[68skylark]

Rummy is an idiot.

He just oversaw one of the most lopsided military victories in the history of the world. I'm sorry if that's not up to your standards, but Secretary Rumsfeld more than meets my expectations for a Secretary of Defense.

I only wish other federal goverment departments were run as well.

[justshe]

Amen.

Anyone who thinks "Rummy is an idiot" after this brilliant campaign, that even the British are saying will be studied for years due to its' excellence, isn't playing with a full deck.

[Fred Mertz]

Like I said, he's an idiot. An arrogant one too.

[WOSG]

"He just oversaw one of the most lopsided military victories in the history of the world. I'm sorry if that's not up to your standards, but Secretary Rumsfeld more than meets my expectations for a Secretary of Defense."

I approve of him 100% as well.

You cant improve these huge bureaucracies without stepping on toes - why people believe the whiners and not the proof in the victories is beyond me.

[dufekin]

Although I share your elation over the progress thusfar made in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the United States of America has not won and still has much work to do. Reports indicate that the Saddam Hussein regime will either surrender unconditionally or be declared terminated next week. Until then, we still have fighting to do, although it is unclear at this point exactly where in Iraq, save for a few terrorists and paramilitaries.

[Drammach]

He just oversaw one of the most lopsided military victories in the history of the world. I'm sorry if that's not up to your standards, but Secretary Rumsfeld more than meets my expectations for a Secretary of Defense.

It was also one of the most lopsided confrontations in military history, on a par with Grenada, or Panama.

Sorry, 68skylark, but facts is facts.
Iraq was totally outclassed by the most powerful, most advanced military coalition in history.
It didn't really put up much of a fight. It has shown more resistance after the actual war, in the form of hit and run guerrilla tactics and terrorist attacks than the formal military did.
The Government Leaders deserted, followed closely by the military leaders, leaving a ground force with outdated and poorly maintained equipment and forcibly drafted, untrained soldiers and no air support to fight us.

Sorry, justshe, you can call it a brilliant military victory if you want, but it was only due to the fact there was very little to no resistance.
IMHO, concerted study will find uses for some of the tactics that were used, but just as many serious strategic and tactical mistakes were made as well.
It was part choice, partly luck that we met such an inferior force in combat, that those mistakes were not exploited, resulting in real damage to the campaign and massive casualties to our forces.

Sorry, Fred Mertz, but Rummy's not an idiot.
Like the president, he kept his nose out of the war part, and just made sure he had the right people running it, and also, making sure this was not a military branch competition, but a cooperative effort.
Likewise, he had to deal with congress, the media, and hew to the requirements set forth by the president, while dealing with a decidedly antagonistic state department.
I think Rummy has done a pretty good job, but it was made much easier by Iraq's lack of resistance.
A quick and decisive victory makes everyone look good.

I hope it never happens, but I withhold judgement as to the total outcome until we meet a serious opponent.
North Korea may be next, or Syria, or we may find ourselves in a real test, like mainland China.(response to a N.Korean campaign)

Make no mistake, I supported this war, and not just for the politically expedient reasons stated by the administration.
I knew the WMD argument might be hard to prove.
If I had been Saddam, I would have totally committed the nation to verification, and been cleared by weapons inspectors as early as 1993-4.
Once cleared, I would have been free to use ALL my un-sanctioned oil reserves for rebuilding my military and re-consolidating my power in the middle east.
But Saddam was (is?) a megalomaniac, and unable to think rationally.

I wanted Saddam out because he was (is?) EVIL.
A sadistic, murderous bastard with no right to live.
An aspiring Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin, etc.. SCUM.
That was all the reason I need(ed) to remove him. (with prejudice.)
Likewise other SCUM that keep their "subjects" in a living hell. ( N.Korea, Zimbabwe just two examples )

Anyway, just my thoughts on your "debate" concerning Rummy and the war.
Not all as great as some of you made it out to be, but not as bad either.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Right, Colin powell needs to chop numerous heads at the State Department!

[nicmarlo]

I only wish other federal goverment departments were run as well.

Besides, Rummy has great wit and sure knows how to put idiot reporters in their place. : )

[AlbionGirl]

Boy you're right about that. Rumsfeld is seriously smart, and as he likes to point out, the military is under civilian control.

I bet that there is very little difference in objectives between Rumsfeld and the military heavyweights, rather it's a matter of style. He's not afraid of offending people, even those who feel that the sacrifices they've made should shield them from such treatment and/or offense.

It is amazing to me how when the war looked as if it might encounter a snag or two, the snags were all Rumsfeld's doing and now that all has gone well, Franks is the man to thank.

I love Rumsfeld, he is one impressive human being.

God grant him continued health, success and long life.

P.S. He's the epitome of virilty.