By far the biggest failure of the Bush (43, W. that is, not 41, H. W.) administration is the complete failure to give credit where credit is due, and to do so promptly and publicly.
Two years ago, as it began to become apparent that Sadaam Hussein had been bluffing, the President should have begun to admit tentatively what now seems to have been the case. What would have been the harm in saying something like the following?
Now it is possible that Sadaam Hussein has successfully pulled off one of the biggest bluffs in the history of warfare, convincing the intelligence services of the world and his own top generals and officials that he had horrific Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) hidden away but ready to go. And even more horrific WMD development programs ready to bear their terrifying fruit in the imminent future. When, in fact, this was all a con.And it is not too late to make amends by sending this message.Now, if this is true, and today we cannot say that it is even likely, I would like to send my personal congratulations.
As you know, I have not been enthusiastic about his record as the leader of Iraq, but it may be that he would have made a world class poker player.
It is even easier today, now that Mr. Bush knows Sadaam’s address.
And according to a Guardian (U. K.) article, US intelligence on Iraq chaotic and incompetent, says Bush commission :
A presidential commission investigating the intelligence debacle that preceded the Iraq invasion reported yesterday that the damage done to US credibility would "take years to undo".The “damage done to US credibility” will be repaired more quickly if due recognition is given to the Greatness of Sadaam Hussein.American intelligence was described by the report as being in chaos, often paralysed by the rivalry of 15 different spy agencies and affected by unchallenged assumptions about Baghdad's supposed weapons of mass destruction.
The incompetence described in the report occasionally descends into farce, [ … ]
