Bitter Lesson

A recent Rolling Stone interview with some leading thinkers was convened to discuss the Iraqi quagmire. Gen. Tony McPeak (retired), Member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Gulf War, contributed an important thought:

"This is a dark chapter in our history. Whatever else happens, our country's international standing has been frittered away by people who don't have the foggiest understanding of how the hell the world works. America has been conducting an experiment for the past six years, trying to validate the proposition that it really doesn't make any difference who you elect president. Now we know the result of that experiment."

Emphasis added.