Military Officers Training vs. George Bush

I knew the 20 + years I spent in the military and the 4 years in R.O.T.C. would eventually help me write something.

The military is really good at teaching its officers by using "catch phrases" that are easily remembered.

Who can forget the poetry of "General Order # 1: To take charge of this post and all government property in view"? Or "General Order # 2: To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing"? Or even "General Order # 9: To call the commander of the relief in any case not covered by instructions"?

They taught us that "Rank Hath Its Privileges" but that "Rank Also Hath Certain Responsibilities."

They taught us that "Responsibility Can NOT be delegated" although authority can be.

And they taught us, which leads to the subject of this post, that "The Commander is responsible for everything his unit does or fails to do."

Apparently, George W. Bush never learned that during his tour as an Air Force fighter pilot. Hell, maybe, with his connections, he never had to learn to be an officer. They probably just pinned the bars on his shoulders and told him to take off.

But it remains a fact. The commander is responsible. Others may be responsible to him, but he has the ultimate responsibility.

In the case of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, Bush and his allies in and out the White House, like Karl Rove, have forgotten this elemental fact. If there was a failure in responding to the disaster, the responsibility is not the mayor of New Orleans or the Governor of the states involved. It is not the responsibility of the head of F.E.M.A. or even the Secretary of Homeland Security.

It is, and must remain, the responsiblity of George W. Bush. It was HE who appointed the members of the federal government who were supposed to take action. It was HIS job to insure they did theirs. Instead, he did what he did during the events of September 11th. He went away. He dodged his responsibility. He proved, once again, that he is the coward we always knew he was.

Bush's defenders (and they're legion, just look at the forum on Huntington News . Net and see posts by mrmajestk or hulda or others) are so wrapped up in defending him that they cannot see the damage he has caused. They will continue to defend him until something happens that affects them personally. They don't care about the country..... anymore than Bush does.

George W. Bush is the President of the United States. He is, therefore, the Commander-in-Chief. And the commander is responsible for everything his unit does or fails to do. Karl Rove would do well to remember that. Stop trying to pass the buck. It stops on Bush's desk.