Gates' advice to future defense secretaries

EVERY NOW AND THEN a high-ranking Washington official says something that reminds us that all is not lost in the maze of political gobbledegook. So it was with the words of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in his plain talk to a West Point audience. Referring to something said many years past by a famous American general, Gates declared:

"Any defense secretary who advises the president to again send a big American land army into Asia or into the Middle East or Africa should have his head examined, as General MacArthur so delicately put it."

There was no question that Gates was alluding to Don Rumsfeld, who is making the rounds with his new book that relieves him of any responsibility for the many mistakes he engendered during the Bush years. Too bad, Rumsfeld wasn't in the audience. He might have learned something. On the other hand, maybe not.

Sen Voinovich: Asking us to live by myth alone?

WHAT'S THAT? Our Sen. George Voinovich says he will oppose the Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal until he hears what our military leaders have to say about it. That's the old "we need more information to make a responsible decision"' dodge before we leap recklessly into things like health care and financial reforms and now gay and lesbian soldiers. As one who has chronicled the political class for many years , I would call Voinovich's retreat from a decision as a definite NO.

I know life for a senator can get pretty clotted these days to distract them from any details of an issue that has been debated for too long. But to sit and wait for word from the military leaders? Inasmuch as Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen have both said the discriminatory system should be repealed, I wonder what military leaders Voinovich is trying to access. Pope Julius II, the so-called "Warrior Pope" who never needed much encouragement to suit up for battle? Richard the Lionhearted, the venerable if ill-advised crusader? Snoopy's Red Baron?

Sorry, senator. Isn't it time that cohesive Republicans like yourself stop asking all us to live by myth alone?