Posted on 12/09/2004 12:26:44 PM PST by Mike Fieschko
Almost immediately after returning to camp yesterday after the visit by the SECDEF, I did a google news search and read the AP Wire article and noted that, although the piece was fairly accurate, there was definitely a sense of exaggeration in the tone that presented the townhall meeting as a gripe session. As one of the soldiers in the audience, I felt that presenting the morning in such a fashion was misleading, and with such negative connotations, I wondered how long it may be before the MSM ran with the story and turned a pleasant morning with the Secretary of Defense into a scenario that resembled a defendant being cross-examined by the prosecution in a court room. I knew the story was generating heavy circulation when I saw it headlined on Drudge today (click here for story).
Before I dig in, I want to address one item in particular from the story linked above that I think was not made clear enough. When it stated:
Spc. Thomas Wilson had asked the defense secretary, "Why do we soldiers have to dig through local landfills for pieces of scrap metal and compromised ballistic glass to up-armor our vehicles?" Shouts of approval and applause arose from the estimated 2,300 soldiers who had assembled to see Rumsfeld.
Rumsfeld hesitated and asked Wilson to repeat his question.
I believe Secretary Rumsfeld hesitated because it was difficult to hear the first part of the question Spc. Wilson asked. Perhaps because of nerves, he spoke at first very quickly, and the acoustics of the hangar were hardly concert-hall quality. The Secretary asked others to repeat parts of their questions as well apparently because of difficulty hearing the question in its entirety. I do think Spc. Wilson is justified in asking such a question. It is a serious issue, and if logistics or "physics" is the obstacle from accomplishing the tasks of up-armoring vehicles to add to soldier safety, then we need to do our best to overcome that obstacle. The Secretary concluded with an anecdote in which he spoke of the recent terror warning surrounding the election. He said he looked out the windows of the Pentagon one day and saw 6-8 up-armored HMMWV's perched at the perimeter of the building. He then said, "Guess what, they aren't there any more."
I also want to express that as a person who has worked in politics for years, I was very surprised when we were told there would be the opportunity to ask questions without first having them screened. I would have assumed there would have been some process where those who had questions submitted them prior to asking the Secretary, and had them approved. Instead, everyone in the room was given the option to stand, motion for one of the soldiers holding a microphone, and ask anything they desired. There was no particular order of what kind of questions were asked and the soldiers who asked questions ranged in rank from Specialists to Lieutenant Colonels. When I say I was surprised that this part of the event was not micromanaged, I want to ensure you that I was pleasantly surprised. In my opinion, it shows the attitude that this Secretary has towards the soldiers he is sworn to represent. It shows those in uniform that he does not see us or our concerns as "below his level," but instead sends a signal that we are his concern, and ensuring we can accomplish the mission is his highest priority.
One more thing I would like to add is this, not one soldier present asked questions about why we were here, or expressed the sort of anti-war sentiment that Michael Moore led some to believe was prevalent in the military. Rather, the concern was about ensuring we would be supplied with all necessary equipment to accomplish the mission and return home safely. Let there be no doubt, this was not a hostile crowd eager to catch the Secretary of Defense off guard by grilling him with questions he has never had to answer. This was a group of truly admirable American's and patriots, receiving confirmation from the man who controls the Department of Defense, that we have the full fledged moral, financial and logistical support, to accomplish the mission.
Thanks to 2Slick, for commenting and clearing up the air as well, be sure to check out his post on the subject!
Also, welcome to all the new visitors coming via Instapundit, Powerline Blog, Real Clear Politics and countless others. You can also reach the site with all the pictures from the deployment at www.missick.com
Sgt?
I hope he wasn't planning on spending his pay this month. LOL
'cause it's gonna be a verrrrrrry long time before he sees a promotion...
Do you mean the author? Because if you do, read the post -- he praises Rumsfeld.
oops my bad...
looks like I misread...
seems that it will be Spc Wilson who will not be seeing a promotion for a verrrrrry long time. LOL
I misread and corrected myself
Spc Wilson will be waiting a lonnnnng time for a promotion. LOL
I read on one of the other threads that some reporter gave Wilson the question to ask Rummy...
This incident with Rumsfeld reminds me of the townhall Cheney did where he took and answered a question on gay marriage. The press played both as "gotcha" moments, but in truth they revealed the great courage these two stand-up guys have.
A reporter from the Chattanooga Times Free Press no less! Chattanooga is pretty solidly republican, certainly very solidly conservative and we've contributed a lot of men to the reserves (including my son). That our paper is such a liberal rag is very upsetting. That a sol-called reporter from this liberal rag "makes" news instead of "reporting" it really upsets me.
I quit buying the paper years ago - so how else do I express my unhappiness to them? I can just hear the explosion when my son gets this bit of news.
I haven't read anything about ANY of the OTHER questions asked; just the three "gotchas" the press is swooning over.
If I were you I would call the editor and read him/her the "riot act"!!!
and contact the advertisers in the paper and let them know that you will never buy their products and/or use their services...
nothing like hitting them in the wallet! LOL
BTW, tell your son for me, that this ol' Marine thanks him for his service!
Semper Fi,
Kelly
What the press and many in the general public don't get is that this isn't the Soviet army. The free exchange of ideas is not exactly encouraged, but is accepted as a way of doing business. I've seen senior NCO's read officers the riot act. I've seen WO aviators kick senior officers out of their aircraft after recieving outlandish requests.
This is the way the Army works. Until the bullets start flying, then training takes over and everybody falls in line.
Interesting take - -
There are many views on this - some good, some full of questions - one being - do we really need people of the ilk who let the "media" use them - self serving as it seemed to be -
On the other side - it's good to see that Rum. has an answer for them - the problem "is" being worked on. And that is "is" as in "is" - common sense meaning, in other words.
I read the article by the reporter who "got" the man to ask the question. His(reporter) concern was that he had learned he would be riding in a vehicle that did not have added protection - Thinking more of own skin? Perhaps - even though he went on in the article to try to say he was thinking of others after him - (can anyone in the media be trusted?)
As with the club killings and action of the "police" guy - there are "some" that still remember the reason for "duty" - and - like the killings at the school - where it took 4 hours(after the shooting had stopped) - there are "some" who think of "my" safety comes first - It takes all kinds - in all walks of life - to see the difference between "regular" and "fill in" - in a war -
Are there people at high levels not doing what the Defense Dept. thinks or wants - Perhaps Rum. should take this "question" on - and have a review of all "high ranking" people in charge over there - Be nice to know everyone is on the same page - and not just pretending or saying such -
The military (and the added ones from the guard, reserve)were under Clinton's Admin. corrupt control for 8 years - and infested in many ways - probably most ways as yet unknown - Better to be safe - than have surprises down the road - review everything - everyone - since the op. has been given -
just some thoughts - God bless the troops - and I hope they have leaders who are just as dedicated to freedom and the fight to keep freedom's movement alive and growing -
whats conservative about what bush is doing in america and in iraq? maybe the third party party people have a point. i felt dirty supporting bush for reelection but had no choice because the alternative was kerry.
Both are very good. these men sound very mature and understand the seriousness of their mission. God protect them. but sadly the Ratmedia will not let their story be told.
Well then you should just make sure there is a third party alternative when you vote in 2008. If you think that we are not doing the right think in Iraq or in the WOT then you should not be a republican but with some other party. You have the right to belive what you want but if you so believe differently then vote for someone else or don't vote at all.
Supposedly, this soldier was a plant by a reporter.
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