George Bush said, "They had a sign that said 'Mission Accomplished.' It was a sign aimed at the sailors on the ship, but it conveyed a broader knowledge. To some it said, well, Bush thinks the war in Iraq is over, when I didn't think that. But nonetheless, it conveyed the wrong message."

“It is undeniable that Iraq is in a much better place than it was several months ago,” said Army Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander of Multinational Corps Iraq -- PERFECT TONE learning from the master --

Know your CHURCHILL...

"Iraq's in a much better place than it was a year ago, across the board - politically, economically and from a security standpoint," said Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mullen, the top U.S. military officer. 

Perfect tone - makes 2003 and 2004 look like the goof parade. 

A careful and great choice of words - "Iraq is in a much better place than it was a year ago."  All any official in a democracy can say in public - "My fellow citizens all the future holds is: blood, toil, tears and sweat." --- NOT - "U.S. Cites Big Gains Against Al-Qaeda" or the infamous "Mission Accomplished" banner.

For the next thousand years, every American general will have a resounding narrative.  Do us all a big favor.  Know a lot more about every aspect of the art of war across the full spectrum of war than you do about, say, golf or basketball or running a bait shop... please? 

Even more important, please speak up in your private meetings, don't resign.  

America is still a young Republic, lets hope we never have another National Command Authority (but we will) making such galactic mistakes causing so many unforced errors.  Let's also hope our senior uniformed officers speak up early and often in private (make'm do two hundred Shinsekis and question their dumb+ss assumptions daily) because we never want to see another parade of public spilled milk AFTER THE GENERALS HAVE RETIRED... that was embarrassing. 

With this Bush gift, it need never happen again.