Retired Major General John Batiste criticized Donald Rumsfeld’s handling of the war in Iraq today, saying that Rumsfeld knows everything “except how to win”. He went on to say that US troops had been given inferior vehicles. I heard this particular sound bite on the radio this evening. This last part is an excellent example of the deceptive language in common use today amongst politicians of all stripes. What exactly does the General mean by this remark? I can think of three interpretations.

  Our troops have been given vehicles that are not as good as those used by our enemies

  Our troops have received vehicles that are not as good as they could be

  Our troops have been given shoddily made vehicles that, by their very use, put our troops’ lives in danger

I’ll rule out the first interpretation since our enemies have no military vehicles to speak of. The second is a blatantly obvious statement. Nothing is as good as it could be because we lack infinite resources and infinite funds. We could always spend more money to improve the design of a military vehicle. Of course, that money must come from somewhere (since money is a finite resource). Therefore less money must be given to something else (like food for our troops). This statement would appear to have no real value. It’s a bit like claiming that 2+2=4 with some surprise, as if people should be outraged about the fact. The third is interesting. If this is what the General meant, why didn’t he name names and initiate some call to action to improve the shoddy manufacture of military vehicles? Why indeed?