he's gone, but Iraq as one nation may need to cease to exist. It will take all of our strength and patience to make that happen, but happen it must.

[grazinggoat]

Laurie, laurieleemoo, Laurie Boo, please stop your paranoia. Nobody hates jews here. The ones who hated them were the ones who they claim to have burnt them in gaz chambers in Germany and Polska... and those were catholic, evangelists and protestants...

Remember there were around six-millions (6,000,000) of them, unfortunately, dying because they belonged to Judaism. It's all about policies in the Middle-East. Judaism and Islam are surprisingly very similar. The policy of Zionism is the problem. Since many jews don't want to be represented by this movement, then there is a problem. People stubbornly standing behind this movement, that has been condemned hundreds of times by the United Nations and all the nations of the Planet, are the problem... they are confused between anti-semitism (which by the way arabs are semitic) and anti-Zionism.

So you want not to be just toward some nations to the sole benefit of another, then you got to expect more of this. Obviously Iraqi Arabs are not letting out. It's a land they have living on since centuries and colonized it, with sweat and blood. They are resisting the occupation of their land by the neo-colonialists that we, Americans, represent to them...

[ceekuei]

See what I mean? Unconditional support is where the problem is! Unconditional means regardless of whether Israel is right or wrong, US will support her. Israel can do anything, regardless of how cruel and inhuman her actions might be, she gets US support! It is this "support" that encourages the on going conflict. US will NEVER rescind its support of Israel. Therein lies the fundamental problem. Now, as far as hating, the Jews hate the Muslims just as much as the Muslims hate the Jews. Each does not have a monopoly on hate. Why? Each has demonized the other and so killing "them" is acceptable much like the Nazis in WW2 dehumanizing the Jews to justify the genocide without guilt. Remember, unconditional support is an encouragement. Would you, as a parent, bring up your children with unconditional support of their actions, even if the acts are criminal?

[tinker3478]

Hacienda, you have made one of the very few intelligent observations I've seen today:

"Iraq held together as a nation because it had a dictator who forced his will on three widely divergent groups."

The US has a history of destabilizing foreign countries, generally to the disarray of the country. Usually we only commit money, arms, and advisors but this administration who is anti-everything intelligent, as in everything else they've done, went overboard. What's the death toll today: 53?

[nynative1340]

No, Ex USMC Sargeant, I did not sleep through the Gulf War. In fact, during that time I was ending my 28 years in the military. Compared to what's going on now in Iraq, chasing Saddam out of Kuwait was hardly a war. Bush 41 should have completed the job by taking Saddam down, but he didn't because he had to smarts to know that it wouldn't be a "slam dunk," and I can't imagine that it would have been any easier then than it is now.

On the other hand, Bush 43, lacking the intelligence (smarts) and foresight that his father had, just charged in, thinking it was going to be a slam dunk, or so he was told by his CIA director.

Considering that the Vietnam and Iraq wars were both started with a lie, both were managed poorly, it's not entirely ironic that both will end with the same outcome.

When you consider that Bush 43 never ran a successful business, this should come as no surprise. Even his years as governor of Texas were not all that successfue. It's sad that, in this great nation, we have to pick our leaders from a handful of lackeys.

[tinker3478]

That's a big 10-4 nynative.

[nynative1340]

The Sunnis and Shias hate each other. The only thing they have in common besides their basic Islam religion, is that they also hate Westerners in general and Americans in particular. To understand that, one would have to read a lot of books, but one in particular says a lot. "Endless Enemies" explores our faulty foreign policy since the Eisenhower years.

One only has to know that we toppled a fledgling democracy in 1953 and installed a tyrant: the Shah. But that only intensified the hatred towards the West. That hatred started when British and then American oil companies literally went in and took over the middle east.

Wake up Americans!! The hatred pot has been brewing for a very long time...

[pendragon679]

"...when British and then American oil companies literally went in and took over the middle east."

Ted Koppel said it best on this morning's edition of "Face The Nation" when he stated that this is all about OIL. That's right folks, O-I-L. You know, black gold, Texas tea...

Nations outside of the Middle East have been fighting over Persian Gulf oil since WWI, and possibly before. The Gallipoli campaign was largely for oil; the North African campaign in WWII was for control of those massive oil fields; the first Gulf War was for oil; and the current mess is all about OIL. Until we get over our obsession with this toxic fossil fuel & begin to develop viable alternatives, we'll never get out of that quagmire...

The only way to win in Iraq is to either pull out now, or a few well placed nukes in their little country.....remember Hiroshima August 6, 1945? It really works

[feelfree1]

emhawks,

Nice list. A few more to add:

Richard Perle, Douglas Feith, and of course, Paul Wolfowitz. Tony Bair is almost too obvious to mention.

