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THE SHAMEFUL CRITICISM OF RUMSFELD
To The Point ^ | Thursday, December 16, 2004 | Jack Kelly

Posted on 12/18/2004 8:47:17 PM PST by 26lemoncharlie

[I am so glad Jack Kelly wrote this defense of Donald Rumsfeld – and I am so disgusted at the sudden torrent of Republican criticism of him. Donald Rumsfeld is one of the most heroic figures in the world today, and America is fortunate in the extreme to have him as Secretary of Defense.

The temerity of Clueless Bill Kristol of the Weekly Standard, professional jerk Senator John McCain, and Senator Trent “Vacant” Lott, calling for him to resign is squalid and shameful. Secretary Rumsfeld deserves our deepest appreciation, admiration, and support. He certainly has that from the vast majority of American soldiers in Iraq.

As evidence, I am appending at the end of Jack Kelly’s column, a letter we received from First Sergeant Timmy Rikard serving in Iraq, and who was present when Rummy spoke to the troops there. Every American needs to read Sgt. Rikard’s letter and understand how the liberal media totally distorts what the troops think of their Secretary – most especially Kristol, McCain, Lott and their ilk.– JW]

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld doesn't lack for critics. But his critics soften lack sound judgment. Rumsfeld long has been a punching bag for Democrats and journalists, who wish we had not gone to war with Iraq at all. Lately they have been joined by right-wingers who want someone to blame because we haven't won yet.

The most recent spate of Rumsfeld bashing was triggered when a reserve soldier asked him why his unit had to scrounge for armor to put on its humvees and trucks. Rumsfeld was "passing the buck" when he indicated it was the Army's responsibility to put Specialist Thomas Wilson in an armored truck, said the Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol in a snarky editorial, and "arrogant" when he told Wilson that "you have to go to war with the Army you have, not the one you'd like to have."

Does Kristol think there are no generals in the Army competent enough to whom to delegate responsibility for putting armor on Army vehicles? Is Rumsfeld derelict because he himself isn't welding rivets at the Hess-O'Gara plant outside Cincinnati?

The real burr under Kristol's saddle is that Rumsfeld and then CENTCOM commander Gen. Tommy Franks attacked Iraq with what he thinks were too few troops. This complaint is shared by many who have more military experience than Kristol, which is zero. Sen. John McCain declared he has "no confidence" in Rumsfeld. But the complaint is mostly bovine excrement.

U.S. and British troops swiftly defeated the Iraqi forces, with very few casualties. This would have been true even if some of the Republican Guard formations which mysteriously melted away had stood and fought. The invasion force would have been larger had Turkey not forbidden the 4thInfantry Division to stage from its territory. Kuwait's ports are not large enough to sustain a (much) larger buildup. Trying to build up a larger force -- which was (obviously) not necessary for victory -- would have meant postponing the invasion to the fall of 2003. That would not have been a good idea.

Another frequent complaint -- that the U.S. should not have abolished the Iraqi army -- is entirely excrementitious. To begin with, there was no Iraqi army to keep on hand for peacekeeping. The poorly paid and horribly treated Shia conscripts all had deserted. Loyal Sunnis in the Republican Guard had left to prepare for guerrilla war against the Americans. We couldn't trust Saddam's officer corps, and if we had tried to turn peacekeeping over to them, we'd have incurred the enmity of the Shia and the Kurds, together 80 percent of Iraq's population. We had no choice but to rebuild the military and police from scratch.

America made a few big and many small mistakes in Iraq, as we have in every war we have ever fought. But the biggest mistakes were intelligence failures, for which the CIA is far more to blame than is the Pentagon.

The CIA gets more grief than it should about the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Every other Western intelligence service, and most of Saddam's generals thought Saddam had such weapons, so it is not unreasonable that the CIA would think so, too. What was really bad was the CIA's inability to detect that Saddam had a plan for protracted guerrilla war. Plans for the occupation would have been much different had this been known.

The failure to detect Saddam's plan for protracted guerrilla war was largely responsible for the failure to have more peacekeeping troops. Former Army chief of staff Eric Shinseki and others had warned that roughly twice as many as we had on hand were required, even if a guerrilla war hadn't been in the offing. But it isn't Rumsfeld's fault that the Army is too small to provide many more troops – we can thank the Clinton administration for that.

Jack Kelly is a former Marine and Green Beret and a former deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force in the Reagan administration. He is national security writer for the Pittsburgh (Pa.) Post-Gazette.

An Open Letter from US Army 1st Sgt. Timmy Rikard:

This is a shotgun blast response to the media reports on Secretary Rumsfeld's visit to our Camp. I was fortunate enough to be there and even shake the man's hand. When the media reports were released concerning the event, I could not believe what I saw and heard. There are over 12,000 troops on our base. Only 2,000 or so had the opportunity to attend the gathering and I can tell you, those were hotly contested seats.

Not as the media would have you believe, so we could voice our displeasure, but rather to have the opportunity to see and hear the man we admire. Mr. Secretary spoke for 10 minutes or so on the war in Iraq and what freedom meant to the people of Afghanistan. He was there for the recent elections and shared his wonderful insight. After his prepared remarks he opened up the floor for questions and made it very clear that nothing was off limits.

