Disgusting? Then why did Rummy's men set up the conference the way they did? They could have pre-screened the questions.
Maybe they wanted this info to come out about the lack of armor? Or maybe they didn't do their job right to "save" embarrassment for Rumsfeld?
Or maybe someone "higher up" set up Rummy, because he/she wants to force Rumsfeld to retire, while not igniting the wrath of the Rumsfeld coalition.
Think about it.
Pffttt... yah I'm not big on conspiracy theories.
They setup the Q&A the way they did because they DO want to hear the comments and concerns the troops have.
When a reporter made it HIS responsiblity to engeineer the story (ie Find someone that held the beliefe, find someone who was willing to ask face-to-face to Rummy on GlobalTV, find/get the general to call on "his guys", work with the solider on the 'talking points' of his question, coaching him, etc)... THAT is what is disgusting.
Normally the dynamics of the mlitary would mean that although, as I've said, the 'belief' might be more common, but the chance it would 'come up', espically in such Global Public, and espically espically face-to-face with the Sec. of Defense are VERY slim.
If it 'comes up' naturally, it gives the perception that is is common enough that it 'randomly' occured. When it 'comes up' due to a reporter's careful planning and scheming, it SKEWS REALITY.
THAT is DISGUSTING, now you think about it.