It is quite a challenge to even select from the worst offenders, in creating a list of current Western war criminals.

[feelfree1]

ceekuei,

You have touched on a very sensitive and fundamental issue. Well done.

It is undoubtedly not in the interests of the American public, nor of the people around the globe for that matter, for the U.S. to keep wasting billions and blions of U.S. tax dollars, blood, and treasure, in blind welfare support of the repulsive, anti-human, and calamitous policies of Israeli leaders.

Their influence in U.S. politics is grossly disproportionate.

[feelfree1]

ncolsens,

You appear to be advocating for the mass-murder of a huge number of innocent people; people which we claim to be "liberating", and claim to care about.

Will you take personal responsibility for such an act, or will you hide behind our flag to promote your terrorist proposal of wide-spread indiscriminate mass-murder, from the shadows?

[ourtomorrows]

You conspiracy folk continue to amaze me with your lunacy.

I am equally fascinated by the simpletons (yes simpletons) who continue to insist this is all about oil. If it was only about oil, we would be in a far less dangerous situation. This is about a President who believes he is on a mission to liberate the Middle East and will stop at nothing to see that mission achieved. I fail to understand why people don't get that! We are in a far more dangerous world than one where the US and GB are doing what they have done for a century and trying to get oil. That is part of it but that is not what President Bush is after. Wake up people!

Those of you who continue to underestimate the President and continue to talk about Cheney as the power behind the throne, you are wrong and your view is incredibly dangerous. It is the President who is at the helm folks, he really is and he is on a mission, maybe even as he sees it, a mission from God to bring democracy to the Middle East and he will not give up or give in until he accomplishes that mission. Why don't you people get that? He is as determined to achieve his goals as Reagan was to destroy the USSR.

You can all continue living in your fantasy world of 9/11 conspiracies and power plays for oil and the Vice President pulling the strings, keep living in your fabricated reality because clearly what is really happening is to much for you all to accept.

[observantx]

Will somebody PLEASE take both of Kissinger%u2019s shoes off, pull off his socks and stuff them in his mouth. Please wrap a little duct tape around his head and mouth while you are at it to make sure the socks stay put.

This retread creep has been feeding %u201Cwe can win%u201D drugs to Fearless Leader for months. Now since he has recently found the spotlight again, he is warming to his old persona of worldly policy maker. Now that Iraq has turned completely sour, he is trying to hitch a ride on the reality express. He needs a bucket of cold water thrown on him and the bum%u2019s rush out of the spotlight.

Henry, go home. Make some warm milk. Get good nights sleep. Please leave us alone.

[observantx]

Will somebody PLEASE take both of Kissinger%u2019s shoes off, pull off his socks and stuff them in his mouth. Please wrap a little duct tape around his head and mouth while you are at it to make sure the socks stay put.

This retread creep has been feeding %u201Cwe can win%u201D drugs to Fearless Leader for months. Now since he has recently found the spotlight again, he is warming to his old persona of worldly policy maker. Now that Iraq has turned completely sour, he is trying to hitch a ride on the reality express. He needs a bucket of cold water thrown on him and the bum%u2019s rush out of the spotlight.

Henry, go home. Make some warm milk. Get good nights sleep. Please leave us alone.

[j-whitman]

Outmorrows,,, Reagan didn't defeat Russia nor Communism,, The Berlin Wall wouldn't have lasted another year anyway... And if you go back & look at Bush's work record,, you'll see it was 1 failure after another untill he got his PR team together as governor,,,, Cheney is the half-wit behind the selictive (cherry picking) of our intelligence & much the blame for this current failure in Iraq... Both together are responsible for the collapse of the entire Middle-East regional conflict we are now engaged in & losing swiftly.

[bushrocks1]

Would I send my son to this war? You might ask would I send him to WW II? Or Vietnam? Maybe you would distinguish those conflicts and whether you would send your son to fight in them. But that question is misdirected in a very important way: I can't command my son to go to war. He has to make that choice. So the better question would be: would I volunteer to fight in Iraq, WW II, Vietnam? Would I volunteer to fight in any war? Respond if drafted? I don%u2019t know. I'm not equivocating, only addressing that it is a hypothetical. As a hypothetical, I can say, sure I'd fight. But I have nightmares of battle (from my past life as a Jacobite). So how do I feel toward those who do volunteer? Impressed but maturely knowing that many things go into their decision. But I do strongly believe that a country who can't find those men is doomed. The fact that we can find them is one reason why I say there is no failure in Iraq. Objectively, I also believe it for other reasons. An attempt to establish democracy in the Middle East is a bold, brilliant, noble effort, facing a high chance of failure. That's why I greatly respect and admire those who have made the attempt--the Bush administration. They have been resolute, something I have not seen in my lifetime. They may not succeed, for reasons outside their control or fault: traitors on the home front, being a big one. But now those traitors have apparently occupied the high ground. Yet... we're still in Iraq. Why?... I'm waiting.

