We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/secretary_of_st.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:31:04 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Montgomery, Alabama April 14, 2008 Secretary Rice receives the first honorary degree at Air University, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Alabama. SECRETARY RICE: [I deleted the usual pleasantries] General Lorenz, General Trey Obering, Secretary Beth Chapman, Dr. Bruce Murphy, distinguished guests, faculty, again, members of the Board of Visitors, ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to speak with you today about one of our most important missions and, indeed, one of our strategic opportunities, and that’s Afghanistan. But I want to thank all of you by helping to make possible what we are doing there. Much attention is paid to what... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/secretary_of_st.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/secretary_of_st.html Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:23:21 -0600 And not only do I think it would be a wonderful call for Americans who want to contribute in that way; but frankly, this isn't what the military, the Reserve and the Guard should be doing, and we've had to rely heavily on the uniformed military in order to do civilian stabilization and reconstruction because we've just not had the right institution. I think this is the right institution. It's had no stronger supporter than Bob Gates and the uniformed military. And if Congress fully funds it, which we hope that it will, it should be really ready for its initiation phases very shortly. Well, I'd be willing to go over and help the medical institutions develop good record keeping and administration, inventory control, etc. When do they need me?]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/secretary_of_st.html#comment-72035 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/secretary_of_st.html#comment-72035 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:29:23 -0600 Okay, someone is going to call this a sketchy observation, but I think I just heard Dr. Rice say "DoD punts on reconstruction" in her opening remarks. By saying it has to be the civilians, and the Guard and Reserve, like that it's saying that DoD wants to get back to the business of waging war only. Given the wierd nature of State compared to the professional nature of the military the only way we're going to get reconstruction right is if we have it done by the mil with strict guidelines(while leaving some lattitude to adapt on the ground realities). So I'm hearing punt. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/secretary_of_st.html#comment-71983 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/04/secretary_of_st.html#comment-71983 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:35:31 -0600