What a difference 42 months make

In December 2004 President Bush awarded the Medal of Freedom to Tommy Franks and L. Paul Bremer. This week the Army will publish "On Point II: Transition to the New Campaign", which is a history focusing on the 18 months after "Mission Accomplished". Neither Franks nor Bremer look good in the history.

Franks acted as though the post-war period would be brief and we would be welcomed; ergo, there was little need to have a plan for the post-war period. He got rid of General McKiernan, who had been a prime mover in the winning campaign, and replaced him with General Sanchez of Abu Ghraib fame. This despite the pleas of the vice chief of Army staff not to replace an experienced headquarters staff with neophytes.

Of course, Bremer may have made the most serious mistake of all by disbanding the Iraqi army and ridding the government of any Baathists.

I'm surprised Brownie didn't get a medal for his work in New Orleans, another masterfully planned operation of our leaders.