I've always felt like disbanding Saddam's Army was an egregious error. Until recently, that is, because I ran through my mind what would likely happen if we'd not disbanded Saddam's Army. I concluded, as Hitchens put it recently, we were right to dissolve the Iraqi Army.

The issue of whether or not the army should have been disbanded is rather beside the point; the biggest mistake by far was going into Iraq in the first place.

That GWB doesn't remember that decision is just a another token testament to the fact that he is incapable of giving serious due consideration to his policies when millions of lives are on the line.

Yeah, but before you disband an army, make sure you disarm them first!

Watch the documentary No End in Sight and see if you still think it was a good idea to dissolve the Iraqi army (500,000 armed men - suddenly without jobs)... and to dismiss 50,000 Baathist officials (many of whom only joined the party so they could do their jobs) ... and to allow the looting of Iraq's museums and libraries, which contained many of civilization's ancient treasures, while defending oil wells. The combination of these elements created a perfect storm of encouragement for the insurgency.

Hitchens may need to watch it, too. I have a feeling he's probably being a little selective in analyzing the evidence on this particular issue.

P.S. I note that Hitch mentions No End in Sight - condescendingly - in the article you link to but makes no attempt to debate it's specific points.

He's also engaging the fallacy of limited options - as if it was a choice between disbanding the entire army or keeping the entire army. At least, he admits that Bremer handled the dismissal of the army poorly.

"its not becouse he has a mesianic view"

Or did he mean massonic?

It seems to me that the real rulers of the world are prepared to hang Bush out to dry for the cause.

What IS the deal with this dude's hair?

Disbanding was an either-or option. That is, either you disband or you don't.

I agree with Ricky Bones. And would delve in further by saying just because it was ineptly carried out, just because we shouldn't have been there in the first place, doesn't make it not the lesser of two evils.

I would further add I don't really care for Hitchens other opinions concerning the Iraq war.

The guy looks like Adolf Hitler's gay cousin.

his hair is pretty cool.. I love the 80s skater look. A bit of the 80s Tony Hawk look.

Interesting.

Maher really puts a guy on the spot.

I've started to believe the book-reading thing. I think the competition angle is exactly what would appeal to Bush.

That, and reading histories and comparing himself to other Presdidents. "Hey, I'm just like Lincoln!"

According to the list (at Slate? Can't remember), he's quite fond of John D. MacDonald, whose mysteries, highly enjoyable, are filled with pulpy violence and sex.

I'd never considered Maher's "waiting for a miracle" hypothesis. That's intriguing.

Maybe an asteroid hitting Iraq could make it all okay.

I think the hair is Julian Sands in Room with a View.