Gen. Abizaid On Stabilizing Iraq

U.S. Commander Talks To Lara Logan About Iraq, Iran And Stability In The Middle East

(CBS)  When it comes to the war in Iraq, no other military man has a job more important than Gen. John Abizaid, the four-star commander of all U.S. forces in the Middle East. He was the first person Congress turned to earlier this month for answers, after American voters demanded a change in course, frustrated by a war that seems to be going nowhere and grows more violent every day.

The general doesn’t grant many interviews, but he agreed to talk to correspondent Lara Logan last week for the first time since that appearance on Capitol Hill. While Logan and Gen. Abizaid came to talk about Iraq, the 60 Minutes was struck by how much the general had to say about Iran.

---

Logan met Gen. Abizaid at his headquarters in Tampa, Fla., as he was preparing to leave on one of his frequent trips to the Middle East.

"Three years into this war, close to 3,000 American soldiers killed and more than 20,000 wounded. A lot of Americans are wondering how it is that we got to this point. I mean, they still remember the president saying, 'Mission Accomplished,’" Logan remarks.

"Nobody's more mindful of the sacrifices of our troops than those of us that command them," Abizaid says. "And I know that the losses have affected many, many lives. But the enemy that we fight is a tough enemy. The enemy can’t be walked away from easily. We have to stabilize Iraq and the broader regional dynamic in order to make the region less conducive to extremism because if we don't, the extremist values will become mainstream and we will have a much worse security situation develop in the future."

According to a U.S. intelligence report on Iraq declassified in September, that’s already beginning to happen. It found the war in Iraq is "shaping a new generation of terrorist leaders" and becoming a "cause celebre … for jihadists."

"Exactly on that point, a national intelligence estimate said it appeared that extremism was emboldened and strengthened by this war. So, how do you think we're doing on stopping those ideas taking root in the region?" Logan asks the general.

"I would tell you that there are parts of the extremist agenda, especially the al Qaeda extremist agenda that remains very dangerous, very deadly. I'd also tell you that there hasn't been an attack on U.S. soil since 9/11. That has a lot to do with our willingness to be forward and fighting there," Abizaid says.

But fighting the war on terror there has made life for many Iraqis unbearable. It's something Abizaid understands: He speaks their language. His fluency in Arabic makes him a military rarity. He's the grandson of Lebanese immigrants and a highly decorated combat veteran who understands the dynamics of this volatile part of the world and the consequences of failure in Iraq.

Asked what his greatest fear for Iraq is, Abizaid says, "My greatest fear is that neighboring countries like Iran and Syria decide that they will destabilize the country more, as opposed to help it come together."

Asked what that would mean for the U.S. if that were to happen, the general says, "If Iraq destabilizes and moves to civil war, it will be a point where Shiite extremists and Sunni extremists will be emboldened and will achieve safe haven, and it will create a problem not only for us but for everybody in the region. That will only lead to more conflict, not less."

But the conflict has already reached a level of violence that many Americans find unacceptable. October was the deadliest month since the war began for Iraqis, and in almost two years for U.S. troops. Snipers are now a constant threat, and roadside bombs continue to claim American lives.

They’re dying, the general says, at the hands of both Sunni extremists and Shiite militants, which he told Logan are backed by the Iranian government's special forces, the Revolutionary Guards Qods Force, who are pouring weapons and money into Iraq.

"At the same time that the government of Iran is talking about stabilizing Iraq, these Revolutionary Guard Qods Force people are supporting the Shia death squads of some of the various splinter…," Abizaid explains.

"So, aren't we already at a war with Iran through its proxies in Iraq?" Logan asks.

"No. We're not at war with Iran through its proxies. We are in a period of making it clear to the Iranians that they need to move to help stabilize Iraq and not destabilize it," Abizaid says.

[zod_mehr]

Lara Logan's line of questioning, in particular her manipulative queries on Iran, were outrageous, unethical and unprofessional. How dare she REPEATEDLY question and re-interpret General Abizaid's comments? what type of script & hidden agenda was she working off when she kept holding the government of Iran responsible for "American deaths"? This despite the General's repeated denial to this matter.

She should be fired. She is not of the same caliber as the other men and women who have reported for 60 minutes. I am - however - sure that she can find immediate employment with Mr. Murdoch.

