Wesley Clark at Purdue
Tonight, General Wesley Clark gave a presentation at Purdue University entitled "The Balkans: A Strategic Vision." The presentation lasted around an hour and was followed up by a reception and book signing. There were 1000 tickets available for the lecture, and not surprisingly, they were sold out.
The presentation itself was amazing. Tonight was the first time I have heard General Clark speak live, and I was blown away. Thinking back to the '04 primaries...I remember being left with the impression that he was not ready for nearly every aspect of the political situation which he was thrust into. Either that impression was wrong or the primary experience has made him a very effective public speaker.
He opened the speech by referring to some of the perks that his old job (NATO Supreme Allied Commander) gave him. Such things as a armored Mercedes with a driver, helicopters, a gulfstream, several military aircraft, his own airfield, a chateau with greenhouses, botanical gardens, a staff of hundreds - all of this for his personal needs. It was the best job that he could imagine and he didn't want it to end. All good things must however.
From there he started on the major body of his presentation - the events leading up to and including the bombing of Kosovo. The General talked for nearly an hour on this topic without notes and hardly ever pausing. His recollection of dates and events is remarkable. He described various conversations he had with high level government officials in the Clinton administration. He also even described several of his face-to-face conversations with Slobodan Milosevic. Wes told Misosevic in person that we were going to bomb him if he didn't pull his troops out of Kosovo. Milosevic's response - NATO must do what it must do.
One main point that I took out of Wes' presentation was that there needs to be someone to stand up against genocide when it occurs. He was a member of the military during the Rwanda massacre, and he vowed not to let another genocide occur under his command if he could stop it. It takes guts to stand up for what is right. The other main theme I took away was that our excursion into the Balkans was accomplished in the right way. Not one US military member was killed by hostile fire. This was because a coalition of nations was built, and diplomacy was used in effective ways. The military was used as a stick for diplomatic mission underway...and they used the military as part of a strategic plan.
There were several professional video cameras at the event, so there may eventually be a broadcast somewhere. Ill would highly recommend watching the presentation when/if it is aired. You will learn much new information on the Balkans.
posted by Steve R. @ 11:25 PM
12 Comments:
Thank you for this first hand account of Wes Clark's talk at Perdue. You discovered what those of us who have followed his travels and heard him speak in person at other big events have found--he is an amazing individual. (The last large event I was privileged to attend was The Fredericksburg Forum at Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg, VA last October. He appeared with Madeline Albright and Lawrence Eagleburger to speak on Global Security today) He has an important message on so many topics and can deliver that message in a very effective way. The fact that he speaks extemporaneously, with incredible detail and in a manner that engages his audience, is a trademark of Wes Clark. I do hope this appearance is captured on video and will be shown on CSPAN or some other accessbile venue, and like the author above, I'd encourage everyone to take the opportunity to hear and see Wes Clark in action. You'll be blown away, too.
Thank you for this post! As a long-time General Clark supporter one of the things I know is that IF Clark is willing to enter the next presidential race it's up to us to inform people about this exceptional man.
With the corporate controlled media and the "comfortable with business as usual" government, we can expect no help in spreading the word about someone who works for the common good and has an ever-developing long-term vision of how best to do that. This has been the consistent theme of General Clark's life.
-jen
Proud Clark Democrat
http://www.securingamerica.com/
I love Evan Bayh. I love Wesley Clark. Extraordinary men for different reasons.
Thanks for the review of Wes Clark's appearance at Purdue. I have been following his writings and speeches and t.v. appearances since he jumped into the 2004 race and can honestly say I have not been disappointed by any of his actions or articles. He is articulate and thoughtful and doesn't resort to strident rhetoric or sensationalism. He makes me proud to be an American...representing everything good about America....unlike the current resident of the White House. I believe Wes Clark would be a great leader for the democratic party and America - if only the mainstream press would give him a chance. I am thoroughly disheartened by the continued promotion of Hillary Clinton as the only "savior" of the democratic party.
Thanks so much for being honest and generous in your assessment of Wes Clark. I get sick of hearing people claim he's not an effective speaker and it's extra special to read a supporter of another potential candidate give credit where credit is due.
There's no doubt he's learned a lot about getting his message across in the political arena since the early days of the 2004 campaign. We were promised he was a "quick study" and so he has proved to be. I've seen him speak live once and found him compellingly articulate and genuine.
