Realism

The first real profile of the Best and the Brightest is McGeorge Bundy. I've heard of him over the years, mostly as an example of the above, but never really knew anything about him. As will be the ongoing theme of this writing, so many of the issues are similar to our contemporary situation. The realists will guide us through. Let the professionals handle the war. It is a kind of self-protection against criticsm. Appearing serious and describing threats that may or may not be real somehow makes one a realist. I suppose much of it is the fear that this one time they may be correct. Isn't it safer to always be cautious and operate in a world of worst case scenarios.

. . . And yet the battle scenarios and results are seen through a best case filter. Realism only extends far enough to cede the decision making. It doesn't allow one to acknowledge what is really going on. Even when it is agreed upon that the plan is not working, somehow our nation is always told that we are too fragile for the truth, especially those who are facing the worst of it in the actual situation.

I recently watched The Good Shepherd and many of the scenes fit well with the personalities and circumstances talked about in this book. Not a great movie, but a good companion piece to a study of the Best and Brightest.