The reason for the problem is that we're so good: Recently we have heard the following
explanation for Bush's remark that the problems in post-war Iraq are due to the "catastrophic success" of the military: (emp add)
"Had we to do it over again, we would look at the consequences of catastrophic success – being so successful, so fast, that an enemy that should have surrendered or been done in, escaped and lived to fight another day"
That reminded us of a similar
explanation for when Bush fell on his face from eating a pretzel: (excerpts, emp add)
The medical term for Bush's episode is vasovagal syncope, or vasovagal fainting ... In such cases, the body sends a signal to the heart via the vagus nerve that slows the heart rate enough to cause a brief fainting spell.
A vasovagal episode isn't the only possibility, Skibbie said. Somewhat less common is cough syncope, where a coughing episode — similar to what Bush reportedly had — can increase pressure in the chest enough to momentarily lower blood pressure. It, too, is benign. Both types of fainting actually can be common among the physically fit because their blood pressure and pulse already are at nice low rates ...
It all makes sense now. People fall down because they are physically fit, and the military campaign was so successful that it failed to capture the enemy.
posted by Quiddity at 9/01/2004 01:15:00 AM
Another example of this administration(doesn't this word suggest some type of coherant management? I think my dog is better at administrating than this group of clowns) talks out of both ends of an issue. Going into Iraq they painted pictures of quick, decisive victories. Even if this was all "nuanced" and not outright said(also amazing that these people never said it if what you heard is thought to be something they didn't want you to hear or think) you can even hear Tommy franks talk of how they new the Iraqi army was a miserable force and not only in terms of armaments. He speaks of how during the invasion there was an ambush of a column of our tanks. Though the Iraqi's were very close when they set their trap, after a 10-15 minute fight, not one of our tanks had been hit.
