Posted on 12/15/2006 3:46:46 PM PST by onyx
"The record of Don Rumsfeld's tenure is clear; … there has been more profound change at the Department of Defense over the past six years than at any time since the department's creation in the late 1940s.”
“On his watch, NATO sent its forces to defend a young democracy in Afghanistan more than 3,000 miles from Europe, the first time NATO has deployed outside the North Atlantic area in the history of the alliance."
“Most importantly, he worked to establish a culture in the Pentagon that rewards innovation and intelligent risk-taking and encourages our military and civilian leaders to challenge established ways of thinking."
"These changes were not easy to make, but Rumsfeld’s determination and leadership led to the best equipped, best trained and most experienced military in the world. “This man knows how to lead, and he did, and the country is better off for it.”
Joyce Rumsfeld, wife of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, embraces General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, after she was presented with a medal in recognition of her service Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, during an Armed Forces Full Honor Review in honor of her husband. Mrs. Lynne Cheney looks on at left. White House photo by Eric Draper
Unfortunately, a lot of people don't seem to realize that his only "qualification" is that he's black. I don't think that's a reason to vote for anyone. Same reason I won't vote for a woman just because I am one.
I love that! Thank you, snugs!!
WOO-HOO!!!!
President George W. Bush, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace laugh as Vice President Dick Cheney makes a joke during his remarks at the Armed Forces Full Honor Review in Honor of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld at the Pentagon, Friday, December 15, 2006. White House photo by David Bohrer
*smiling* I think that one is more for you, Cheney girl. :)
From the VP's speech
"Yet as much as he might push you, Don never demands more of others than he does of himself. I've never worked harder for a boss -- and I've never learned more from one, either. Don is a superb executive who knows how to cut through to an issue at once. He embodies the adage that a statesman should act as a man of thought, and think as a man of action. "Set careful goals," he says, "then do the best job possible, let the flak pass and work toward those goals." He never forgets that we're here not to accumulate titles and honors but to do our jobs. "Public servants," he said, "are paid to serve the American people. Do it well." To his very core Don is a man of rectitude, with a sense of honor that defines him, and a sense of fairness and perspective that has never failed him. "
I agree. I don't vote for Italians or Irish because of my ethnic heritage. I don't vote for women because I am one. And I don't understand the mentality of people who do vote like that.
Should have posted this as well from the VP speech
"For these reasons and more, I have always considered Don Rumsfeld to be the very ideal of a public servant. And thus, those of us who know Don are extremely fortunate to have his friendship, and all that goes with it -- the wisdom, the humor, and the great personal decency of the man. In a lifetime one meets only a few people of such caliber and character. And so my first association with Don Rumsfeld was one of life's great turning points, both professionally and personally. On the professional side: I would not be where I am today, but for the confidence that Don first placed in me those many years ago. And on the personal side: It's enough to say that I have no better friend, and ask for none. "
How wonderful. I TIVO'd the ceremony but have not yet watched it. I will tonight, by myself -- just my kleenex tissue and me.
Yes, Waxman can seem more "moderate" than others, but he's drunk with power, and he has a position where he can make life miserable for the Bush Admin.
My biggest hope is that Lieberman will get disgusted, and switch.
Thank you, snugs. This has turned out to be such an awesome Dose, I just might have to bookmark it. All the wonderful additions by you and others have made it very special.
I don't either. It really disturbs me that there are a lot of people willing to vote for someone they know almost nothing about because the person is black. The reasoning is usually one of two things 1) a lot of his supporters are black and 2) a lot of his supporters don't want to be seen as racist. I don't have any problem with voting for a black person or a woman but they should be QUALIFIED. I don't understand how some people can't understand that.
Many of our local bagel shops have closed, but I used to love a rye bagel with pineapple cream cheese.
Alas, not available any more.
I suppose it could be my server. I used pc's for years, and now I am totally converted to my Mac. You probably know why. :-)
Just read the People Magazine interview with the President and his wife. The christmas memory story Mrs. Bush tells about her and the girls is just absolutely precious. You'll need a tissue!
Thank you. I am happy you enjoyed it. I think we already miss Rummy.
Only in comparison to those so far to the Left that they almost fall off the edge of the planet.
My biggest hope is that Lieberman will get disgusted, and switch.
Won't happen. Liberman is a Democrat first, last and always even though he ran as an independent. He's also one of the professional class of politicians that infest our state and federal legislatures these days. The fact that he chose to do run as an independent instead of going into private life after the primary he lost says all you need to know about him. He ain't gonna willingly give up power now that the Dems are in the majority.
Or Hispanic, or Muslim, or gay, or lesbian, or whatever other crowd thinks like a group instead of like individuals.
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