Posted on 04/13/2006 3:55:30 PM PDT by jmc1969
The commander who led the elite 82nd Airborne Division during its mission in Iraq has joined the chorus of retired generals calling on Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to leave the Pentagon.
"I really believe that we need a new secretary of defense because Secretary Rumsfeld carries way too much baggage with him," retired Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack told CNN's Barbara Starr on Thursday.
He also suggested other changes among the top brass at the Pentagon.
"I think we need senior military leaders who understand the principles of war and apply them ruthlessly, and when the time comes, they need to call it like it is,".
"Specifically, I feel he has micromanaged the generals who are leading our forces there," Swannack said in the telephone interview.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
I could go along with this.
You and me both
You mean some members of the military are Demorats? And they place party above country? I never heard of such a thing!
SecDef Rumsfeld allows completely for this and Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack knows it -
This is a completely below the belt shot at the SecDef ...and speaks volumes about Swannack -
Hey 82nd, are those bowling alleys done yet in Stan?? - Great, you'll come along now (thanks).
SecDef Rumsfeld is doing one hell of a job and hard charging in the process. When one does this, he is going to ruffle some feathers and cause some people to get their feelings hurt.
It is obvious there are a number of spiteful ex-Gen's who fall into the above category. Nothing more, nothing less.
Maybe, just maybe, some of them have a point. I've heard complaints from ex-military friends of mine about how Rumsfeld has weakened the military with his decisions. These are hardcore gung ho conservatives saying this too.
You gotta remember that Rumsfeld is 'old warfare' - bomb, invade and occupy. He has a new wrinkle - do it on the cheap with equipment and manpower. WW II there were enough troops to completely conquer, occupy and control [thank you draftees].
I wonder who has spoken with these retired Generals.
The problem the administation is going to have is there probably are enough generals that hate Rumsfeld to have a new one come out every day until the November election. I don't think all of them are going to speak out, but alot will and more then enough to put incredible political pain on the White House.
What is going on here?
Your post was SO good, I had to re-post it. Yah...IMAGINE!
It's typically the ones that make the most noise about change, that seem to not be able to deal with change, even if the change...is for the better.
Itchy old Generals
Almost no matter what the facts are, Rumsfeld should stay in office. The President should not allow his staff members to be unseated under fire. It happened with Card, and, so far, that one hasn't seemed to hurt too much, but I cringed at the time. My thought is, even if you have a poorly performing staff member (which I do not say about either Card or Rumsfeld), when you are under unrelenting assault from your political enemies, you do not respond to their criticisms about your staff by firing them. In the worst case, you can leave the target in office and transfer his functions to others. Seeming to give in to the critics only strengthens their bloodlust for more.
Commnader: "Are you new to the infantry, Maj.?"
Maj: "Yes, sir. Come over from supply."
Cmdr: "Were you good at that?"
Maj: "Yes, sir!"
Cmdr: "Well, then, stick to it. Because you're a walking clusterf**k as an infantry officer! This is a Marine amphibious unit, Major! MY MEN ARE HARD CHARGERS! (SecDef Donald Rumsfeld) took a group of young fire-pi$$ers, exercised some personal initiative, and KICKED ASS!"
/"Heartbreak Ridge"
GREAT question!
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