Connecticut U.S. Marine Michael Zacchea had a job to do in 2004: train and lead the first Iraqi Army battalion after the U.S. disbanded the country’s military post invasion.
This hour, we revisit our conversation with Zacchea, and co-author Ted Kemp about their book The Ragged Edge which details the challenges Zacchea faced leading a diverse group of Iraqis.
We ask them what lessons can we learn from the Iraq War — a war that continues today.
Plus, Connecticut’s legislature is considering a proposal to raise the state’s sales tax — an option that proponents say will diversify revenue sources and benefit cities and towns.
But skeptics fear such a move would be detrimental for business and the economy.
We dig into the debate.
GUESTS:
- Michael Zacchea - Retired Lt. Col, U.S. Marine Corps, Co-author of The Ragged Edge: A U.S. Marine’s Account of Leading the Iraqi Army Fifth Battalion
- Ted Kemp - Senior Editor at CNBC, Co-author of The Ragged Edge: A U.S. Marine’s Account of Leading the Iraqi Army Fifth Battalion
- Joe DeLong - Executive Director of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities
- Timothy Phelan
- President of the Connecticut Retail Merchants Association
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Chion Wolf contributed to this show, the first part of which originally aired on February 28, 2017.