Debasing The Medal Of Freedom

MSNBC/"Hardblogger"/David Shuster

I don't have a problem with Paul Bremer (former US administrator in Iraq), George Tenet (former CIA director), or General Tommy Franks (led the invasion of Iraq.) And I'm convinced that all three did their jobs as best they could under exceptionally trying circumstances.

However, I couldn't help but get sick to my stomach today as I watched President Bush award Bremer, Tenet, and Franks the Presidential medal of freedom. Maybe it was because I spent most of yesterday at Walter Reed Army hospital, interviewing United States soldiers who are learning how to use prosthetic legs and arms because their own got blown off in Iraq. Or maybe i just couldn't get over the apparent contradictions between the record of today's medal of freedom recipients and the qualifications listed on the web site. According to the medal of freedom web site, "this great honor is reserved for individuals the President deems to have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." The award is "given only after careful thought, alwyas sparingly so as not to debase its currency."

"Debase its currency." Hmmm. The 9-11 commission blames the CIA and Tenet for some of the crucial intelligence failures that prevented us from stopping the terrorist attacks. On Iraq, before the invasion, it was Tenet who described the existence of WMD as a "slam dunk." Paul Bremer guided the postwar Iraq effort into chaos and insurgency. And General Tommy Franks, while leading U.S. troops brilliantly to baghdad, had no plan once US troops got there to secure any part of the nation and prevent looting or sabotage.

More at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6679533/#041214b

...isn't that what third world despots usually do?

Bush could very well feel that the proto-military blouse he wore the other day would be much more impressive if it had some medals on it.