The Donald Rumsfeld I know isn't the one you know

St. Paul Pioneer Press ^ | Nov. 12, 2006 | Douglas J. Feith

[merry10]

ping read later

[Pukin Dog]

Thank you for the post.

Many forget that after Iraq was invaded under the watchful eye of the embedded media, Rummy was considered a rockstar, and some wanted him to be considered for the Presidency.

Rummy's only crime was to be the smartest guy in the room.

[goldstategop]

Don Rumsfeld goes the bum's rush because he sought to transform the U.S military into a post-Cold War institution. Actually a small force did a magnificient in Iraq. We accomplished in three weeks of the war with a force less than a third the size we deployed in Desert Storm. The Democrats opposed that war too just like they opposed Operation Iraqi Freedom. The war's aftermath is not Rumsfeld's fault. We had to strike a balance between doing too much and doing too little. None of Rumsfeld's critics have ever stated how they would have done things there differently. I think in retrospect, Rumsfeld fell because he was just too honest. Its not a quality that commands much respect in contemporary Washington.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[clyde asbury]

bttt

[SteamShovel]

The Donald Rumsfeld I know isn't the one you know

All this crap about Rumsfeld "not listening to his Generals" is BS. Rumsfeld is a very intelligent man doing what he thinks is right. It's his job. What the press means is that he doesn't succumb to the opinions of some of the Generals who think like liberals do. That is my opinion. Rumsfeld is like Bolton. mischaracterized and disrespected for doing his job.

[GBA]

History will remember him well, long after we've forgotten his poll driven critics. He seems to be a lot like Churchill in that he did what needed to be done and then was discarded when the politics of the moment changed.

[SquirrelKing]

Rummy's only crime was to be the smartest guy in the room.

And how.

[Valin]

Something I recall George Will saying when Don Rumsfeld became Sec. Def. (I paraphrase) Don Rumsfeld is Washington's worst nightmare, a 70 year old rich man who's not looking for the next job.

He will be missed, but I've a sneaking suspection that we've not heard the last of Rummy.

[Gondring]

This should have been out there before the election!

But still, it seems to miss a point...

Rumsfeld has been attacked for insisting that troop levels for the Iraq operation be kept low, supposedly out of ideology and contrary to the advice of the military. What I saw, however, was that Rumsfeld questioned standard military recommendations for "overwhelming force." He asked if such force was necessary for the mission.

There wasn't just one "Iraq operation"... Secretary Rumsfeld made the error that so many have done through history--he failed to recognize a change in conditions that required a change in response. If his generals were not realizing this, then they are also the problem.

In fact, that's one of the unaddressed problems our military has. As a product of the Clintonian 90s, we have a very politicized and managerial military that inhibits the proper flow of information and response along the chain of command. The frustration is felt by so many small-unit commanders, and it's a shame that Secretary Rumsfeld was unable to get beyond this and see the real needs in Iraq.

He was the right man for transforming our offensive and "conventional" armed forces, but not the right man for understanding the current phase of operations in Iraq.

[Beth528]

This is a great article from someone who knew the great man..I think the whole country should read this..what an amazing man..

[Silly]

Superb article. Thanks for sharing it.

Rumsfeld's fierce intelligence and intellectual honesty could be seen right away during his "rock star" press briefings for the war in Afghanistan.

The only reason he was trashed by the press was because he was right, everyone knew he was right, and as a credit to our military and our nation, this man was a very real threat to liberalism.

Can you imagine having him as a dad or uncle? How great would THAT be?!

[Tannerone]

The best and brightest leaders in government are always beat on and driven out. It seems they (the best) make the majority of incompetents look even more incompetent.

The State dept. for example is nothing buy rotting OLD wood. S.D. has probably not had a new idea since 1901 and would die of heart failure if someone suggested another course like "tell it like it is"!

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Rummy was hired to restructure the military, like he had done the first time he was Sec. of Defense. For anyone to remain surprised by his decisions and conclusions it must mean that they were not paying attention when Bush first put him in the office, again. Did no one examine his record?

[James Ewell Brown Stuart]

How do you know that he failed to recognize a change in conditions that required a change of response. Is it just guess work on your part. How do you know he failed to get beyond it.

I'm asking seriously...

[James Ewell Brown Stuart]

Thought you might enjoy this article.

[Prost1]

I have finished reading "Cobra II". It does not paint a favorable picture. However, its omissions are quite apparent.

The Zinni plan, later put forward (not pushed) by Shinsheki was for over 400,000. No mention of post-Iraq appears. No mention of securing the countless WMD sites appear. No mention of sectarian violence and revenge killings appear.

Just 400,000 to overrun Iraq. Why? WMD. How many were they forecasting to die? I don't recall them reporting but I would guess 10-15% or between 40,000-60,000. Then one needs the cemetary troops and logistics to evacuate the wounded and dead. And, they still need the logistics to prosecute the conflict.

Rumsfeld did it with a lot less. And there were the same oversights WRT aftermath as at any previous sanctimonious time. Cobra II points out that Rumsfeld and Franks overlooked the Saddam Fedayeen, who turned out to be the most tenacious fighters (according to the book).

Until we overthrew Baghdad, no one could know how the various factions would react. Many would have thought the regulars would have dispensed with the Foreign fighters.

And of course, Bremer, by disbanding all units and officials did not help matters. If any blemish is to be found on Rumsfeld record, it would be the Bremer authority (imo - I thought Bremer was a Colin Powell plant).

[hosepipe]

Only thing Rummy missed is that ANY democrat military officer is a security risk..
If they had any sense they wouldn't even be a democrat...

[bd476]

This is a great article. The writer presents the Donald Rumsfeld I saw on the News, and the Donald Rumsfeld I hoped was working for our country. It's good to know that my perception of Donald Rumsfeld was right. He is a good man.

[Jo Nuvark]

[...December 2002, Haynes, brought Rumsfeld news that (snip) questioned the legality of the additional (interrogation) techniques. Rumsfeld (snip) in short order directed Haynes to revoke the authority for the new techniques. ... the cruel and sexually bizarre behavior at Abu Ghraib occurred many months later...]

The media will ignore this.

Great Post!