I read in several sources yesterday, and it was then covered in the evening television news, that 1st Lt. Andrew J. Bacevich (junior) of Walpole, MA, was killed by an IED in Iraq on 13 May 2007. He was 27. I note Lt. Bacevich’s death, when I have not noted the deaths of so many others, due to the notoriety of his father, Boston University professor Andrew J. Bacevich (senior). Professor Bacevich has been a critic of the war in Iraq from before its start, challenging its fundamental basis as corrupt, immoral, and unwise. If you are unfamiliar with the professor, and lest you write him off as “just another left-wing New England university intellectual,” you should be aware that he approaches the issue firmly from the right. (This is different, of course, from him being correct, although he usually is this as well.) He is best known today as a firm opponent of the Bush doctrine of “preventive war.”
The professor graduated from West Point and fought in Vietnam. He was a career officer, serving in posts throughout his career in Germany, the US, and the Persian Gulf. Bacevich ended his career as a colonel and strongly believes in a powerful military and in the wise use of its force to defend the interests of the country. In addition to teaching at BU, he has taught at West Point and at Johns Hopkins University.
In opposing the war, Bacevich has written many articles and opinion editorials, as well as the book titled The New American Militarism: How Americans are Seduced by War. Despite his opposition, he was reported as being very proud of his son’s military service and supported him in his career choice. That his son died during a campaign he thinks not only unwise, but extremely harmful to his country, must make the blow of his son’s death that much greater. I have no doubt that the professor will continue his struggle for rationality in our country’s leadership. I hope that rationality – and wisdom – will indeed finally soon take hold.
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