War of the Words (Op-Ed Piece by Donald Rumsfeld)

Wall Street Journal ^ | July 18, 2005 | Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld

[RWR8189]

Every conflict in history has seen its share of rumor, propaganda and misinformation. The "yellow journalism" that helped launch the Spanish-American War and the infamous radio broadcasts of "Tokyo Rose" during World War II come to mind. But the information technology of the 21st century has made waging an ideological global struggle against extremism particularly complex. Decision makers, the media and the public at large will need to come to terms with the effect of these new realities. The old adage that "A lie can be half-way around the world before truth has its boots on" becomes doubly true with today's technology.

But, it must be noted, the availability of new communications media can inform and illuminate as well as lead to new challenges. I think of how much has changed just in my lifetime. In earlier wars, Americans, for the most part, were limited to a few definitive news sources -- Edward R. Murrow during World War II, for example, or Walter Cronkite during Vietnam -- to get information that had been packaged and approved for presentation to the public.

Think of all the new doors that since have been opened. Today we have multiple global-satellite-television networks; 24-hour news coverage; dozens of domestic and international television channels devoted to news, commentary and analysis; talk radio; bloggers and the Internet; and live coverage of terrorist attacks, disasters and combat operations.

Consider a few of the other changes we are experiencing today. In previous wars, right up through Operation Desert Storm in 1991, families and loved ones communicated with the troops using what is now dismissively referred to as "snail mail." Letters often took weeks to reach their destination. Today, email, cell phones and digital cameras give every citizen and soldier global reach near instantaneously. Something that is happening, or that

[ran15]

Great points by Rummy. I like how he doesn't want to try to stop the new opening of information through technologies, but instead wants to work on ways to get their message across in the new environment.

Many leaders throughout time have tried to fight against new technology, but it always eventually leads to their own defeat.

[Mo1]

FYI

[nopardons]

Thanks for the ping! :-)

[spinestein]

[Many leaders throughout time have tried to fight against new technology, but it always eventually leads to their own defeat.]



The communists who run the Chinese government are about to discover this. :^)

[BigSkyFreeper]

This is a great op-ed piece. Thanks for the ping. :)

[liberallarry]

Oh yeah, Rummy's a smart guy. Whatever his faults, dumb is not one of them.

[defconw]

I heard that Mr. Rumsfeld actually would like to develop a net just for the military so they could communicate by lap top in the field. It would cost a lot, but millions of jobs would be created just in the development.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Hopefully soon.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Could it possibility in the short run, cost a lot, but, it could also cut cost else were in the long run ?

[rlmorel]

The man is one of my personal heroes. I think he is going to go down in history as one of the best, if not the best Secretary of Defense ever to hold the position.

[G.Mason]

Thanks for the post RW.

I had no idea that as a Congressman Donald Rumsfeld co-sponsored the Freedom of Information Act. What a most admirable accomplishment.

[defconw]

Yes, the R&D would be the most costly and the security development, but imagine a soldier in the field with nothing to carry but his weapon and a black berry type device, in total communication at all times? Rumsfeld is looking for the times when all of the military performs more like the Seals and Special ops. The true Army of one. He thinks that more and more military exercises will be covert, especially with terrorism. For an old man he is very forward thinking.

[advance_copy]

This is excellent analysis from Secretary Rumsfeld, good to see.

[harpu]

I especially thought this would be good to add...

"We have also posted increasing amounts of information -- including transcripts of interviews and speeches -- on the Department's Web page (www/Defenselink.mil) to enable the public to inform themselves directly about the military's activities. Following the publicity of allegations of detainee abuse, the Pentagon even declassified and published memoranda pertaining to interrogation techniques and detainee policies."

...for the WSJonline impaired.

[OXENinFLA]

PING!!!!

[iconoclast]

Lastly, government officials must find new and better ways to communicate America's mission abroad. This will mean embracing new ways of engaging people across the world, as the U.S. Information Agency and Radio Free Europe did during the Cold War.

May I suggest you cobble together a better message than "they hate us for our democracy" before you go and spend a lot of money on that, Rummy?

[Jackknife]

Pentagon-Don ping.

[prairiebreeze]

Rumsfeld's main point is that we need an overhaul on our lamestream, anti-American, anti-military media. And he's right.

[prairiebreeze]

BTW, I'd love to know what blogs Rummy reads!

:^)