From Counterpunch:
First, let's eavesdrop on a commander-in-chief, brooding on the great themes of war and death: "'We're not inflicting pain on these fuckers' [The President] said softly at first. 'When people kill us, they should be killed in greater numbers.' Then, with his face reddening, his voice rising and his fist pounding his thigh 'I believe in killing people who try to hurt you, and I can't believe we're being pushed around by these two-bit pricks.'" First, let's eavesdrop on a commander-in-chief, brooding on the great themes of war and death: "'We're not inflicting pain on these fuckers' [The President] said softly at first. 'When people kill us, they should be killed in greater numbers.' Then,
with his face reddening, his voice rising and his fist pounding his thigh 'I believe in killing people who try to hurt you, and I can't believe we're being pushed around by these two-bit pricks.'"
LBJ at the time of the Tonkin Gulf resolution? Nixon during the Christmas bombing of Haiphong? No. This was Bill Clinton, as recalled by George Stephanopoulos in his recent memoir, privately ranting at the time US "humanitarian" intervention in Somalia was falling apart, back in 1993. In other words, the first post cold war president's instinctive reaction to challenge from a foreign adversary, however
diminutive, is exactly the same as those of commanders-in-chief in the years of the cold war, who walked noisily and flourished big sticks."
Naturally the president requires a "Supreme Commander". He seems to have found one in General Wesley Clark:
Bedtime for General Clark?
Members of Congress who, during their spring recess,
met in Brussels with Gen. Wesley Clark, the NATO
supreme commander, were startled by his bellicosity.
According to the lawmakers, Clark suggested the best
way to handle Russia's supply of oil to Yugoslavia
would be aerial bombardment of the pipeline that runs
through Hungary. He also proposed bombing Russian
warships that enter the battle zone. The American
general was described by the members of the
congressional delegation as waging a personal vendetta
against Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. "I think
the general might need a little sleep," commented one
House member.
Robert Novak, 4/17/99
Leap
None.
