I have personally experienced moments when I dissented from those in positions of authority. Yet, at the same time, I often questioned whether I would have the courage to have dissented from President Nixon if I were in the Administration. Being a part of something as significant as a Presidential Administration would be special. Could I dissent being so close to such power? I have similar questions when I expressed by anger and disapproval of Bush. It is so easy to criticize and "dissent" from a distance. What if I were in a position close to such power?
Richard Haas articulated the problems associated with dissenting when close to the source of power. Before the Iraq invasion, he disagreed with such a plan. When he was told to "save bis breath" since a decision had been made, he continued to express his views. Since he was not totally convinced that Iraq was not in a position to do damage on other nations (he stated that he was 60/40 against the invasion), he particularly wanted to ensure that the invasion achieved strategic goals. He negotiated with himself over the appropriate course of action. It was clearly a lesson in agony!
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