[stranger45-2009]

Would I send my son to this war? You might ask would I send him to WW II? Or Vietnam? Hell no that's for poor kids to do. I do love the blood and destruction though. As long as it's someone elses son or daughter. So how do I feel toward those who do volunteer? Impressed, they either have much bigger balls than me or they are desperately poor and trying to make a better life for themselves. Either way, who cares? An attempt to establish democracy in the Middle East has proven to be very profitable for a handfull of connected individuals and companies. That's why I greatly respect and admire those who have made the attempt--the Bush administration. They have been resolute, something I have not seen in my lifetime. They may not succeed, mostly for the reasons that they are criminaly incompetent and arrogant. But also we have traitors on the home front calling for some kind of acountability from the administration. The nerve of these peasants speaking truth to power. They should just shut their mouths and send there money and kids to Iraq. Those traitors have apparently occupied the high ground for now. But not for long..we'll find a way to blame the failures in Iraq on them.

Thanks to Frankly6

[alphaa10-2009]

laurieleemooo said, "THIS *** HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH HATRED AND NOTHING ELSE. THIS IS ABOUT PURE HATRED ON THE PART OF THE MUSLIM RADICALS.

THAT IS IT PERIOD----THATS WHAT THIS IS
ALL ABOUT.

You my little friend have been BRAINWASHED by your little muslim terrorists friends if you believe this is about anything other than HATE!!!!
---

Ms. Leemooo, you have demonstrated you understand hatred. Now, please remember to turn off your caps lock key, else it makes you seem like some SHOUTING IDIOT. I know you are not filled with hatred because I have seen your other posts, which demonstrate capacity for at least one other preoccupation-- cheering for a Bush "victory" in Iraq. But that show is over, according to Herr Doktor Kissinger. (Where was this character when we needed him?) Now, Ms. Leemooo, start cheering for a united country in time of national misdirection and dire peril.

[alphaa10-2009]

ourtomorrow exclaimed, "You can all continue living in your fantasy world of 9/11 conspiracies and power plays for oil and the Vice President pulling the strings, keep living in your fabricated reality because clearly what is really happening is to much for you all to accept."
---

Speaking of State of Denial, what steely resolve to deny the undeniable!

And I recognize you-- weren't you "Baghdad Bob" who worked for Saddam, as his press flak? As I remember the story, you were captured, right? And somehow flown out directly to Andrews, where Bush met you personally and gushed (with admiration) "Anyone who can lie THAT, you know, that Americans will never, ever enter Baghdad, deserves a spot on my team." And weren't you runner-up to Tony Snow?

Now, if Bush is on a "Mission from God", that clearly proves divine endorsement of Bush and all that implies, right? So, disagreement becomes a sin? But, a nagging concern-- who told you about that divine mission? Bush? Which brings up the nasty issue of infallibility, which I am sure you haven't the time for address-- in this life.

[alphaa10-2009]

1. Kissinger, where have you been? Why has it taken 3,000 American lives and some 20,000 seriously wounded to bring your august attention to bear on a national crisis?

2. Has the Bush military disaster been a mystery to you so long? Did it first dawn on you something might be wrong when Halliburton packed up and left after squandering $2.1 billion in taxpayer dollars?

3. Or was it when you sensed a lack of civil order-- and US presence-- on the streets of Baghdad when 150 government officials were rounded up in broad daylight by gunmen wearing police uniforms?

4. Or, were you waiting until you were invited by fellow Republicans to comment?

5. Or, did you sense your silence made your consultancy so incredible, it might actually hurt business?

Thanks for helping out, Henry. But I noticed one thing-- you never once used the phrase, "Peace with Honor", as you did with Vietnam. Is there no honor left to salvage from this debacle?

[olebd]

I want to know this guy's secret to longevity. He hasn't changed in 40 years....what is he, like 150 now?

What took him so long to weigh in on this war? It may be old age slowing him down.

[lrnnyaeger]

Mr. Kissenger is probably the only person who sees and understands the whole scenario. Give him the diplomatic authority to deal within IRaq and with its' neighbors to come to an agreement which would justify the withdrawal of our troops from the entire region.