A civilian's look at history

Everywhere I turn, Romeo Dallaire is there.  Now he's written another book about PTSD entitled, 'Waiting for First Light', an account of his many trials and tribulations as a Lieutenant General in the Canadian Army in various war-torn theatres.    

I believe he was not fit for the post.  I believe he was promoted because Canada was trying to rid itself of its "white, English" image in the armed forces, just as it was aggressively and blindly doing in the federal public service at the time.  In spite of the fact Dallaire is lauded far and wide -- even being awarded the highest US honour that can be bestowed on a foreigner:  the Legion of Merit (a sop for guilt over Rwanda) -- I have a problem with a guy who can't handle the heat in the average military kitchen.

These "unchristian" thoughts occur to me as I read a fabulous book by the WW II British General Sir Alanbrooke, one of the most competent generals in history.  Reading what he bore, I cannot imagine him or any of his ilk crying or getting drunk on a park bench in the public thoroughfare in the middle of the day; that's what mess halls and private quarters are for.  I cannot imagine the likes of Patton, McArthur, Eisenhower, Alexander, Montgomery, Bradley or Crerar, for example, ever doing anything of the like, or writing books about how tough it was and how hard-done-by they were.

Never.  Dallaire was simply the wrong guy to promote.  Not his fault, he probably thought he was deserving and up to the mark, but in my mind he was not. 

Nevertheless, in the spirit of narcissistic shamelessness, the general publically bit the hand that fed every chance he got.  What happened?  He was handsomely rewarded by being made a Senator in 2005.  Conveniently, he resigned in 2014 over.....something or other.....to concentrate on public speaking, where the real money awaits.  Oh, and did I mention that by waiting until 2014 he qualified for a full pension?  Coupled with all his other pensions, the guy is pretty much in-the-chips.   

Affirmative Action at its worst.