[EyeBrock]

Regina, Lew McKenzie has a good book out now called "Soldiers made me look good."

There are some interesting comments on Romeo in there. Like you said, I've heard he's a decent guy, just didn't have the bits that a field commander needs. He wouldn't be the first Officer promoted above his capabilities.

Who would you rather lead you when you are in the shit? Lew or Romeo?

I'll go with Lew.

[Regina]

If there were two lines..........I'd be in Lew's as well.

[Regina]

EyeBrock EyeBrock:

He wouldn't be the first Officer promoted above his capabilities.

I think something I've read referred to his promotable capabilities as being of a cultural nature.

[Akhenaten]

OK I have a question:
-Given the same circumstance...
-Given the same lack of leadership or assistance from the U.N. (I mean the U.N. lost any credibility it ever may have had by peering into Rwanda and not knowing if what they were looking at was a genocide or not)...
-Given the same deterioration of the situation in Rwanda...

What exactly would Lewis have done that Romeo didn't?

Unless you can come up with something drastic I think the criticism of him (in general) is undeserved.


Please remember that before Bosnia Lewis didn't have much experience in the field either (2 small peacekeeping missions if I understand correctly), and his own words state: soldier made me look good -- that and NATO air bombardment. The situation makes the man? I don't believe that personally. Nor do I believe the circumstances Romeo was faced with were on par with Lewis.

[2Cdo]

Akhenaten Akhenaten:

OK I have a question:
-Given the same circumstance...
-Given the same lack of leadership or assistance from the U.N. (I mean the U.N. lost any credibility it ever may have had by peering into Rwanda and not knowing if what they were looking at was a genocide or not)...
-Given the same deterioration of the situation in Rwanda...

What exactly would Lewis have done that Romeo didn't?

Unless you can come up with something drastic I think the criticism of him (in general) is undeserved.


Please remember that before Bosnia Lewis didn't have much experience in the field either (2 small peacekeeping missions if I understand correctly), and his own words state: soldier made me look good -- that and NATO air bombardment. The situation makes the man? I don't believe that personally. Nor do I believe the circumstances Romeo was faced with were on par with Lewis.

The biggest difference is Lew knew when to 'bend" the rules whereas Romeo blindly obeyed and let Belgian paratroopers get slaughtered. He may be a decent and nice man but he was not a good military leader. As far as the quote "soldiers made me look good", great military leaders have ALWAYS praised the troops that served under them.

[EyeBrock]

The title of his book says it all.
A real leader realises that a well functioning team is the true measure of a good leader, not being the main man all the time. Hence, "the Soldiers made me look good" instead of " I'm the the fuckin' top dog!"

Like I say, I'm sure Romeo is a decent guy but he couldn't hack it in a Command position, Lew did.

I just wonder why the Liberals seem to like him so much?

[kenmore]

Quote... Mr_Canada.."I'd love for Canada to have it's own monarchy"...

Well we kind of do..... harper thinks he is a king lol

[EyeBrock]

Regina Regina:

EyeBrock EyeBrock:

He wouldn't be the first Officer promoted above his capabilities.

I think something I've read referred to his promotable capabilities as being of a cultural nature.

Yea, Canada has to promote a certain 'culture' and the UK promotes the Eton/Oxbridge set.

Both sides don't need to have the ability, just the right 'background'.

The problem is that when the shit hits the fan, the idiot from Eton and the nice Quebecois chaps don't always measure up to expectations.

[kenmore]

Might be of note that many Québécois chaps have been educated in Britain... and they measure up quite well .. Merci!

[Yogi]

The 'imaginary importance' of the monarchy certainly doesn't warrant any of the ink or energy that it seems to generate. Right on par with 'Reality TV' ,and 'hollywood fluff! Anyone who really gives a shit about this sort of innuendo realy needs to 'get a life'!

[EyeBrock]

kenmore kenmore:

Might be of note that many Québécois chaps have been educated in Britain... and they measure up quite well .. Merci!

Romeo didn't.

[kenmore]

Did he not attend the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom? I thought he did.. from what I have read about him

[Lemmy]

I'll vote for McKenzie because Romeo Dallaire has never been honoured as "Scottish-Canadian of the Year". Lew put on the Highland dress, graciously accepted the award, spoke eloquently and opened the bar for all in attendance; a gentleman through and through.

[EyeBrock]

kenmore kenmore:

Did he not attend the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom? I thought he did.. from what I have read about him

Yep, and going on a course does not a man make.