[renman5-2009]

I was very upset with her line of quesioning....one soft ball after another......why didn't she have the courage to ask the General.....the 3 reasons we went into Iraq....and the ubsequent change of reasons.....Also...why didn't she question the General on the lack of resources our troops face every day....and....why some units are going back for their 3 one year tour....while others...have never been called up!!!!

WE OWE THIS TO THE TROOPS!!!!

[dtroness]

Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Abizaid - they have not been right on anything. The general's comments and opinions are of no consequence - they are not relevant. Historians will have a field day writing about all the ways in which our leadership, at this time in history, brought about a more dangerous world, which will last for generations.
Even at this time, we can learn a valuable sociological lession as we consider the decision making processes that have taken place.
I this info from a google search:

Group Think

Janis, I. L. & Mann, L. (1977). Decision making: A psychological analysis of conflict, choice, and commitment. New York: Free Press.

Eight Main Symptoms of Group Think:

Illusion of Invulnerability
Collective Rationalization
Illusion of Morality
Excessive Stereotyping
Pressure for Conformity
Self-Censorship
Illusion of Unanimity
Mindguards
----------------------------------------
Does this sound familiar?

[feelfree1]

(2 of 2)

Having already been obviously defeated militarily in Iraq, having completely failed to meet his obligation to provide adequate security for the Iraqi population, Abizaid has chosen to deepen his disgrace by attempting to blame the Iraqis and their puppet leaders for the U.S. inflicted catastrophe in Iraq. With this act, he demonstrates that he has surrendered any remaining ruminants of integrity or competency.

I look forward to the day that those responsible for this very low point in U.S. history, are brought to justice.

The Nuremberg Tribunals resulted in the sentencing many of the top Nazi leaders to death, by hanging. The U.S. is Constitutionally bound to adhere to all U.S. ratified international treaties, such as the Nuremberg Charter and the U.N. Charter. The strategy and tactics of the Bush regime are remarkably similar to those of the WWII Nazis, and they must be held to the same standard.

The world will rejoice when the Bush Butchers and their collaborators are held to account for their anti-human behavior.

[feelfree1]

(1 of 2)

Gen. John Abizaid is little more than an apologist for the brutal and illegal war of aggression against Iraq. Abizaid is a central figure in the horrific debacle which has resulted there, and in the pointless continuance of the horrendous U.S. occupation.

Assuming that he is not completely incompetent, Abizaid knows full well that "foreign fighters" have never represented a significant portion of the Iraqi resistance movement.

The Iraqi resistance is composed of several groups of IRAQIs. Included among these groups are: include the entire Iraqi Army, disbanded by L. Paul "Dimwit" Bremmer, various religious leaders vying for power, and the friends and relatives of the more than 600,000 Iraqis that have faced violent deaths as a result of the illegal U.S. occupation of Iraq, and the millions of Iraqis that have been humiliated, wrongfully imprisoned, tortured, attacked, violated, and sexually abused by U.S. agents.

The Iraqis have every right to defend themselves against the illegal and morally impoverished invasion and occupation of their country.

[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. To a hypothetical, I can answer, 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 and maturely knowing that many things go into their decision. But I do strongly believe that a country that 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.

[lauraann7]

Very unprofessional reporter to interview an excellent American Soldier . . . why does 60 minutes need a British?? reporter to interview an American General?? Then try to change his words?? Not the way for 60 minutes to retain their iconic status as a top news program!

[feelfree1]

"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger."

-- Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials

[feelfree1]

"Military men are just dumb stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy.%u201D -- Henry Kissinger

[cv0021]

So I am wondering if Lara is on the administration payroll, she seems to be pushing an agenda rather than asking probing questions about what is the real situation there today and how do we deal with what we have today. What's the deal with going after Iran as a journalist?She belongs on FOX news rather than a real news program like CBS 60 minutes..

[peter556]

It's almost impossible to listen to this interview because of the person conducting the interview. Why such a lightweight for such an important topic?

[prober6]

'since the U.S. has been fighting in Iraq, it has become unbearable for the Iraqis' -

You imply the U.S. is the cause for the sectarian bloodshed. You imply the U.S. is causing the impossible circumstances for normal Iraqis to survive. You imply the U.S. is incompetent. How dare you ignore so much information and call it journalism? From Ms. Lara's first sentence, she took a great many liberties with the facts, just to make the very predictable, inflamatory, and leading statements I have grown so used to hearing from CBS. Ed wouldn't have. Morry wouldn't have. Mike and Dan?
Well... Shame on you all.

Why not have Andy Rooney go to Iraq to do interviews, if you want to joke about war?

