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Rush Limbaugh Live Thread Tuesday Nov 21st, 2006
RushLimbaugh.com ^ | 11-21-2006

Posted on 11/21/2006 8:30:44 AM PST by MNJohnnie

Rumsfeld

By Douglas Feit Sunday, November 19, 2006

Much of what you know about Donald Rumsfeld is wrong.

I know, because I worked intimately with him for four years, from the summer of 2001 until I left the Pentagon in August 2005.

Through countless meetings and private conversations, I came to learn his traits, frame of mind and principles -- characteristics wholly at odds with the standard public depiction of Rumsfeld, particularly now that he has stepped down after a long, turbulent tenure as defense secretary, a casualty of our toxic political climate.

I want to set the record straight: Don Rumsfeld is not an ideologue. He did not refuse to have his views challenged. He did not ignore the advice of his military advisers. And he did not push single-mindedly for war in Iraq. He was motivated to serve the national interest by transforming the military, though it irritated people throughout the Pentagon.

Rumsfeld's drive to modernize created a revealing contrast between his Pentagon and the State Department -- where Colin Powell was highly popular among the staff. After four years of Powell's tenure at State, the organization chart there would hardly tip anyone off that 9/11 had occurred -- or even that the Cold War was over.

Rumsfeld is a bundle of paradoxes, like a fascinating character in a work of epic literature. And as my high school teachers drummed into my head, the best literature reveals that humans are complex. They are not the all-good or all-bad, all-brilliant or all-dumb figures that inhabit trashy novels and news stories. Fine literature teaches us the difference between appearance and reality.

Because of his complexity, Rumsfeld often is misread. His politics are deeply conservative but he was radical in his drive to force change in every area he oversaw. He is strong-willed and hard-driving but he built his defense strategies and Quadrennial Defense Reviews on calls for intellectual humility.

Those of us in his inner circle heard him say over and over again: Our intelligence, in all senses of the term, is limited. We cannot predict the future. We must continually question our preconceptions and theories. If events contradict them, don't suppress the bad news; rather, change your preconceptions and theories.

If an ideologue is someone to whom the facts don't matter, then Rumsfeld is the opposite of an ideologue. He insists that briefings for him be full of facts, thoughtfully organized and rigorously sourced. He demands that facts at odds with his key policy assumptions be brought to his attention immediately. "Bad news never gets better with time," he says, and berates any subordinate who fails to rush forward to him with such news. He does not suppress bad news; he acts on it.

Rumsfeld's drive to overhaul the Pentagon -- to drop outdated practices, programs and ideas -- antagonized many senior military officers and civilian officials in the department. He pushed for doing more with less. He pushed for reorganizing offices and relationships to adapt to a changing world. After 9/11, he created the Northern Command (the first combatant command that included the U.S. homeland among its areas of responsibility), a new undersecretary job for intelligence and a new assistant secretary job for homeland defense.

Seeking to improve civil-military cooperation, Rumsfeld devised new institutions for the Pentagon's top civilian and military officials to work face to face on strategic matters and new venues for all of them to gather a few times a year with the combatant commanders. He also conceived and pushed through a thorough revision of how U.S. military forces are based, store equipment, move and train with partners around the world -- something that was never done before in U.S. history.

On Iraq, Rumsfeld helped President Bush analyze the dangers posed by Saddam Hussein's regime. Given Saddam's history -- starting wars; using chemical weapons against foreign and domestic enemies; and training, financing and otherwise supporting various terrorists -- Rumsfeld helped make the case that leaving him in power entailed significant risks.

But in October 2002, Rumsfeld also wrote a list of the risks involved in removing Saddam from power. (I called the list his "parade of horribles" memo.) He reviewed it in detail with the president and the National Security Council. Rumsfeld's warnings about the dangers of war -- including the perils of a post-Saddam power vacuum -- were more comprehensive than anything I saw from the CIA, State or elsewhere. Rumsfeld continually reminded the president that he had no risk-free option for dealing with the dangers Saddam posed.

Historians will sort out whether Rumsfeld was too pushy with his military, or not pushy enough; whether he micromanaged Ambassador L. Paul Bremer and the Coalition Provisional Authority, or gave them too much slack. I know more about these issues than most people, yet I don't have all the information for a full analysis. I do know, however, that the common view of Rumsfeld as a close-minded man, ideologically wedded to the virtues of a small force, is wrong.

Rumsfeld had to resign, I suppose, because our bitter and noxious political debate of recent years has turned him into a symbol. His effectiveness was damaged. For many in Congress and the public, the Rumsfeld caricature dominated their view of the Iraq war and the administration's ability to prosecute it successfully. Even if nominee Robert Gates pursues essentially the same strategies, he may garner more public confidence.

What Rumsfeld believed, said and did differs from the caricature. The public picture of him today is drawn from news accounts reflecting the views of people who disapproved of his policies or disliked him. Rumsfeld, after all, can be brutally demanding and tough.

But I believe history will be more appreciative of him than the first draft has been. What will last is serious history, which, like serious literature, can distinguish appearance from reality.

Douglas J. Feith, a professor at Georgetown University, served as undersecretary of defense for policy from 2001 to 2005.


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: kingtalker; rushlimbaugh; talkradio; theroadback
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To: ChicagoConservative27
I bet they will soon make a shirt that says Bush's fault
281 posted on 11/21/2006 10:50:28 AM PST by StoneWall Brigade (Rick Santorum And Newt Gingrich08!)
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To: RasterMaster

If we learn from our failures, I'm Alvin Einstein!

282 posted on 11/21/2006 10:50:37 AM PST by Sensei Ern (http://www.myspace.com/reconcomedy - For a good time visit www.laurelbaptisttemple.org)
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To: Sensei Ern

"Also, Dafur is their idea, not Bush's. They want a war to pin on their collective chest."