Folks, this is extremely unusual for a dignitary to do. Also, we as leaders were instructed to not screen our soldiers’ questions. They were to be honest and from the heart. Mr. Rumsfeld fielded a number of questions, took down notes for the ones he did not have answers to and genuinely enjoyed talking to the soldiers. Afterward, he spent over an hour with the enthusiastic troops who literally mobbed him and would not let him leave. He smiled for all, shook hands and had pictures taken. It ended only when his security forced us away. He was applauded, he was given a standing ovation, and he was loved.

He stood there like a professional, like a man, and he took the heat because that's what leaders do. And yet somehow, the American media turned that wonderful event into a "disgruntled troops meet with Secretary Rumsfeld" headline. Incredible. The morale is high, the equipment is good and improving daily. Disregard what you read and hear from the media and trust in the American fighting men and women to do the right thing. We have excellent leadership and are doing what we signed up to do.

1SG Timmy Rikard


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: armor; armorgate; criticism; jackkelly; rumsfeld; rumsfield
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1 posted on 12/18/2004 8:47:18 PM PST by 26lemoncharlie
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To: 26lemoncharlie

It's the nature of our times that good, courageous men will be villified. Media pronouncements to the contrary, good is winning.


2 posted on 12/18/2004 8:55:02 PM PST by Rennes Templar ("The future ain't what it used to be".........Yogi Berra)
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To: 26lemoncharlie

Out of all the people in Washington, Donald Rumsfeld is probably the only one who is not working at his job for a his next job advancement. He certainly doesn't need the crap he's getting. He is doing the job because it needs to be done. I'd say he is a true stateman.


3 posted on 12/18/2004 9:06:49 PM PST by Slyfox
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To: 26lemoncharlie
Once again the media and politicians put themselves in the spotlight as self-appointed experts. The last time I looked none of the worthies have spent any time whatever exposed to enemy fire and put to test the equipment our military have been issued. McCain is the only one who has been in harms way and that lo these many years ago. If memory serves, we just laid to rest one "expert" who hoped to ride into the White House on his real and imagined military history.

Ask the troops. The letter speaks volumns. Disregard the blather of ambitious politicians and media "experts."

4 posted on 12/18/2004 9:07:37 PM PST by Adrastus (I am locked and loaded with a clear field of fire.)
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To: 26lemoncharlie

And .. none of us should be surprised Kristol has joined the McCain train - after all - wasn't Kristol involved with McCain's first campaign ..?? I think we will be seeing more and more of the return of the snotty comments from Kristol - at least until McCain is beaten to a pulp again (not physically - of course) but in the primaries for 2008.


5 posted on 12/18/2004 9:10:56 PM PST by CyberAnt (Where are the dem supporters? - try the trash cans in back of the abortion clinics.)
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To: 26lemoncharlie
Well, I have read Rummy's resume. It will blow yours, or anyone else's mind. It is, well, mind boggling. The man has so much experience, depth, experience and gravitas. He's not in this "game" for the money. He LOVES his country. He's 72 years old, and still smart as a tack. BTW, I wanted Rummy as Prez in 2000. W has a terrific cabinet; certainlty beats the Clinton bunch of bozos. Think back, y'all.

Cheers, and Merry CHRISTmas! Get those red bows and ribbons on your doors and windows. We have a lighted nativity on our front lawn.

6 posted on 12/18/2004 9:11:59 PM PST by Cobra64 (Babes should wear Bullet Bras - www.BulletBras.net)
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To: 26lemoncharlie

I don't give a damn what the liberals and the RINOs think of Rumsfeld. I think he's doing an outstanding job.


7 posted on 12/18/2004 9:12:23 PM PST by MisterRepublican ("I must go. I must be elusive.")
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To: Slyfox
I'd say he is a true stateman. Better than that, a true American.
8 posted on 12/18/2004 9:13:32 PM PST by Cobra64 (Babes should wear Bullet Bras - www.BulletBras.net)
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To: 26lemoncharlie
PROFESSIONAL JERK
SENATOR JOHN McDAIN


WARNING: PROFESSIONAL JERK
DO NOT ATTEMPT

9 posted on 12/18/2004 9:15:12 PM PST by PhilDragoo (Hitlery: das Butch von Buchenvald)
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To: 26lemoncharlie
As an aside, I had the honor and privilege of a very close association with Adm. "BlackJack" McCain, Senator McCain's father, both when the Admiral was our UN Military Rep -- and later, when he was CincPac (1971-73).

The Admiral would be turning in his grave were he to observe his son displaying such craven hypocrisy and self-serving debasement of Secretary Rumsfeld -- and a fellow Naval Aviator, to boot.