[seanmccarry]

I am sick of seeing American media DEMONIZE Iran. This stupid woman, Lara Logan - British accented biased stupidity - is putting words in the mouth of General Abizaid. Why does 60-Minutes recruit someone who is so poorly informed and who is so biased or even receiving money under table from Israel? Iran is not to be blamed for everything that goes wrong in the world. I am sick of the mainstream media looking to blame a convenient scapegoat but never address the stupidity of the Neocons that got US into this horrible situation. Lara logan, it's obvious why you left England since they won't tollerate a liar and incompetent interviewer but US happily takes someone as useless and ignorant as you.

Sean

[kesac4650]

It would have been a nice touch, if Ms. Logan would have interviewed Gen. Abizaid and given us his opinions, rather than insisting on giving us her own infomercial. I'll bet the General will be more hesitant to grant any interviews in the future.
I am also appalled at the level of blatant dishonesty shown in some of the comments, from inventions attributed to Kissinger, to comparing our Government with Nazis.
There are important facts that the public needs to know, but instead, we get a steady dose of opinion.

[ceekuei]

Ask General Abizaid what he thinks, and he will tell you exactly what the Bush administration thinks, and that is more of the same. What do you expect? He is a product of the administration and under no circumstances will he say anything otherwise. He is the military face of Bush. The invasion of Iraq was for all the wrong reasons mismanaging it not withstanding. Bush broke it, he can't fix it because he does not know how to, period. Meanwhile nobody knows what to do and every Tom, ***, Harry, and Jane has their own theory and suggestions. None will work. Only the Iraqis can work out a solution among themselves. Certainly not Bush, the man who started it all.

[icarus_ancalion]

Logan was very disrespectful of General Abizaid. She asked leading questions about Iran (repeatedly), putting words into the general's mouth. Then she talked right over the top of the general so that we couldn't hear some of his answers!

On top of that, she was antagonistic, interrupting him. She became defensive when he corrected her with calm, balanced answers that were far more nuanced than what she attempted to put in his mouth.

Kudos to General Abizaid. I don't agree with everything he says, but handled an unprofessional and rude interviewer with aplomb.

Logan made 60 Minutes look bad, and by comparison made the general look very good (what we could hear above her interruptions).

When is Logan going to be fired?

I am not going to watch any interviews by her. She's dreadful. If this is the direction of 60 Minutes in the future, I will not be watching it any more.

[thechinaman1]

Sorry Lara,

The President never said "mission accomplished," nor did anyone else. What he did do was stand under a banner that said "mission accomplished," and utter the words "major combat operations in Iraq have ended."

If you're going to chat with a general in the joint chiefs of staff, you better get your stuff together.

[cbgb31]

"Is that victory now? Is that what victory will look like in Iraq, just stability, that's what we're aiming for?" Logan asks.

This is the only question I don't understand. Stability sounds pretty good to me. Other than that I thought Lara Logan conducted a good interview and certainly has the qualifications to interview Abizaid. She's been reporting on location in Iraq for years.

[seanmccarry]

The problem is not all Lara. The CBS 60-minutes has gone down in quality again and again. This program needs new direction under new blood. Lara was exceptionally poor in her role, one cannot even find the slightest amount of sympathy for how terrible she was and how aggressive. And her agenda was to blame Iran as forcefully as possible. If it was possible, she wanted to be more Neocon than Neocons themselves.
Time to fire this stupid woman and let her go to Fox news with Bill Oreilly who claims that Iran wants to kill all jews .... despite the fact that Iran has 40,000 jews living there and that Iran's history is filled with events (even documented in the Bible) where this was the only country fighting to protect the rights and lives of jews in middle east.

[feelfree1]

prober6,

Re: "You imply the U.S. is the cause for the sectarian bloodshed. You imply the U.S. is causing the impossible circumstances for normal Iraqis to survive. You imply the U.S. is incompetent."

This is no mere implication. This is the undeniable reality of the situation. It seems that only a dwindling handful of Bush League believers are unaware of this unmistakable truism.

[Radar.1]

What is great is that now we will have the chance to observe whether there is a threat from the Muslim world or not. We will return to a pre 9/11 country waiting for the next attack and hoping it will not come. A different and possibly/probably better administration and Congress will have the opportunity to show how we should deal with terrorists. I wish them luck and skill for the sake of my children and grandchildren. (Incidentally I was opposed to going into Iraq.) I do think we should pull all our troops out immediately. Why should we have our troops continue to be killed an injure for up to 180 days?

