disgraced

Power corrupts. This time that truism is most disappointing, because from afar Paul Wolfowitz seemed like an honorable and capable man. Now it’s his turn in the spotlight. Austin Bay tells it like it is:

Overweaning arrogance and lack of self reflection are weaknesses of the Wolfowitz-Hadley-Libby-Feith crew. As a group they were well-suited for Beltway political wars — the kind of Beltway congressional and executive agency infighting that Rumsfeld (and Cheney, Libby’s boss) thought they would face in their battle for Pentagon reform and reorganization. 9/11 changed the mission. Instead of a figurative battle in the Beltway’s arena, the civilized world faced a long war with barbarism, a long, bloody war that placed a preimum on strategic clarity, personal courage and perseverance, not the contacts on your Rolodex. After 9/11 the entire lot should have been eased out in favor of experienced, genuine war fighters — real war fighters instead of Beltway Clerks.

World Bank employees believe Wolfowitz has compromised the institution’s integrity. They certainly have a case.

Anyone hear any good news lately?