Rumsfeld Critics Tread A Line Rarely Crossed

The Tampa Tribune ^ | Apr 16, 2006 | SCOTT SHANE The New York Times

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

WASHINGTON - Last week, as the chorus of retired generals calling for Donald Rumsfeld's resignation grew larger and louder, Marine Gen. Peter Pace stood beside the defense secretary and did what some experts say is his military duty.

"As far as Pete Pace is concerned, this country is exceptionally well-served by the man standing on my left," Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon.

[PhiKapMom]

I had no use for Clinton generals when they were on active duty and I have no use for them now! We are at WAR and they are undermining the Secretary of Defense.

Those generals need recalled to active duty IMHO and then read the riot act for their actions to undermine the Department of Defense and its leader and their former boss. They make me sick!

[CWOJackson]

"...the chorus of retired generals calling for...onslaught of attacks..."

Six does not a chorus make, nor an onslaught. In fact, there are now more retired general officers speaking out in defense of the Secretary then against. But back to this chorus and onslaught:

In the Department of Defense there are:

34 - four star generals/admirals

124 - three star generals/admirals

278 - two star generals/admirals

439 - one star generals/admirals

Throw in the U.S. Coast Guard and you have 900 generals and admirals on active duty today. Roughly 15-20% of these flag officers retires each year.

Even a conservative low end estimate is that over 800 generals, many with service in Afghanistan and Iraq, have retired on Secretary Rumsfeld's watch. And they call six a chorus and onslaught?

[CWOJackson]

Correction: make that retired generals AND ADMIRALS.

[wizardoz]

Power struggle, undertaken by people who don't see any danger serious enough to distract them from their goal of removing conservatives from high positions.

[jazusamo]

It seems the media is now going to attack General Pace because it's his duty to speak up for the SecDef. Is this paper a liberal rag like the Slimes or WaPo?

[tobyhill]

If I'm recalling correctly, Zinni had some contemptuous words about Rumsfeld and the war planning while he was active. He claimed something about always going after the middle-east to protect the Jews.

[CWOJackson]

One thing to keep in mind with Zinni, he's the bastard that engineered the USS Cole disaster then urged the White House not to take any sanctions against Pakistan, where the bombers had come from.

When he retired he took up a very lucrative position with a communications firm with a major contract...in Pakistan.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Its a New York Times writer....

[jazusamo]

Thanks, completely missed it.

[tobyhill]

I stand corrected, he was actually retired when he spoke about Rumsfeld so whatever he said about Rumsfeld is just Freedom of Speech now.

[NormsRevenge]

Agreed.

Time for them to just fade away

[downtownconservative]

These Generals certainly could be recalled under the provisions of the UCMJ. Once appointed an officer in the military, further service is always at the discretion and pleasure of congress and the President.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See this too from the Scotsman in Scotland ( The Generals are mentioned and the Bush Administration is called discredited ):

Quagmire and crisis ~ Iran and the West

[CWOJackson]

"Once appointed an officer in the military, further service is always at the discretion and pleasure of congress and the President."

Yes and no.

An officer who resigns his/her commission, and has no remaining service obligation of their original 8 years active/reserve, is free and clear.

In the case of these generals, they are retired which does make then eligible for recall to active duty.

[CWOJackson]

Cripes...I'm throwing out my instant oatmeal in the morning. It's apparent that it can cause hallucinations.

[BIGLOOK]

General Anthony Zinni was commander of CentCom during the Clinton years. His predecessor was General "Stormin" Norman Schwartzkopf and his successor, General Tommy Franks.

Just a bit of perspective, Chief. (I know you know this.) It's for the edification of others and enhances your comments.

[oldenuff2no]

Out of nearly a thousand flag officers a few socialists have taken revenge by shooting off their mouths. The military has been changed radically. There are always going to be a few who resist change.
Don't forget that the same leadership they criticize lead them in the most effective war in the history of the world. I think that Rumsfield's record on the war screams of success as these sore retired losers whine for a few more minutes in the limelight.

[CWOJackson]

Still well worth pointing out. Thanks.

[tobyhill]

Off the subject a bit. While I was running a search of Zinni I ran across an antiwar site called none other than antiwar. (you know what) and in the donate column it states that all donations are tax deductible. Is this possible for a privately owned site?