[pooh fan]

Laconic, you are full of it. (It's only out of respect for this site that I use such a polite term--believe me, I'm thinking of something much more earthy) I'd guess by your statements, you have never been been in the Boy Scouts or in organized sports, let alone the military.

Donald Rumsfeld is an adult sir, pure and simple. You on the other hand, are a little child who does not understand the world.

The Secretary of War during WWI and WWII did not sign condolence letters. Nor did the his predecessors in the re-named position of Secretary of Defense in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Kosov, or Gulf War I. Most of these families received a telegram. Sometimes, they got a letter from the commander and it was good enough. All of you pinheads think that sensitivity & appearances matter. They don't. But then, children never understand the matters of adults.

[laconic]

Name calling won't change my mind on this issue (or my opinion of Mr. Rumsfeld and his actions) in the slightest.