8-20-03

As I write this, there is a particular man among us who has stood up to be counted every day….for his country, and for all of us. Now he is at an historic crossroads in his life, due in part to his own words and actions, as well as those of the thousands who seek to draft him and the hundreds who participate in his brainchild – The National Conversation. That man is General Wesley K. Clark. In a few weeks he may make a decision that could forever alter his own life, as well as the lives of millions of others…no matter which decision he makes; to run for the office of President of the United States or not.

The first time I remember hearing about General Clark was during the Kosovo War. It didn’t get a lot of play here, but when it did, I paid attention. There was something about the man giving the press briefings that made me pay attention, and it wasn’t those four shiny stars on each shoulder. It was the brilliant, clear, calm and decisive way he spoke. In recent months, many more people have had the chance to hear him speak as the head military analyst for CNN during the Iraqi War, at conferences and public speaking engagements worldwide, and in more than a dozen television and radio interviews. Many others have also read his columns for the London Times and his book, “Waging Modern War,” which, by the way, should be required reading in every history class from high school up.
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