Scary Wolfowitz Quote

[kanrok]

I'm currently reading a book entitled "Absolutely American - Four Years at West Point" by David Lipsky. The book is excellent and I highly recommend it, BTW. The author is a contributing editor for Rolling Stone. He was given almost unfettered access to West Point for 4 years. He recounts Paul Wolfowitz giving a commencement speech. In the speech Wolfowitz says the following: "This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of a military disaster whose name has been synonymous with surprise - Pearl Harbor...that "surprise attack" was preceeded by an astonishing number of unheeded warnings and mixed signals. Intellegence reports warned of a "surprise move in any direction"...Military history is full of surprises, even if few are as dramatic or as memorable as Pearl Harbor. Surprise happens so often, it's surprising we're still surprised by it. Almost always there have been warnings and signals that have been missed - sometimes because there were just too many warnings to pick the right one out....A century ago...the Secretary of War told Douglas MacArthur's class, 'Before you leave the Army...you will be engaged in another war. It is bound to come, and will come. Prepare your country." (Here's the scary part) Wolfowitz grips the podium with both hands, takes in the field of young officers. "Be prepared to be surprised." (See pp.241-42). The date of the speech? June 2, 2001.

[eileen_d]

1. Ick... that sends shivers up my spine

As do all things Wolfowitz. Thanks for reminding me about that book, I read a good article about it on powells.com and might add it to my Xmas list!

[jonoboy]

3. I find this guy one of the scariest

[RobertSeattle]

2. Here's the video!

http://www.virtualwp.org/wpwebcasts/grad_2001_wolfowitz.htm

[beanball]

4. The honorable

why hon before woffie's name it should be dishonorable?that clown is a monster.

[Cocoa]

5. I have heard republicans call Sept. 11 a good thing

the same "wakeup call" idea. more than one republican in Congress. I couldn't believe my ears. Do these people know what they're saying?

[maggrwaggr]

6. wow, between that and Rumsfeld's comments ....

the whole 9/11 thing just stinks worse and worse ...