Recently, much has been made by the media about former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates new book, "Duty" - as a thoughtful criticism of our government.
I've neither read nor seen the book primarily because as of this writing I believe it has not yet been published.
Therefore, please let my ignorance and possibly naivete be your temporary guide.
As one might expect, a prompt response to Gates' book was delivered by Senior White House Advisor Dan Pfeiffer. He disagreed with Gates assessment of both Obama and Biden, but not as strongly as one might expect.
He said he "fundamentally disagreed" with the former Defense Secretary's assessment of the President and Vice-President; but then he threw us a curve that is currently in vogue in Washington as well as Hollywood.
He dismissed the criticism by Gates as a confirmation of his (Pfeiffers) "tempering experience" of being in the White House for years and, (as)"one that gives you perspective"
He concludes, "You can separate the signal from -- what's just Washington noise and (that which) really matters . . . you don't get worked up about things that you know are going to be fleeting or aren't going to matter in the long term."
USA Today didn't see it that way. Nor do I.
The man whom Pfeiffer would not waste much breath on is one who was not only a member of both political parties Cabinets, but a true Washington insider, who is seen as level headed and respected by many.
The newspapers assessment: "Gates is the type of person increasingly in short supply in Washington .. . . . . he is motivated not by ambition but by dedication to service, love of country, and deep concern for the men and women who put themselves in harms way. What he has to say is important."
Gates described Congress as "uncivil, incompetent, parochial, and hypocritical". I might have added one of the seven deadly sins "Greed(y)". Maybe he did.
Gates continued, "Members of Congress routinely subordinate the national interest to their own" . . . (they) sanctimoniously criticize Pentagon bloat only to insist on continuing inefficient or obsolete programs in their own states or districts."
USA Today closes with this quote: "Only shame can change the situation, and members of Congress who engage in the petty, destructive behavior Gates describes aren't shamed often enough." (see Citizens United)
Folks, if the official W.H. reaction to what appears to be valid criticism from a respected critic is depicted as nothing more than "noise", we truly are "Going to Hell in a handbasket."
Hopefully we can change that. We desperately need more responsible resources like Bob Gates and the media's reliable and selfless guidance to assist us on our journey.
Monday, January 13, 2014
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