If the media aren't telling the truth about Iraq, then it also must be reasoned that a lot of high-ranking retired military officers are spreading lies about Iraq. Now why would the latter do that unless they genuinely believed Iraq is a mess. After all, they have been scorned and ostracized by the White House, Pentagon, etc. Yet many retired high-ranking military stick to their story that Iraq is a mess that can't be solved by our current approach. Many, many of them opposed invading Iraq in the first place. These retired officers could take the easy way out, keep a low profile and say to themselves, "I'm retired. I don't have a dog in this hunt."

smile.....GOD bless you....karen

Thanks for noting this. I don't like this or any other war, but I know good reporting when I find it, and Michael Yon is doing it. Same for acting and Bruce Willis.

I see no particular contradiction, by the way, in saying Iraq is a mess and the troops are doing a good job. It's no differnt from bragging on the doctor whose surgical skills still fall short of complete restoration of the patient.

Yet many retired high-ranking military stick to their story that Iraq is a mess

Note the operant word retired. This would seem to indicate that they aren't actually there, in Iraq.

If people who never even wore a uniform could "know" that Iraq was the right country to invade and in fact helped plan the invasion and also believe and write that the war is going well, then I think that people who have worn the uniform and often have led past war efforts have some standing to say Iraq is a mess.