[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. To a hypothetical, I can answer, 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 and maturely knowing that many things go into their decision. But I do strongly believe that a country that 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.

[stevenga777]

My first question is "Why is the commander of all U.S. forces in the Middle East (Gen. Abizaid) headquartered in Tampa, Fla.?" Leading a war in the Middle East, shouldn't he be headquartered in the Middle East. I guess his family doesn't suffer separation of family and friends. Generals Eisenhour, Patton, Marshall, MaCarthur didn't lead wars from the USA. They led our troops from the war zones. Patton, Marshall, MaCarthur personally engaged in combat.

[wildernessgu]

"So, aren't we already at a war with Iran through its proxies in Iraq?" Logan asks.

Abizaid says no. Then...

"...more American soldiers are being killed in Baghdad by Shiite militias backed by Iran than by Sunni insurgents today," Logan says.

Abizaid says no. Then...

"But would you concede that Iranians are helping to kill American soldiers in Iraq?" Logan asks.

Abizaid says no. Then Logan summarizes his statements as...

"Which at the end of the day means their [Iranian] money, their weapons are support %u2013 is helping to kill American soldiers in Iraq," Logan notes.

That's not what he said, no Ms. Logan.

She was antagonistic and pushed an anti-Iran agenda.

[juststardust]

Geez,
That was so bad. Almost as bad as Lislie Stalh's last gaff. Come on, I'm a 59 yr
old VietNam Vet, grow up get some progressives
on and talk about issues! I've been watching
your show along time. Get some bright people
not afraid of the conservitive media and do
some new stories about change. Get rid of
the conservitve attitude.

[feelfree1]

eparkerjr,

I have a few ideas for reducing terrorism:

1) stop participating in it (see U.S. foreign policy)

2) stop providing legitimate grievances to extremists (ditto)

3) stop wasting billions upon billions of U.S. tax dollar welfare payments which support the State-terrorism campaigns of morally bankrupted countries like Israel. (see item #2)

4) demonstrate some respect for the rule of law and common decency

[stevenga777]

PS: I'm glad President Bush's daughters get to enjoy the night life and soccer in Argentina while our son's and daughters get to fight, suffer, get maimed, and die in Iraq because Saddam tried to kill President Bush's daddy. As Barbara Bush said "You don't mess with the Bushs."

[feelfree1]

Re:

"We are in a period of making it clear to the Iranians that they need to move to help stabilize Iraq and not destabilize it," Abizaid says.
------------------------------------------------
I hope that he is making this point clear- on his knees, as he has zero standing to tell the Iranians, or anyone else, what to do.

He should consider apologizing for disgracing our military and our country, and start begging for someone to bail him out.

[feelfree1]

wildernessgu,

Great point.

We see this kind of "creative journalism" way too often in the Corporate press.

[seanmccarry]

Iran has said, again and again, that they would very much want to have a mutually respectful relationship with US. In 2001, after 9-11, they helped US in Afganistan to the degree that everyone on the US negotiating side was completely surprised and indeed welcomed. Soon after their help, they was labelled - Axis of Evil. Then in 2003 they offered a complete package of things to discuss about all grievances, including political and economic, past, present, and future. The state department, and indeed Secretary of State Powell, were very interested and happy to get down and start discussions. Until, *** Cheney and CABAL said ABSOLUTELY NO WAY ... to the State Department and threatened Switzerland for mediating the offer.

Why do we allow our politicans to always keep another supposed 'ENEMY' in the background ready for American media to demonize and therefore the military industry can profit billions from building new arms and weapons - when these supposed enemies actually want to resolve things with us?

As the parasite Michael Ladeen said in 1999 regarding Iran, and I quote, "... we have to antagonize Iran using any means such as human rights, nuclear, supportin terrorism, etc. until the antagonizing makes them angry - then we can go to the American public and tell them that Iran is a threat to us and demonize them."

[xhandlebar]

I look forward to watching your usually thought provoking show. Tonight's articles on PTSS and propranolol and on the child composer were exelent.
However, the interview with General Abizaid was so poorly done it seemed like it belong in a tabloid newspaper not on a primetime major network news show.
Lara Logan kept put words in the generals mouth and when he would politely correct her she would simply re-paraphrase the misquote and try again.
When background portion was done the samething tended to happen. The generals statement that if certain thing happened it may degenerate into a civil war was turned into a reputiation of the WhiteHouses statement it was not a civil war.
I am not a linguist, but such a disregard for word like "if" and "may" seems unprofessional atleast and intentionally misleading at worst.
Please try to find an interviewer who alteast pretends to be objective.

