Tabs,
I missed the program, but I think Colin Powell and Wes Clark are fairly credible too. However, Powell is in a tight place with some misplaced loyalty to answer to. But he's (Powell) also suppossedly on the inside who probably knows a lot more than these retired generals. Was Shinseki and Schwarzkopf on the panel? I'd be surprised if Tommy Franks was there. He had his own conflict with Rummy's ideas.
Here's a short piece on Schwarzkopf on Iraq (Jan, '03):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A52450-2003Jan27?language=printer
... an article about the Wolfowitz/Shinseki disagreement about needed troop strength back in Feb. '03. It's nice to have some insight into recent history and vindication for Shinseki's expertise. Civilians playing army
http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq/attack/consequences/2003/0228pentagoncontra.htm
and finally, some military opinions about the current situation in Iraq:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1305360,00.html
Tabs, you're right. When the military calls it like it is, you're not getting the same type of storytelling like you would from the spinmasters on the hill.
General announcement: If you think the war is going great, do you also dismiss the military experts? Are you Paul Wolfowitz?
Sherwood