Rumsfeld to personally sign all condolence letters (includes statement by Rumsfeld)

Stars and Stripes ^ | December 17, 2004 | Leo Shane III,

[Destro]

Uninformed because I don't know a radio personality? Are you kidding me? Radio "personality" is one step above circus clown in the entertainment ladder.

[brazzaville]

"You only cited someone on the radio."

I didn't cite anyone, you did that and you used questionable sources.

Stars and Stripe is not a media outlet of the military. I wouldn't call it part of the MSM but I will say that it is staffed by the same sort of liberal journalists that you find in the MSM and it is not a supporter of the Administration's war effort.

Hackworth is not a supporter either but, since he was once a warrior I cut him a little more slack than I do the journalists. No, I don't. He attempts to undermine the nation's leaders in time of war while portraying himself as a friend to the soldier. Hack is a bitter old man who longs for lost glory.

Michael Frazier

[Destro]

Stars and Stripes is not credible???? So you only accept info from the supporters of the admin? Is there an American version of Pravda you would feel comfortable with? Stars and Stripes is not credible????

[brazzaville]

"Radio "personality" is one step above circus clown in the entertainment ladder."

Shouldn't that be 'on' the entertainment ladder?

Destro, you use an interesting technique for spreading manure. You define Monica Crowley as a radio personality then demean anyone who fits that definition. By the way, isn't she Dr. Crowley? I believe she has been active in Republican administrations for years but that doesn't really mean much, does it. The talk shows are full of leftover politicos with opinions.

Michael Frazier

[Destro]

yea, the I and O keys are next to each other on the keyboard. What are you a proofreader by profession?

What is she a doctor of? I never heard of her. I love radio people but its a medium that is supported by herbal hair loss vitamins and male enhancement pills and beer ads at 9 am.

[brazzaville]

Stars and Stripes is a questionable source when the war is involved. The author of the piece was not a military journalist and the article was written to attack rather than to inform.

"Is there an American version of Pravda you would feel more comfortable with?"

Actually, I get most of my news here on FreeRepublic. Some of it is of value, some is tripe. As a free American I get to decide what to believe. Are you a free American?

Michael

[johnmilken]

Signing a few letters every day could be done in a couple of minutes - he could do it at his stand-up desk while having his morning coffee.

[brazzaville]

I actually was a proof reader for a school paper once, but, no, I was just being snide. I would have thought you would have understood that.

Hmm, I'm not sure but I believe Dr. Crowley holds a degree in international relations.

Michael Frazier

[johnmilken]

"In the military, we use whatever means are available to perform the required task at minimum cost to life, blood, and treasure. Period."

Blood and treasure expended too much on rounding up a toothless old dog while the real enemies are being pursued with less than the minimum required.

[Wolfstar]

But several families of troops killed overseas said they were sure the notes they received had not been signed by hand, and said they were angry that Rumsfeld was not paying attention to their loss.

Good lord! There was a time when the best a family could hope for was a telegram from the War (later Defense) Dept. It is entirely possible to be deeply supportive of and sympathetic to the families of our troops (and those who lost loved ones on 9/11, and the shuttle, and the hurricanes, etc., etc., etc.), and yet to also be darned sick and tired of just how whiny our society has become.

[JCBurton]

“I have directed that in the future I sign each letter,” he said in the statement.

But why would he agree to suddenly sign letters if - as some here have suggested - there was nothing wrong with him NOT doing it?

[johnmilken]

Mission NOT Accomplished? C'mon...we won 18 months ago. Perhaps the insurgency could have been nipped in the bud if, in the glow of victory, lawlessness was not allowed to make the US soldiers on the ground look weak and indecisive. Where are we now compared to 18 months ago? Are we any happier in Iraq? The right way to use American power is not to let it fly out of your hands like soap in the bath.

[Wolfstar]

I hear that Lott is now saying Rumsfeld should resign.

What's really going on with a number of Republicans on the Hill is that they are pushing to see just how far they can go with (and get from) the President this term. Some of them are also test-driving possible presidential runs themselves in '08. Remember four years ago when Jeffords and some of the other liberal Republicans pulled similar crap. In the end, Jeffords wound up cutting his own political throat.

[JCBurton]

Signing 1,300 letters over 18 months is a little different than 200-300 per day during WWII.

[johnmilken]

Hear hear, and in a worse state than when we began and after such tremendous expense. Can anyone be reading the headlines from Iraq and not get the sense that this is slipping ever further into a nightmare of our own design and choosing? That said, I'd like to see more interviews with troops on the ground with regard to Rumsfield's job performance. If they're happy, then I guess we should be too.

[johnmilken]

"You are not an occupying power until you have the formal surrender from the other side. Until then you are merely an invader. That is international law you consumate stupid ass."

American was / is [was there a formal surrender?] an invader? Not a liberator? I don't think you are strengthening your position by appealing to international law.

[bubman]

Doubia's lining up Wolfowitz for the top job. If you thought the entrenched bureaucracy hates Rumsfeld, wait till the Wolf comes in. I personally would like to see Richard Pearl in the top job.

[CheneyChick]

The man does have a day job, in case you forgot.

I'm sorry, but that is such a lame response. These letters are on behalf of folks who will never have a day job again.

It is the least Rumsfeld could do. He's a great guy and is doing a great job, but he's not perfect. He blew it, big time, on this one.

CC

[elhombrelibre]

People used to get a telegram to tell them their loved one had been killed in action. If I'm killed over there, I don't want Rummy wasting time signing a letter to my wife when he doesn't even know me. This is a bogus issue designed to chip away at the SOD by people who despise him. Since when was the Sec of Def required to do this? Did they do it during the Clinton years, say, when Aspen screwed up Somalia? How about the Civil War? When we used to lose thousands in a single battle or when we lost thousands when a ship was sunk we were more serious. Kill the enemy was our solution. Now it's bog down the Sec of Def in the proper ettiquette of the RIP card.

[AirBorn]

I will repeat again, like others here.

ANY letters of Condolences were not sent out unitl AFTER there was a first, personal contact made to any family members.

Mr. Rumsfield had, left out by all liberal media, had before the Afghanistan and Iraq invasion, had visited more wounded soldiers personally in hospitals than Clinton, Carter, or any New York Representative had in their administrations.

Since the invasion, Mr. Rumsfield had personally visited wounded soldiers in Hosptials here and abroad than in all 8 years of the Clinton Administration.

Mr. Clinton turned down attending a memorial openning for the soldiers lost in the Somalia Black Hawk incident as to attend a memorial for United Nations peacekeepers. Which also makes me wonder how many other Memorials for those in the World Trade Towers, African Marine Barrick bombings, and the Cole bombing.

Chris