[tonycavanagh]

re :Rumsfeld has done his duty; it's time for him to take five and enjoy some good brandy.

Complete and utter rubbish, he was responsible for making sure we had no real phase 4 plan to put into operation.

I wish those who support the war in Iraq took time out to actually understand what happened and what is happening out there.

Donald’s plan was go in take out Saddam get out.

The Military and Intelligence both told him that it would not happen like that, and that we needed to plan for phase 4 operations, he said NO NO NO.

Well I am on my third tour out there hardly get in and get out.

We had a window of opportunity which we were not allowed to take advantage of, because of Rumsfeld.

In the Military we have a hierarchy that means as a Sergeant I follow the orders of a Junior Officer, but although he is my CO if he has sense he will listen to what I have to say based on experience.

Rumsfeld refused to it was his way or no way.

If you want to debate t6his I will happily take you through the whole operation detailing where Rumsfeld refused to listen and the aftermath of that refusal

[Proud_texan]

I don't doubt you but might I ask how you get info as to the inner goings on of the DoD, I'd like to get in that loop.

[Partisano]

You wrote, Donald’s plan was go in take out Saddam get out.

Why do you think that was his plan? Looks to me like he wanted permanent bases in Iraq to keep an eye on the whole area.

[KC Burke]

One of the views I have read goes like this:
After the military victory, this was one of the first war aftermaths where the State Department, albeit with a military titular heading it, wasn't used to set up an occupation/civil transition government. Instead we had DOD running a "special op" with amatuers and "contractors".

The typical scenerio called to the civil police to be left in force but as Saddam policed with the military, we decided to disband them all leaving a complete rebuilding job ahead of us and the total lack of cooperation from the Sunnis. This cooked off for nine months and the Shi'ia decided to make a power grab in their areas with milita.

While I am a student of history, the history of occupations and the like is rather narrow and while I can't knock this down, I can't agree without more insight.

[LibLieSlayer]

I had TWO MARINE OFFICERS in my business yesterday. Both have done duty in Iraq and Afghanistan (one is going back to Afghanistan in January). We talked about Rummy leaving, and both said he will be missed. They said he was disliked in the Pentagon becasue he was he FIRST (and LONGEST serving) SoD that the Generals in the Pentagon could not break. They had insight into why some didn't like him, but they never accused Rummy of what you state.

LLS

[CDHart]

I don't want to debate your points, as it sounds like you know what you're talking about. However, I am interested in the details, as I have not heard them before. Thanks in advance for your time.

Carolyn

[buck61]

Well if you are so damn smart why are you not running the war?

I have read a few comments from some like you but thank the Lord you are a small number.