[aristotleman]

Prayers for our soldiers.

I don't think it's a good idea for the secretary of defense to make a statement about being surprised by the Baathists. A large portion of the American population are impatient and ignorant about this conflict and the media is not clean about reporting it. Most people get their news from the usual suspects and form opinions based on emotion and a superficial understanding of the situation.

It would be better if Rumsfeld launched a campaign to explain what is happening for real, and what the plan is, its milestones and objectives, as well as the victories that come everyday.

Keeping the people totally in the dark looks bad. The DOD has held the line of "trust us we know what we are doing" -which has always been the line of the military during a campaign. That line presupposes that a population comprehends the real timeline of a war, and supports it's merits, trusting their government to know what they are doing.

However, things today are different than WWII or Vietnam: Most Americans are too used to being sold something through marketing and obvious explanations. The DOD has to understand the weakness of their audience, and to respond to it appropriately.

If the current trend is not addressed, the president's image as a man of honesty will be harmed.

Secondly, I feel that Rummy is on his way out of the game. The fact that he was left out of the change in the Iraq administration plan, and had to learn about it from secondary sources, tells me that he is not on good terms with the people above him. Is it because of the image he portrays? Is it because he was surprised in Iraq? What are the political struggles taking place here?

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I don't think it's a good idea for the secretary of defense to make a statement about being surprised by the Baathists.

Rumsfeld's comment makes it appear that he underestimated the enemy and was naive. IMO, It's best to never underestimate the enemy and Democrats.

[yoe]

Secondly, I feel that Rummy is on his way out of the game. The fact that he was left out of the change in the Iraq administration plan, and had to learn about it from secondary sources, tells me that he is not on good terms with the people above him. Is it because of the image he portrays? Is it because he was surprised in Iraq? What are the political struggles taking place here?

Wrong! You let the media spin get you. He was never out of the loop. That is the sort of yellow reporting that has prevailed in the deliberate misinformation coming from leftist reporters. Don't let that happen again!