I am not a big fan of President Obama. So when I started seeing articles about the book Obama's War by Bob Woodward, I wanted to see what the hubbub was about. Now I haven't read the book and only know of what is being said in the media about inside fighting and arguments about what the best strategy is. The thing that hit me the first is so what? War is a messy business where one side tries to out guess and out smart the other. Something always goes wrong but in the end you hope that the other guy makes more mistakes, and has more things go wrong for them.

If you read an in depth book about a particular war then you should find some fascinating not normally told details about what goes on behind the scenes with leaders, generals, battlefield commanders, and advisers. During the American Revolution there was controversy and some wanted to replace General Washington. During the Civil War there was a lot of controversy. Especially between Lincoln and General McClellan. The war of 1812, controversy. World War II and the Korean War? There was a lot of controversy with General MacArthur. Go back farther, there was argument among the leaders in Alexander the Greats army and probably every army that ever took the field. The point is that there always was and always will be arguments during the cloud of war.

What concerns me is this tell all mentality within the United States. Unlike most countries, we are used to airing our dirty laundry for the world to see. Revealing hidden facts and secrets 30 years after the fact is one thing. But bringing out the laundry in the middle of a war? Are you crazy? You don't tip your hand in a poker game. You don't tell your opponent in chess what book moves you use, or what piece you are attacking. Why do you tip your hand to your enemy in war? During Bush's term I was amazed and angered by the amount of classified material that was divulged.

Recently there was the controversy with Wikileaks obtaining classified documents that could greatly harm U.S. interests and could lead to the deaths of people who support us. And now this book. Does it really help to produce a book telling about administrative in-fighting during a war? No this will only help to encourage our enemies. So why was this book published? Well first it was done to make money. Second it was done to create controversy and maybe even to harm President Obama or our war effort.

Whatever the motivations such disclosures are wrong. It is not the thing to bring out now. Not while we are at war.

-- Thomas Paine 2

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