Secretary Rumsfeld Interview with Dan Rather, CBS News

Dept of Defense ^ | 9/5/03 | Rumsfeld, Rather

[woodyinscc]

Have you ever seen the interview when GHWB handed him his head on a platter? This man is a blithering idiot, caught up in his self importance. Remember, this is the man who said "Clinton is an honest man"

[wingman1]

There will be no quagmire because, unlike Vietnam, there is not a clarion call for more troops coming from the US Generals. John Paul Vann's legacy.

[maica]

Thanks for posting this transcript. Rumsfeld toyed with Rather. What an idiot interviewer!

[Arkady]

Very true, you know your stuff. Unfortunately there's still that clarion-call from the media to work their Vietnam-magic by exaggerating casualties,etc on the nightly news.
Amazing how they wax so nostalgic about the only war Amerca ever "lost." Lest we forget, MacArthur was still in Japan 5 years after WWII and nazi resistance was still strong in Germany during the reconstruction era. Not that you'll ever hear that mentioned on the alphabet-networks. It wasn't their favorite war, even though it's a much closer parallel to what we face now.
On the other hand, did it do much good in the long run to rebuild Germany and france, it doesn't seem to have had lasting results.

[BigWaveBetty]

ping!

[Irish Eyes]

Thank you for posting this. I love it when Rather gets his head handed to him. Wish I could have seen the interview.

[Right_in_Virginia]

BTTT

[GOPJ]

Rumsfeld is soooooooo right. Thanks for the ping...

What's taken place? City councils have been growing all across this country. Dozens of towns, dozens of villages, here in Baghdad. A governing council has stood up. The governing council has selected ministers, a cabinet and ministers.

In a country that has no experience with democracy, with no experience with representative government in recent decades, that's impressive changes that are taking place.

[BerniesFriend]

Rumsfield had it almost right when he compared the war to only being 5 1/2 months instead of 5 1/2 YEARS..what he should have pointed out to "Frequency Dan" is that they both were sitting in one of saddam's palaces..after less than 6 months..saddam is running for his life..unlike vietnam or any other major wars..

[Valin]

Well we forgive. We understand these things happen, even in the best of states.
But don't let it happen again!

[wingman1]

There was no counteracting force wrt the media during the Vietnam era. Today we have many news sources like Fox and Talk Radio - that refuse to back off from the left wing onslaught. Look at how the likes of Baldwin, Depp, Dixie Chicks, Garofalo, back track when called to account. They represent a large segment of people who have no understanding of what is at stake OR who simply wish to politicize the war in order to effect "regime change" here at home.

Another big difference then and now is the political leadership. The turning point, imo, in Vietnam came when Johnson decided not to run for re-election, while calling for an end to the bombing of North Vietnam and peace talks in Paris with the VC/NVA.

Imagine the fallout if Bush was to declare something similar. That's why it is good to have guys like Rumsfeld speak strongly: Others in leadership would not dare suggest selling out our troops as in Vietnam.

RE: Your question about France and Germany. It WAS worthwhile because it demonstrates the historic capability and willingness of America to perform good deeds (the Marshall Plan). Once the people of Iraq experience the true taste of freedom, there will be no going back.

[WaterDragon]

I read the entire transcript because I do love to read what Sec'y Rumsfield has to say! Rather is a moron, it's in his genes.

[faithincowboys]

Rumsfeld: You've never seen an article in the newspaper that isn't true? You're a grown adult. You know better than that.

This response is truly priceless. Don Rumsfeld is brilliant. Dan should change his diaper occassionally.

[faithincowboys]

I am literally crying I am laughing so hard.

Excellent post! Its an excellent summation of the interview.

[faithincowboys]

Bush 41 is not nearly as skillful at this as Don. Rather should really jump in front of a train after this. He had rectal bleeding by the end of the interview. He is such a dishonorable douche bag.