Then by all means let's appoint Rangell as Commander and organize every lib who opens his/her/its mouth on the subject as the ONLY troops sent there.


283 posted on 11/21/2006 10:51:37 AM PST by Unrepentant VN Vet
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To: Sensei Ern

Whats up with people and attacking the PS3?


284 posted on 11/21/2006 10:53:17 AM PST by StoneWall Brigade (Rick Santorum And Newt Gingrich08!)
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To: jackv

I remember that after David Hyde Pierce won his first Emmy for the role of Niles, he appeared on a TV talk show. He walked on stage in a three-piece suit and his characteristic deadpan expression. He was also wearing a yellow hard hat with his Emmy on top, decorated with flashing lights. Great moment.


285 posted on 11/21/2006 10:53:22 AM PST by American Quilter (You can't negotiate with people who are dedicated to your destruction.)
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To: ChicagoConservative27

I'll bet that "guy" likes Judy Garland show tunes!


286 posted on 11/21/2006 10:53:43 AM PST by RasterMaster (Winning Islamic hearts and minds.........one bullet at a time!)
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To: Sensei Ern
Well, I have been thinking that listen to what these so-called comedians stand up there and scream about Bush. Remember whoopi and rosanne barr?? Not an outcry about that, huh? Hollywoods make me crazy with their selective outrage. What hypocrits!!
287 posted on 11/21/2006 10:53:53 AM PST by jackv (just shakin' my head)
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To: Sensei Ern
If we learn from our failures, I'm Alvin Einstein!

LOL! Albert's younger brother, I assume.

288 posted on 11/21/2006 10:54:17 AM PST by American Quilter (You can't negotiate with people who are dedicated to your destruction.)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

That show is what inspired me to get into radio.


289 posted on 11/21/2006 10:55:05 AM PST by txradioguy (Dec. 1st 2006 I become a third generation NCO.)
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To: Unrepentant VN Vet

....also on that same note, I'll be more than happy to come and help train them.

For free.

I'll even pay my own way to get there.

(The rest of you bums go take a number......I've got head of the line.)


290 posted on 11/21/2006 10:56:23 AM PST by Unrepentant VN Vet
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To: American Quilter

I didn't see that. How funny. I miss that show so much. Hated when it ended! Have 3 of the season's dvds so far!


291 posted on 11/21/2006 10:56:35 AM PST by jackv (just shakin' my head)
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To: jackv

They should be more outraged after seeing Whoopi Goldberg attempt to do stand up improv with Robin Williams & Billy Crystal. Her talent was not present at all... maybe character roles in films, but not on the stage.


292 posted on 11/21/2006 10:57:10 AM PST by Darth Republican
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To: txradioguy

LOL....I don't venture over there anymore. Went once to see that Elizabeth Edwards was posting there. How very disgusting. I'm sure not part of her America.


293 posted on 11/21/2006 10:57:47 AM PST by OldFriend (FALLEN HERO JEFFREY TOCZYLOWSKI, REST IN PEACE)
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To: American Quilter

D'OH! ;o7


294 posted on 11/21/2006 11:02:55 AM PST by Sensei Ern (http://www.myspace.com/reconcomedy - For a good time visit www.laurelbaptisttemple.org)
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To: OldFriend

I have a mole over there...*shhhhhh*...waiting for the right time to spring it on the poor DUmmies.

THe last time I went over there to confront anyone was about 6 months ago when I pwn3d LynnTheDem...traitorous little hussy who takes great joy in bashing troops even though she's a military spouse.


295 posted on 11/21/2006 11:04:19 AM PST by txradioguy (Dec. 1st 2006 I become a third generation NCO.)
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To: MNJohnnie
Stuff is NOT happening. It is the same tin foil hat wearing crowd who spent the 1990s screaming about Black Helicopters and the UN Army. It is utter deranged lunatic ranting.

I see you have very strong feelings about this issue.

I don't know about a North American Union, I do believe President Bush would NOT be a party to it. I doubt my trust would hold under a democrat white house. Things can change with a liberal Supreme Court, so that must be foreseen to be prevented. I don't believe keeping your eyes open should be considered deranged.

Also, If I were to get the proper education, and kept my own house in order, I bet I COULD be President! :)

296 posted on 11/21/2006 11:04:52 AM PST by Last Laugh
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To: rodguy911
I stand by "actions" always speak the loudest!

I second that.

297 posted on 11/21/2006 11:05:51 AM PST by Last Laugh
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To: MNJohnnie
The "Trib" is Pittsburgh's conservative paper. Lots of decent writers there.

Columnist Ralph R. Reiland is fabulous on the economy and mostly everything else. Check him out some time. I'm sure will will like him. He is an Economics Prof. here in the city.

298 posted on 11/21/2006 11:06:26 AM PST by beyond the sea ( Now that Pelosi Galore is in charge, it's never too late or early to start drinking.)
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To: txradioguy
Dec. 1st 2006 I become a third generation NCO

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!

299 posted on 11/21/2006 11:07:43 AM PST by Clint N. Suhks (If you don't love Jesus, you can go to hell.)
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To: Sensei Ern

The Greaseman is also know here in D.C. from when he announced...after Reagan made MLK's B-day a Federal Holiday..."let's kill four more and take a week"...Tracht and Stern are two of the original "shock jocks".

As for Richards and how he willbe treated...the DUmmies are already making excuses fr him at DU.

So the message is clear...if you're Robert Byrd, Michael Richards or (insert Dem here) and use racial slurs you get a pass.

Mention you admire Strom Thurmond and you're immediately and forever branded a racist.


300 posted on 11/21/2006 11:07:52 AM PST by txradioguy (Dec. 1st 2006 I become a third generation NCO.)
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