Rumsfeld Hammers Pentagon Leaks, Media Reports

CNN | October 22, 2001 | Secretary Donald Rumsfeld

[Dems_R_Losers]

In the middle of the newest anthrax panic, a far more important story is developing...Secretary Rumsfeld is holding a news conference now, which he began by slamming Pentagon leakers and reporters for recent stories describing Special Ops in Afghanistan. Says he "couldn't care less" where the leaks come from (including the White House!), such leaks are "terrible" and put our troops at risk. "Our goal is not to demystify things for the other side...it is it disrupt, it is to frighten, and it is to destroy our enemies." Go Don Go!!!!

[The Wizard]

A very reassuring fellow, Donald is.......

[financeprof]

Try cspan's website--they frequently have past press conferences online.

[financeprof]

as in how are we to know when you [Rumsfeld] are telling the truth?

The same way as you can tell Clinton is lying--his lips are moving.

[Let's Roll]

"On top of that, the schools that trained them didn't teach them the great traditions of a free press--that you don't work for the enemy just because your country allows you First Amendment rights."

Oh, gasp, how can you say that, you know how important it is to them to maintain their sacred objectivity.

[StJulian Perlmutter]

At one point, they cut to the newsies that were sitting there. Honest to Gawd, there was one guy in a flight jacket with wings on it. He had a big gut protruding out of it. There was NO way that jacket could be zipped up. They went in close and he had both US Army Command Pilot wings and Master Jump wings. No way!. This puss-gutted beheamoth had never, never jumped a stick in his life. No wonder Rumsfeld had his fill of them.

[tobiasjodter]

"Our goal is not to demystify things for the other side...it is it disrupt, it is to frighten, and it is to destroy our enemies."

If this is the case why did the Pentagon/DOD release videotape footage of the raid?

[J Jay]

I think the "leakers" should be encourged to accompany our troops on special forces missions. I doubt if there would be future leaks.

[princess leah]

DO YOU THINK THE TERRORISTS ARE GOING TO STOP PLOTTING MORE ATTACKS BECAUSE OF RAMADDAN? No, I don't think so either and so we should continue on to fight terrorism regardless of what their calendar says.

[pubmom]

I quite agree.

[PhiKapMom]

Last week reports of the American ground troops came out and was posted on here from a news organization before our troops returned safely. Can you or someone tell me which news agency that was? I can't find the articles!

[XBob]

53-"``We have absolutely no evidence at all'' that a hospital had been hit, Rumsfeld told reporters. "

We need evidence from the Taliban that we are gulty. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. LOL

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Probably the Pentagon leakers are holdovers from the Clinton administration who are trying to cause trouble for Rumsfeld."

You are very correct. Solution, Mr. Secretary: Security clearances redone on all Pentagon people. And, if a person was appointed by Bill Clinton - he FAILS the security check! Toss him/her OUT NOW! (Remember, for instance, MONICA......worked at the Pentagon!!!! Wonder how many more bimbos are over there???)

They are not just "trying to cause trouble for Rumsfeld," THEY ARE TRAITORS!. The Pentagon should lay a trap for these people. They should tap their phones and prosecute them for espionage. A long prison sentence in Ft. Leavenworth would be a sobering wake-up call for these SOB's who worked for Clinton.

[XBob]

70 - "Last week reports of the American ground troops came out and was posted on here from a news organization before our troops returned safely. Can you or someone tell me which news agency that was? I can't find the articles"

Here is one article PhiKapMom (excerpted from Washington Post Article), so we won't post the whole article, or visit their site:

Special Forces Open Ground Campaign
Small Numbers Are Said to Be Operating To Aid CIA Effort in Southern Afghanistan

By Thomas E. Ricks and Vernon Loeb
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, October 19, 2001; Page A01

U.S. Special Forces have begun the ground phase of America's war against terrorism in Afghanistan, operating in small numbers in southern Afghanistan in support of the CIA's effort in the Taliban heartland, defense officials said yesterday.

The number of U.S. personnel on the ground is just a handful now and is unlikely to ever resemble the large conventional forces assembled in the Persian Gulf War a decade ago, defense officials said. But their presence marks a turning point in only the second week of the conflict, heightening the risk to U.S. forces and underscoring the seriousness of the Bush administration's commitment to prosecuting its war against terrorism.

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks -- that's the one I read last week! I searched and could not find it. I heard on Fox and Friends this morning that the Washington Post was the recipient of the leak from a Pentagon official and that ABC and NBC put it on their Nightly News while troops were still on the ground.

Was looking for the article last night because I figured it would show which news outlet was leaked to and it certainly did!

Thanks again!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

"They are not just "trying to cause trouble for Rumsfeld," THEY ARE TRAITORS!. The Pentagon should lay a trap for these people. They should tap their phones and prosecute them for espionage. A long prison sentence in Ft. Leavenworth would be a sobering wake-up call for these SOB's who worked for Clinton."

Yes - of course - and right on!

We are at war. Don't the "government jobs for life" rules that are being used to keep Clinton people in place in all the Fed. Gov't Agencies get tossed out the window in time of national crisis/emergency/war? If not - we are already sunk!

The Clintons dismantled our national security apparatus - pure and simple. They left spies, traitors, and enemy agents IN PLACE. These people are loyal to only one thing: The money being paid them and the Clinton Crime Machine!

GET THEM OUT - PUT THEM IN JAIL - CLEAN HOUSE, MR. PRESIDENT!

[Silly]

Rumsfeld is the best. It's always fascinating to listen to his press conferences. He's the kind of guy I'd like to work for if I had a job in the military.

[XBob]

Glad to help. I remember, though it was not in the story, that the WP got part of the info out, and they hopped on the Washington Post as they were ready to publish even more damaging information, and the were able to get it quashed.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Hello there bump - yes weren't things simpler then for the media puppets? All they had to do was get on their kneepads before "the great leader" - and all was well.