Well, these guys never figured on an insurgency, much like the insurgency the colonists launched against the British in the early days of America's struggle for Freedom. And because they failed to study history, they know not that one very important trait all insurgents share is they do not give up" ever.
So, before launching this illegal war based upon falsities, with its true predetermination being the acquisition of oil plus wealth for GOP Big Biz cronies, any general who advised against it was shunted aside. The plot finally went ahead when top commanders were in place who would follow orders as directed, like good soldiers.
When not entirely "with the program," as it's called in militaryspeak, senior officers were removed, transferred, demoted or rotated out. Whenever the opportunity arose, public humiliation was the order of the day. Those senior officers who stayed with the program, no matter how inadequate, were rewarded with decorations and even promotions.
I wrote a long time ago that the putz is inept and has no business in charge of our Armed Forces. I was a member of the Army when he was SecDef the first time, under Ford, and can say from personal experience he sucked at the job in peacetime conditions.
I wouldn't put Rummy in charge of a custodial crew at a retirement home.
Several weeks ago, the uberbrilliant Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated that the U.S. had made "thousands of tactical errors in Iraq." She later attempted to back away from the comment by saying it was just a slip of the tongue, but the entire World knew better.
Since then, no less than six retired generals have come out publicly calling for Rummy to step down or be replaced. These are, to a man, recent retirees who had some command responsibility connected with the ongoing Mideast hostilities. Position and responsibility to duty precluded comment while they were still serving in uniform. However, it's been strongly suggested that in private conversations numerous other senior officers would like to see Rummy make a final trip through the exit door.
Much as I only accept the military as a necessary evil, anyone who has dedicated their lives to military service and been elevated to the rank of general should be given the benefit of the doubt in matters of combat strength and tactics. However, when civilians, possessed of absolutely no operational experience, come in and overrule the finest military minds simply because a title and overblown ego allows them to, who would you say is on the stupid side of the table?
So, in an interview published in the Chicago Sun-Times (Thursday, April 20, 2006), about the best Ms. Rice was willing to put forward for her "friend," the beleaguered Rummy, was, --he's a really good Secretary of Defense."
Faint praise, indeed.
The rest of King George's comment about being "The Decider?" - "And what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the Secretary of Defense."
Best for whom? George's ego, or the lives of our brave troops in harm's way, or the life of a free United States of America? As usual, the King offered no specifics for his decision, only that he had decided.
Or so he said.
I'll say this about the re-shuffling going on in the West Wing - those guys sure are white!
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