Melvin Goodman, on DRhem show -- Iraq is MUCH worse than can imagine

[bobbieinok]

This was a sobering broadcast; all the guests agreed Iraq is a major problem. They differed on their view of Gates; Goodman had an EXTREMELY negative view of his personality, character, and past performance.

Goodman (I believe) said the situation in Iraq is MUCH WORSE for US than Vietnam ever was. It was stated that it will be very difficult logistically to leave Iraq; when US finally left Vietnam, there were not many US military there. They were talking about having to find a secure path out of Iraq to withdraw the soldiers and the incredible amount of equipment, much of which is very advanced. ALSO, guests said that Iraq is much more important to US interests than Vietnam ever was (primarily oil in Iraq and the ME).

This was broadcast Monday Nov 13.

10:00Defense Secretary Nominee Robert Gates
Diane and her guests talk about Defense Secretary nominee and former CIA chief Robert Gates: what he would bring to the job and what his nomination signals for the future of the U.S. in Iraq.

Guests
Amb. Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations and former director of policy planning for the Department of State. Author of "The Opportunity: America's Moment To Alter History's Course."

Melvin Goodman, senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, author of the forthcoming book "The Decline and Fall of the CIA." He served at the CIA from 1966 to 1990.

Jeff Stein, national security editor and SpyTalk columnist for Congressional Quarterly. Former Army Intelligence case officer in Vietnam.

[DrDebug]

1. The good news is that Bechtel left already

They didn't feel like staying in Iraq anymore despite all those no bid contracts and left on November 1, 2006 ( http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/11/01/MNGMIM3RAG1.DTL )

[ClintonTyree]

2. The obvious solution in Iraq.......

we never leave. That's what the neo-cons "plan" is, if indeed there even is a plan. Until the oil runs out anyway. A perpetual presence in the middle east.....the defense industry's wet dream brought to you by George W. Bush and his dancing neo-con asshats.

[lcordero2]

3. this needs to be planned carefully so that we don't

have the "Highway of Death" happening to us

[HereSince1628]

4. Much of the equipment won't come with us. We'll probably use it

much of it to "stand up" the Iraqi forces.

[xchrom]

5. i think since the military will be moving such high priced

equipment -- you'll find that the service people will have all that they need to get out safely.