Johnny-Come-Lately's: Scowcroft and Wilkerson

Later today, Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft will join the ranks of earlier critics (retired Gen. Anthony Zinni, former US Secretary Treasurer Paul O'Neill and former US Counter-Terrorism czar Richard Clarke) and last week's newcomer ret. Col. Lawrence Wilkerson in denouncing US President George W. Bush and his neocon cabinet, according to WashingtonNote, the personal website of Steve Clemons, Senior Fellow at the New America Foundation.

US Department of State veteran diplomat Robin Raphael also came out of the closet this past week (see UPI).

Why are Scowcroft and Wilkerson so late to join the party? Why don't they say something new? The answer is: politics. Mr. Bush's post-9/11 honeymoon is over and the wolves are out to gobble up his moon -- but no sooner, with no sacrifice like resignations of protest, not like some lesser-knowns who have really taken it on the chin earlier in the game -- like former US ambassador Joseph Wilson.

This is not to belittle the efforts of General Scowcroft, Colonel Wilkerson, or others. After all, General Scowcroft did go public with his opposition to the war in the Fall of 2002 (see Wall Street Journal). Americans should consider, however, how much of such recent efforts are goodwill, how much prudent timing, and how much politics.

Scowcroft articles:
New Yorker
Wall Street Journal

Wilkerson articles:
Financial Times
United Press International
Bloomberg
The Guardian (UK)
New York Times
Washington Post Op-Ed by Rob Malley