Rumsfeld 'micromanaging': report

Agence France-Presse (AFP) ^ | 3-30-03

[auboy]

I did not say Shinseki is stupid. I said Rumsfeld is brilliant. And I said that some generals are not.

[geedee]

A report from Agence France Presse is as credible as a report from Reuters.

Now, now. We have to give them credit for their top-of-the-line sources . . . "SENIOR US war planners, one senior planner told the magazine, Planners with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a former intelligence official said, one senior planner told the magazine, Another former intelligence official."

See? Like most diligent French media outlets, they didn't make anything up -- they sourced everything. How could you possibly doubt such a fine organization? Only a skeptic would disbelieve this just because they never used a NAMED source that could be held accountable.

Sheeeeeeeesh. We have to be fair.

[Enemy Of The State]

>>The man in this suit (Rumsfeld) is brillant.

I like Rummy and I think he is brilliant at handling the press and foreign dignitaries


>>Some generals are not. The name Shineski comes to mind. >>Remember his "beret" idea?"

Sigh, Yeah, I remember the beret brain fart..But still, I think I would rather put my faith in the field generals who know more about whats going on. Everything looks good on paper but its another thing when its put into action. I remember hearing the suits originally planned to try this attack on Iraq with a measly 30,000 troops. Thank goodness for Tommy Franks!!! The reason we have close to 300,000 troops going in there is solely because of this man (Tommy Franks). Now there are another 100,000 troops in route to back up the ones already there.

[auboy]

I love General Franks and I feel we have our smartest leaders in the field of operations. IMHO, Tommy Franks is brilliant, no-nonsense, and cares for the men and women under his command like they are his children.

No doubt, he is under tremendous stress. I pray everyday for him and all coalition forces.

[Kevin Curry]

And I said that some generals are not.

Having watched dozens of men (and a few women) ascend to flag officer rank, it is my opinion that that slowness of thought and stupidity are not traits to be found among them. When they do stumble, it is generally because of hubris, sex, or for not accurately discerning the direction the Beltway political winds. When they do stumble and fall, it is usually at the first star.

I also believe that most generals are Rumsfeld's equal intellectually. A few are brilliant beyond Rumsfeld. Not as many have Rumsfeld's steely-eyed determination and absolute confidence in their own opinions. Finally, Rumsfeld has this one thing they do not have: He OWNS them, outranks them utterly and completely.

[auboy]

I also believe that most generals are Rumsfeld's equal intellectually.

I am sure you are right.

A few are brilliant beyond Rumsfeld.

Once again, you are right.

But I stand by the word "some". I did not say "all". I did not say "most". I did not say "many". I did not say "several". I said "some".

[Ann Archy]

NAMES!!! We want NAMES!! I smell a Michael Wolff, maybe???

[Ann Archy]

Shinsheski is worse tha stupid....he's a DEMOCRAT!

[NMC EXP]

And this is a bad thing? Bun'cha whiners in the Pentagon.

Maybe when you go in for your coronary bypass the hospital administrator will do the cutting rather than the surgeon.

Would that be something to whine about?

Regards

J.R.

[itsahoot]

Bump

Rummy will be the guest on Fox News Sunday, with Tony Snow, maybe he will answer this question. I am sure Tony will ask about it.

[185JHP]

Schemers, scammers, clique-and-claquemeisters are offended by Don's straight-arrow truthtelling and probity. His obvious character hurts and scares them - what if it starts to spread?

[FRgal4u]

and you watch the spin from Rumsfeld -

oh, it is not my plan, it is Tommy Franks' plan..and the plan has been vetted for 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 different times thru all the top commanders, so it is really not my plan...

if this War goes badly, will we here the spin from GWB that this not my war, it is Rumsfeld/Powell/Blair's war, and this war idea has been vetted thru al our coalition countries (50+ to be told) for 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 different times, so it isn't really my War...


spin spin spin...Klintonites spin, and so will everybody else...

the fact remains is Rummy vastly under-estimated his foe in this campaign, he thinks the iraqis will just fold and give up and never fought for their "motherland" because they all hate saddam so much...oh well, we all know how much they hate saddam, don't we...look at "ambush alley" and you shall find the answer..

Pray for our troops and our country...

[WOSG]

Right. Rumsfeld's instincts are correct, but it is so easy to monday morning Qback any decision or plan.

What is funny is how small the chinks are in the armor of this war plan.

If ANYONE has a war plan to defeat saddam in 7 days or less ... I'D LIKE TO SEE IT!

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Maybe when you go in for your coronary bypass the hospital administrator will do the cutting rather than the surgeon.

Interesting analogy and one that I wouldn't dispute. However, my view is that the entire "micro-management" charge is without merit and stems from the same group in the Pentagon who is resisting the transformation process that Rumsfeld is leading. I am certain there are many in the Pentagon who disagree with the smaller, lighter, and more nimble 21st century military that Rumsfeld is pushing for, and these naysayers would be more than willing to manufacture stories for a willing media in search of a quagmire.

Just an opinion.

[Brian Allen]

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

Woe is me.

The sky will certainly soon fall.

Bring back the twin traitors, Wee-Willies Cohen-Perry.

Bring back Madandnotat Allbright.

Less Aspin, perhaps?

NOT!

[AmericanVictory]

They know that as long as he is making decisions we may win, a result which they all fear who wish to betray Iraq as they betrayed South Vietnam.