I am so ashamed of John McCain's performance; and hold him in total contempt...along with Warner, Hagel, Snow, and Lott. What a despicable gaggle of second-rate pols!
10 posted on 12/18/2004 9:18:01 PM PST by dk/coro
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To: 26lemoncharlie

Thank you for posting this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


11 posted on 12/18/2004 9:22:37 PM PST by Proud Conservative2 (We have to be held accountable for our actions.)
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To: 26lemoncharlie
Here's all you (and Savage, and Lott, and all you other fair-weather Repubs) need to know about armorgate (from Powerline):

This press conference by Major General Stephen Speakes and several other officers, which took place on Wednesday, is worth reading in its entirety. The purpose of the press conference was to address the issue of "un-armored" vehicles that was raised by a National Guardsman in a question directed to Donald Rumsfeld a week or so ago. The overall impression I get is that the Army is responding appropriately to the risks posed by improvised explosive devices, and there is basically no story here.

The facts regarding the Guardsman's own unit also appear to be quite different from what has been reported:

The first point is that you'll recollect that one of the questions was the status of the 278 ACR; in other words, the date that we had the visit by the secretary of Defense, we had a question about their up-armoring status. When the question was asked, 20 vehicles remained to be up-armored at that point. We completed those 20 vehicles in the next day. And so over 800 vehicles from the 278 ACR were up-armored, and they are a part now of their total force that is operating up in Iraq.

Q On the 278th, can you repeat this? At the time the question was asked, the planted question, the unit had 784 of its 804 vehicles armored?

GEN. SPEAKES: Here is the overall solution that you see. And what we've had to do is -- the theater had to take care of 830 total vehicles. So this shows you the calculus that was used. Up north in Iraq, they drew 119 up-armored humvees from what we call stay-behind equipment. That is equipment from a force that was already up there. We went ahead and applied 38 add-on armor kits to piece of equipment they deployed over on a ship. They also had down in Kuwait 214 stay- behind equipment pieces that were add-on armor kits. And then over here they had 459 pieces of equipment that were given level-three protection. And so when you put all this together, that comes up with 830.

Q At the time of the question -- summarize this, now -- that unit that the kid was complaining about was mostly armored?

GEN. SPEAKES: Yes. In other words, we completed all the armoring within 24 hours of the time the question was asked.

Q If he hadn't asked that question, would the up-armoring have been accomplished within 24 hours?

GEN. SPEAKES: Yes. This was already an existing program.

It is remarkable that many Democrats are demanding that Rumsfeld resign over this teapot tempest.

12 posted on 12/18/2004 9:23:29 PM PST by Royal Wulff
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To: 26lemoncharlie; OXENinFLA
Does Kristol think there are no generals in the Army competent enough to whom to delegate responsibility for putting armor on Army vehicles? Is Rumsfeld derelict because he himself isn't welding rivets at the Hess-O'Gara plant outside Cincinnati?

That still wouldn't make them happy

13 posted on 12/18/2004 9:25:03 PM PST by Mo1 (Should be called Oil for Fraud and not Oil for Food)
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To: CyberAnt

John IS aHero and its' TIME for him to retire quietly! As a Hero!


14 posted on 12/18/2004 9:25:51 PM PST by 26lemoncharlie (Defending America)
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To: 26lemoncharlie
Lately they have been joined by right-wingers who want someone to blame because we haven't won yet.

Really? Who are these right wingers?

The temerity of Clueless Bill Kristol of the Weekly Standard, professional jerk Senator John McCain, and Senator Trent “Vacant” Lott,

These are right wingers? No. They are Republicans but they are not right wingers. I like all 3 men to some degree but they are wrong about Rummy.

15 posted on 12/18/2004 9:25:53 PM PST by Once-Ler ("He lives in Madison, WI. No wonder he thinks Bush is a conservative!")
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To: 26lemoncharlie

Well .. if he's your hero, that's fine .. but he's not my idea of a hero.


16 posted on 12/18/2004 11:16:51 PM PST by CyberAnt (Where are the dem supporters? - try the trash cans in back of the abortion clinics.)
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To: 26lemoncharlie

I'm trying to decide over what I should be more incredulous: the fact that anyone would attack Rumsfeld over this "Humvee Armor" issue, or the fact that some Republicans are actually taking it seriously. It's such an obvious leftist attack tactic (the "leftists" unfortunately including, as usual, the deranged, egomaniacal Senator McPain) that one would expect it to just be ignored - and it *will* blow over soon, as is the case with all of the impotent, pathetic forays by the leftist media of late.

Please, liberals. Abu Ghraib is dead, and there's no substitute on the horizon. Get over it. You're boring. Go perform a Wiccan sacrifice to get yourselves a new issue. Or something...


17 posted on 12/18/2004 11:30:28 PM PST by fire_eye (Socialism is the opiate of academia.)
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To: 26lemoncharlie

John McCain missed that bus.


18 posted on 12/19/2004 1:40:46 AM PST by malia (do a FR search on "Fallujah battle inflicted crippling defeat on terrorists")
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To: 26lemoncharlie
"....Senator Trent “Vacant” Lott....."

Completely lacking in huevos as well! LOL!!

19 posted on 12/19/2004 1:58:20 AM PST by nightdriver
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To: 26lemoncharlie

Wonderful article...Thanks for posting!


20 posted on 12/19/2004 4:18:45 AM PST by lainde
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