[wyneaux-2009]

It's an impossible situation. One that the first President George Bush predicted would occur if we unseated Saddam. Now it is our war and the Arab jihadists have made it their cause celeb. I'm just glad that I'm not the General in charge. Talk about a lose-lose situation! Let's remember that the reasons for Arab distrust and hatred of the West are anchored in the European colonialism of their land, something which we ourselves rebelled against. So why have we supported the vestiges of these political precepts in our foreign policy for the last 50 plus years? Perhaps we should look at those who are principally responsible for electing our politicians. Is the average American voter to blame or is it the average big corporation with vested foreign interests? Perhaps it is both!

Randy Roberts
The Wyneaux of Sonoma, CA

[feelfree1]

kesac4650,

Re: "I am also appalled at the level of blatant dishonesty shown in some of the comments, from inventions attributed to Kissinger, to comparing our Government with Nazis."

As appalling as it may be, the similarities is rather striking.

I would like to recommend a film about the U.S. equivalent to the German Reichstag fire, which gave rise to the Nazi movement.

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=3195658770053494633

God help America.

[mrwhitey3]

Now that the government took whatreallyhappened.com off the web I am forced to read this company line dribble.

[logicdoug]

60 Minutes personnel...

Consider learning how to use words that hold their meanings regardless of who states or writes the words.

Did the US military not destabalize Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Somalia, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries?

To learn and propagate useful information, consider interviewing people easily more intelligent than military and DemocanRepublicrat Regime leaders dependent upon fooling gullible people into perceiving that truth is defined within their raw power alone.

Your effort would be noticeable, if your reporters learn how to use words that hold their meanings.

The process to win the wars in Iraq and Afghansistan is laughably easy, but not within the understanding of those who start wars for "stability" or peace.

May you learn the most knowledge of the most concepts, most efficiently.

DougBuchanan.com

[bushrocks1]

War has also been able to bring about very much. But it is disagreeable to enumerate sad things, no less than changes of government: how many times did it change ever since Ninus, son of Belus, if Ninus really was the first to govern, as my pagan predecessors claim. This is as far as the pen usually goes back among you: it is with the Assyrians, it seems, that world history opens up. We however, who always are reading divine histories, master the subject from the very birth of the world. But now I prefer enjoyable things, for these also undergo change. In a word, if anything was washed away by the sea, burnt down by heaven, swallowed by the earth, or chopped off by the sword, elsewhere a new loan returns that compensates for the loss.

[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. To a hypothetical, I can answer, 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 and maturely knowing that many things go into their decision. But I do strongly believe that a country that 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.

[gdmoore2]

It is not the job of the U.S. to "stabilize Iraq and the broader regional dynamic" with the lives of our sons and daughters. Gen. Abizaid is playing to our fears, to Americans' reluctance to leave a problem unsolved, and our abhorrence of "losing." Nowhere in this interview does Gen. Abizaid articulate a strategy for stabilizing the situation, other than to stand there, bleed, and hope for the best. In other words, the Iraqis are dictating the terms of the fight, not us. Gen. Abizaid is letting his pride overrun his good sense. Pulling back from a bad position is not "losing", it is smart.

What makes extremists aggressive is knowing they can so easily draw the U.S. into wars of attrition, where their strengths are leveraged, not ours.

[prophets_]

Lara Logan = melodramatic questioning. come on little girl, be a newsperson or go start reporting on Suri Cruise, K-Fed, or some other nonsense.

[patriotic9]

People are not criticizing Lora because of any of her mistakes but because of her NON AMERICAN ENGLISH ACCENT.It's a clear RACISM.

[logicdoug]

Patriotic9, below, errs. I suggest that Lora's valuable accent is delightful and enhances her employer's international credibility, after she learns how to ask effective interview questions. We all learn different things at different rates. Lora is on schedule, if she is effectively questioning her each experience, a concept unknown among American news journalists who were not taught how to question their own perceptions. But if she were to learn such valuable knowledge, no government person would allow her to interview them, because of what her questions would reveal. Militaristic power-based governments, such as that of the US, as opposed to reasoning-based institutions, exist on maintaining the ignorance of the unquestioning citizenry, most often through intellectually lazy news journalists who remain clueless of effective questioning process.