What a great report, and not being able to see this in person, what a surprise. I've seen General Clark several times and yes, he blows people away. When he taught philosophy and economics at West Point, it was said that he was the sort of teacher that developed "a following." I can easily believe that for his speeches are like a great lesson learned.
My favorite speech is his Seton Hall address:
http://www.torgo.us/wesley/seton.htm
If you have never read it, I would suggest that you owe yourself.
Anyway, thank you for taking the time to write this. As General McCafferty once said: Wes Clark is a national treasure. I agree. And good luck with Bayh.
Donna Z.
This was a very gracious piece that you wrote about another Democrat, and it relects well on the man that you personally support that you are so open to writing about the strengths other Democrats offer our Party also. That you also obviously think highly of Bayh, now gives me more reason to respect him as well.
Wesley Clark can be a very powerful and inspiring speaker. I've seen him in person more than once, and he can move people to tears with the sincerity of his convictions. We are fortunate to have him fighting with us.
Obviously you can tell by now that some of us who know and respect Wesley Clark have discovered your blog as a result of this piece.
I am very serious in saying that I wish you luck in your support for Evan Hayh in 2008. You have demonstrated personal integrity, and that is the strongest testiment to any politician that a supporter can provide.
Thank you for writing this.
Tom Rinaldo
I always enjoy reading accounts from people who are discovering General Clark for the first time.
He has a tendency to have this effect on everyone he meets!
I have been a staunch supporter of General Clark from the first day I witnessed him doing the military analysis on the Iraq War on CNN. I became a political junkie for the first time in my life because of General Clark and supported him in his 2004 presidential bid. Even though he didn't win the nomination, to this day I am so proud that he was the candidate I supported.
You captured General Clark's essence very well. I learned so much from listening to his speeches, press conferences and other events........there's no question he can't answer.....and yet do it in a way that is easily understandable by all. He has a "presence" that can take over a room. He is someone I have the utmost respect for and wish he'd had the opportunity to show the country what an extraordinary president he would have been. He is a "class act" and how proud we, as Americans, would have been to have had him as our president. Whatever he decides re 2008, he has my support!
Irene West
I apologize for neglecting to thank you for your kind words about General Clark even though you support another candidate. I will make it a point to learn more about Senator Bayh since he attracts supporters such as you. The following quote by General Clark says it best:
"No Democrat can win in 2008 unless the American people believe that they can defend them! The American people will trust the Democratic Party to defend America, when they believe that Democrats will defend other Democrats." -- Wes Clark, April 2005
Irene West
P.S. I like the clever way you wove Senator Bayh's name on your blog. Very creative.
I would be interested in an actual transcript of the talk. From what i have read of your account it seems that there is a gross misunderstanding on his part, and of those who take his words as providing an accurate insight into what happened in the Balkans.
You state 'The other main theme I took away was that our excursion into the Balkans was accomplished in the right way'.
We'll thats just great for America, you saved the day again.
Well no, the bombing by NATO made the situation far worse than it was at that time.
Also, does funding and training a 'terrorist' group (UCK / KLA) mean that things were accomplished in the right way?
Much like the training of the mujahadeen and Bin Laden was such a success.
Please look outside your normal channels of information, there are plenty of accounts of what happened in the Balkans which give you a more honest insight than the military and government propaganda you are used to.
Martin.
Skopje, Macedonia.
The "right way" is the USA performing military action for humanitarian reasons without any US military casualties. This can only be accomplished with a proper strategy.
We began the bombing campaign because Milosevic would not withdrawl his troops from Kosovo. Committing genocide village by village is something that NATO tends to frown upon.
The same argument about the KLA can be made about the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. But sometimes it is useful to help the enemy of your enemy. The costs vs benefits must always be weighed.
Also thanks to everyone for the comments.
Unfortunately the claim that the us military acts for humanitarian reasons is completely hollow, as im sure you are aware of, but undoubtedly will refuse to admit.
There are a vast number of sources which you can read to provide insight into not just the conflict in the Balkans, but other situations which show your humanitarian claim to be pure fiction.
This article is a good start :
http://www.zmag.org/zmag/articles/chomskyapril2000.htm
I understand that the us military perspective of a 'good war' is one in which the us casualties are minimised and corporate interests are well served. Never mind the civilians who are killed, or who are forced to flee their homes as a result.
Im sincerely disappointed that the willingness to believe in the benevolence of our governments (i myself being from the UK) prevents a deeper understanding of the situation and any sense of responsiblity for the suffering of those who dont live in the rich and powerful nations of the world. (or indeed those who do but are not rich or powerful themselves)
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