Bush appoints new "Master of War"

Today, George W appointed his new War Czar (a reference to those beloved Russian tyrants of old, but don't get me started on the democracy vs. monarchy discussion again), because that's what it will take to turn this mess around, right? Lord knows all we've been lacking all along is the right corporate-style manager to "implement and execute" W's grand strategy. Of course it would help all involved if they could fathom just what that strategy is.

At least the new guy claims to have a skeptical mind, so he's not just another "yes man." Forgive me if I keep my own skepticism when it comes to that.

Here's a short blurb from the New York Times story:

White House Names General to Be ‘War Czar’
By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG

WASHINGTON, May 15 — The White House said this afternoon that President Bush ended his lengthy search for a “war czar” to carry out Iraq and Afghanistan policy by offering the job to an active duty three-star Army general who said in his interview that he had been skeptical of the troop buildup in Iraq.

Mr. Bush selected Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, currently the top operations officer for the Pentagon’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, for the position. It would carry the rank of assistant to the president and deputy national security adviser; General Lute will retain his active military status and, therefore, must be confirmed by the Senate, which approves new assignments for three- and four-star generals.

Read the full article

All of the War Czar talk, and the fact that the new guy has quite the musical name ("Lute"), brought to mind one of my favorite Bob Dylan songs: Masters of War. It sums up my sentiments on this whole administration. Charlie Pierce, Andy Levenberg and James Weigel have been playing a pretty kick-ass live version of the song over at Duke's in Rogers Park each Thursday nite. Come on by this week and check it our for yourself.

Masters of War by Bob Dylan

Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead

Copyright © 1963; renewed 1991 Special Rider Music