May you learn the most knowledge of the most concepts, most efficiently.

DougBuchanan.com

[patriotic9]

Whatever General says,we cannot win war in IRAQ as long as we don't win the hearts and minds of IRAQI PEOPLE.We'll never ever be able to win the hearts and minds of IRAQI people as long as UNITED STATES supports the ILLEGAL and UNJUSTIFIED OCCUPATION of PALESTINIAN LAND by those EUROPEANS who were brought into PALESTINE after WWII to occupy the land of PALESTINIAN PEOPLE by force,eventhough those PALESTINIANS didn't help HITLER in anyway to commit the CRIMES and ATROCITIES against them.We are not morally supposed to impose the RACIST and UNJUST CHRISTIAN IDEOLOGY of human beings being GOD-CHOSEN or GOD-NEGLECTED because of being born in a race CHOSEN or NEGLECTED by a RACIST GOD and that's why being either promised a LAND in the MIDDLE EAST or not being promised a SINGLE PENNY from him,on people of other faith.
After the FAILURE of RADICAL CHRISTIANIY in this IRAQI WAR which didn't help the 2nd COMING OF CHRIST,We should start implementing our CONSTITUTION which separates CHURCH from STATE at the govt level and should denounce the ILLEGETIMATE and UNJUSTIFIED EXISTANCE of ISRAEL on the WORLD MAP and should announce that from today onward,HUMAN BEINGS will be treated on the basis of their ACTIONS,they won't be treated as GOD-CHOSEN or GOD-NEGLECTED because of the RACE or FAMILY they are born in.

[patriotic9]

logicdoug
Thanks so much.I really apreciate it.You made everything so clear in your comments.I totally agree with you.

[mjnoble]

Lara Logan did not distinguish herself as a good journalist with this story. Her bias was fully apparent from early in the interview of Gen. Abazaid. She may be bright and quick thinking, but a good reporter must 1st be objective in the interview. Gen. Abazaid was very patient and kind to her.

[Phenry3]

I am a regular viewer of 60 Minutes and look forward to your weekly program. Last night I was very disappointed with the interviewer of Gen. Abizaid. She was not up to standard and came across as very weak. I hope that future programs will not include this person.
Sincerely
Henry Alkin

[grumpas]

I was more disappointed in Genral Abizaid's comments! I got the distinct impression he was parroting Bush (probably to keep his job)! So, I didn't really hear anything that made me think he knew what he was talking about! Because to a point I will have to agree with patriotic9! We are never going to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people! Not only due to Palistine and supporting Israel blindly, but due to Bush being a fanatical Christian! I am certain this is playing a very big part in the insurgancy! They see us as trying to Christianize them! For a lot of them it's the Crusades all over again! Bush allowed Christian missionary's in the country when he should have kept them out! These people are Muslim and will have nothing of anything but their religion! Rightly so! How would most Christian's like it if they invaded our country and tried to convert us! Not very well I fear! Most of us would fight to the death! They might be fanatical Muslims but we are lead by a fanatical Christian too! So it's a no win situation!

[bluestardad]

This General Abizaid is a Bush and Rummy Bobblehead! he has American Blood on his hands and should be held acountable for his ineptness!

[boogied]

This guy knows what he is talking about. No politics here, pure truth from the front line.

[rafterman1]

...and yet bushrock1 continues to question the loyalty of other Americans simply because they disagree with his point of view. Why?... I'm waiting.

Oh, by the way bushisrock-headed or whatever you call yourself, I'm glad you're happy that old Bushie is "resolute" in his stubborness in dealing with the reality of the disaster in Iraq. Because while he's "resolute", young men and women continue to die for nothing. Maybe you SHOULD send your son over there. When he dies after his third or fourth tour, you can see if you still admire Bushie's "resoluteness". And if you do, then, well, you're an idiot too, along with your commander-in-chief. Now there's something to be proud of. Continued resolution while conmstantly failing, in direct denial of the facts, isn't something to be proud of, it's idiotic and dangerous.

[patriotic9]

mjnoble
"Her bias was fully apparent from early in the interview of Gen. Abazaid"
She is not biased.She has spent more time in IRAQ then anybody posting messages on CBS.com
She has risked her own life doing her job.She knows the REALITY ON THE GROUND and that's why she asked those questions to Gen. Abizaid.Gen Abizaid had to be polite because he knows how much she knows about the war.I don't know why people want to be in the STATE OF DENIAL.