Iraq Studies Group: The usual subjects

Debra J. Saunders at the San Francisco Chronical (neo-con hotbed) asks a good question. Don't you think if Washington wanted "fresh eyes," government leaders could have appointed someone under age 67? Yes, the 10 ISG members are supremely experienced. Still, the public would have been better served with a group that has a blend of ages -- beyond ages 67 to 76 -- as well as individuals who don't belong to the clique of Washington Beltway alumni. WordAroundTheNet has called them the "COALITION OF THE WIZENED."

• James A. Baker - 76
• Lee H. Hamilton - 75
• Lawrence S. Eagleburger - 76
• Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. - 71
• Edwin Meese III - 75
• Sandra Day O’Connor - 76
• Leon E. Panetta - 68
• William J. Perry - 79
• Charles S. Robb - 67
• Alan K. Simpson - 75

YMBFKM.

He has a nice pull quote.

That said, how can these bleary eyes be considered remotely fresh? There is something to be said for times changing and failed ideas of the past being rejected for a different sort of approach and solution. These men (and one woman, cryptically a judge - she is an expert on foreign policy now? Was Elizabeth Dole not available?) have had their chance in the past to deal with, confront, and handle the issues we're facing now. They had their day of power, their time to solve the trouble we face.

Almost without exception they are members of former administrations, administrations that to a man failed to deal with the issue of terrorism or contributed to their rise, power, and confidence. It's not that they are old, it's that their age is iconic of their past and their previous failures. These aren't fresh eyes, they are failed, discredited eyes.

J-Pod has a nice comment, snicker, as well.

This is the consensus view of the Iraq Study Group, which is very proud that it reached consensus.

Its members also reached a consensus view that Depends is a really fine brand of adult diaper, and that they love reruns of "Murder, She Wrote."