Posted on 12/19/2004 1:14:03 PM PST by ejdrapes
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld did not personally sign his name on letters of condolence to families of troops killed in Iraq but instead had it done by a machine, an action lawmakers said on Sunday showed insensitivity and was inappropriate for leadership during war. Rumsfeld acknowledged that he had not signed the letters to family members of more than 1,000 U.S. troops killed in action and in a statement said he would now sign them in his own hand. "This issue of the secretary of Defense not personally signing the letters is just astounding to me and it does reflect how out of touch they are and how dismissive they are," Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel said on CBS's "Face the Nation." "I have no confidence in Rumsfeld," Hagel added. Rumsfeld has been under strong fire from Democrats and some Republicans recently for appearing to brush off concerns of soldiers about the lack of protective equipment in Iraq. But President Bush's Chief of Staff Andrew Card emphasized White House support for Rumsfeld on Sunday. He "is doing a spectacular job, and the president has great confidence in him," Card told ABC's "This Week" program. Hagel noted that the families of the troops killed in Iraq have received letters signed by Bush. "My goodness, that is the least we can expect the secretary of Defense ... If the president can find the time to do that why can't the secretary of Defense?" said Hagel, who has been a sharp critic of the way Bush has handled the Iraq war. Democrat Jack Reed of Rhode Island said family members of those killed, "would like to think that at least for a moment the secretary thought about individually this young man or this young woman." "Again it shows a lack of leadership style appropriate for the military ... This goes to his capability to continue to serve." However, Republican Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, said that while "this is another area in which the secretary is being insensitive," the action did not "go to his leadership." AUTOPEN RETIRED "I wrote and approved the now more than 1,000 letters sent to family members and next of kin of each of the servicemen and women killed in military action," Rumsfeld said in a statement on Sunday." "While I have not individually signed each one, in the interest of ensuring expeditious contact with grieving family members, I have directed that in the future I sign each letter." Rumsfeld got himself into trouble earlier this month by appearing to brush off a soldier headed to Iraq who complained that military vehicles did not have sufficient armor and troops were having to piece together scraps of metal for extra protections. Some prominent Republicans including Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain and former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott have questioned his performance, leading the White House to come to his defense on Friday with a statement that he was "doing a great job." Among the critics, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar expressed concern on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday that removing him from office could threaten national security. "He should be held accountable and he should stay in office," the Indiana Republican senator said. "The fact is a change of leadership in the Pentagon at this point might be as disruptive as trying to get someone in Homeland Defense," he added. Military families told the Stars and Stripes newspaper, which first carried the story, that the machine-signed letters reflected a lack of respect for the losses the families had suffered. "To me it's an insult, not only as someone who lost a loved one but also as someone who served in Iraq," Army Spc. Ivan Medina whose brother Irving was killed in Iraq this summer, told the newspaper.Lawmakers Chide Rumsfeld for Auto-Signed Sympathy Letters
Wonderful post MOG!Thank you. :^D
I sent a letter to President Bush. I copied it in post #93, btw .....
Lots of people consider themselves more "sensitive" than Rummy is.
Barney Frank or George Patton, take your choice.
I'm puzzled why all these "offended" people have not pursued the path to the Secy of DoD's job.
As far as past service Benedict Arnold had a good record in the military.
Priorities.
I chide the lawmakers for what they are doing to Rumsfeld. He has done nothing wrong. They are like slavering animals wanting the kill in order to make themselves look great. They make me sick !!
Double Dittos
Wonderful!
However I doubt that you signed it MeekOneGOP! LoL!
All reassurance is welcome I'm sure by the White House with all the political fore fronting taking precedence over war time concerns through the media.
I received a Christmas card from George and Laura Bush this holiday season and "gasp" it wasn't signed personally!
My mindset after this "debacle" hasn't changed my political concerns or my support for Dubya! : )
Merry Christmas MOG and may the season bring you happiness without concern.
EG
Barney Frank or George Patton, take your choice.
I want you to remember that no bas*ard ever won the war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor, dumb bas*ard die for his country. Men, all this stuff you’ve heard about America not wanting to fight – wanting to stay out of the war - is a lot of horse dung! Americans traditionally love to fight! All REAL Americans love the sting of battle …..
And HERE is the full statement.
George Patton never has to experience the trauma of "panties on head" or the repercussion brought about by the media because of it! ; )
My point being, we can't give Rumsfield a pass on behavior that needs improvement.
Question Senator: When is the last time you sent a letter to a constituent that you personally wrote and signed?
Your stupidity is indefensible!
Rumsfeld is in the unenviable position of being the figure-head for the problems we have in Iraq. If things don't start shaping up, he will be the scape-goat for the administration as well as those opposing him now. This war is politicized to the point that Vietnam was. McNamara could furnish some good advice to Rumsfeld.
Amen to that! and well said.
No offense taken at all ... I understood it wasn't directed at me. Thanks!
Wonderful!
However I doubt that you signed it MeekOneGOP! LoL!hahahhaaaa! :^D
That IS funny. I thought that too when I was writing the letter. haha!
Merry Christmas MOG and may the season bring you happiness without concern.
Thank you. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
George Patton never had to experience the trauma of "panties on head" or the repercussion brought about by the media because of it! ; )>Yep! The media works overtime now to aid the anti-America/anti-war effort.
This war is politicized to the point that Vietnam was.
McNamara could furnish some good advice to Rumsfeld.There are plenty that are sure trying to get it there alright.
The good news is we have Dubya at the wheel!
By the time the anti-Iraq War naysayers are picking their jaws up
from the floors .....
..... we'll be making Iran "happy" neighbors of Iraq.
Side-by-side democracies. :^)
However Redleg, your post IS defensible! : )
Good for you! Most all of this is sour grapes. Even Lott is trying to get in a few licks.
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