In leadership training, there is the adage that a good MANAGER does "things" well.
The good LEADER does the right "things."

Our Military is the equivalent of our MANAGERS:* They are doing well the things they are told to do. :bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup:

Our Politicians are our LEADERS:* Are they doing the right "things?"

I viewed the movie "Charlie Wilson's War" the other day.* Charlie was portrayed as an effective renegade politician who thought he did the "right thing" in facilitating the defeat of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.* He can also be viewed as the man who undermined US foreign policy and created fertile ground for Islamic extremists to occupy and train where we now have to fight and control instead of the Soviets.* Did he really do the "right thing?"*

Was it the "right thing" to create the vacuum in Iraq by eliminating Saddam - a question being asked by many.* All the while our military is doing a great job of doing well the "things" they are told to do.* That is likely the Sgt. Major's major gripe - the decisions of our leaders, some of which in hindsight appear questionable, whether directed by Democrats or Republicans.

An individual can't drink very much and be as lucid as the Sgt. Major was. His points are well-taken, and I'm confident mostly true, if not as even-handed as some would like.