Mr. Rumsfeld, The world is not a video game!

In Bob Herbert's column today he discusses Rumsfeld's latest plans for the US intelligence effort. I'm not going to go into the details except to say that Lt. Gen. William Boykin is involved. That should be more than enough for you to see that it's really bad news. Herbert's concluding paragraphs do a really good job of summing up the Pentagon under Rumsfeld and his demented side kicks.

The war in Iraq was the result of powerful government figures imposing their dangerous fantasies on the world. The fantasies notably included the weapons of mass destruction, the links between Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein, the throngs of Iraqis hurling kisses and garlands at the invading Americans and the spread of American-style democracy throughout the Middle East. All voices of caution were ignored and the fantasies were allowed to prevail.

The world is not a video game, although it must seem like it at times to the hubristic, hermetically sealed powerbrokers in Washington who manipulate the forces that affect the lives of so many millions of people in every region of the planet. That kind of power calls for humility, not arrogance, and should be wielded wisely, not thoughtlessly and impulsively.

This latest overreach by Mr. Rumsfeld is a sign that the administration, like a hardheaded adolescent, has learned little or nothing from the tragic consequences of its wrongheaded policies. The second term is coming, so buckle up. It promises to be a very dangerous four years.

A very dangerous four years indeed. In addition to the collective insanity in the Pentagon we are going to have an economic policy that any madman could be proud of. The "recovery" was patched together with excess consumer spending and home building. With interest rates on the rise, debt levels at new highs and real wages not increasing this house of cards economy could crash at any moment. And Rumsfeld seems to be intent on even more wars. Remember when adults used to be in charge? No more!

Update
Jazz chimes in here.