Rumsfeld in a spot
It was interesting to read up on the breaking story about Donald Rumsfeld's grilling by soldiers in a public setting. The AP article on the incident was pretty detailed and I have to tip my hat to the Associated Press for that. However I don't think the article was fair to Rumsfeld. Some of the most important facts that provided the best kind of context to this puzzling case about humvees and their armor, were only included at the very end of the article.
There are few people as maligned as this man at the top of the Defense department. In all of my collegiate experience, I have never really heard any admiration directed toward him. Even when compared to others in the Bush administration, he seems invariably to be considered public enemy number one. Even compared to Cheney who must, in my estimation, run a close second.
Rumsfeld has one of the most impressive resumes in the world. Impressive that is, if you are able to find a biography that isn't loaded down with out of context quotes and facts and unsubstantiated speculation. It's amazing what they will write about him. This is a guy who was has the honor of being the youngest and oldest serving Defense secretary. He was awarded the highest civilian award from the government, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His political career is virtually spotless and that after over 50 years! He was one of the first lawmakers to support the civil rights movement. He served in a dizzying array of jobs and positions in the government, military and business sectors. He is incredibly intelligent with a rare sense of humor and profound leadership and managerial skills.
The most profound and unique items in his life's story are often construed in some odd-ball fashion to make it somehow appear suspicious.
When the pentagon was hit on September 11th, in the rush of humanity to help evacuate the hit area, he was overlooked until someone finally noticed that he was right there among the workers evacuating helping in the rescue effort. Such heroics are often sidelined though. This story is not included in government sources that he would have control over, and some others who actually mention the incident accuse him of playing the hero just to win loyalty among subordinates. Yeah, can you tell that some people are just a little delusional in their attacks on "Rummy?" Discounting the ridiculous speculation over motives, since when was it a crime to win loyalty when you are trying to reorganize one of the biggest bureaucracies in the world?
There are few people as maligned as this man at the top of the Defense department. In all of my collegiate experience, I have never really heard any admiration directed toward him. Even when compared to others in the Bush administration, he seems invariably to be considered public enemy number one. Even compared to Cheney who must, in my estimation, run a close second.
Rumsfeld has one of the most impressive resumes in the world. Impressive that is, if you are able to find a biography that isn't loaded down with out of context quotes and facts and unsubstantiated speculation. It's amazing what they will write about him. This is a guy who was has the honor of being the youngest and oldest serving Defense secretary. He was awarded the highest civilian award from the government, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His political career is virtually spotless and that after over 50 years! He was one of the first lawmakers to support the civil rights movement. He served in a dizzying array of jobs and positions in the government, military and business sectors. He is incredibly intelligent with a rare sense of humor and profound leadership and managerial skills.
The most profound and unique items in his life's story are often construed in some odd-ball fashion to make it somehow appear suspicious.
When the pentagon was hit on September 11th, in the rush of humanity to help evacuate the hit area, he was overlooked until someone finally noticed that he was right there among the workers evacuating helping in the rescue effort. Such heroics are often sidelined though. This story is not included in government sources that he would have control over, and some others who actually mention the incident accuse him of playing the hero just to win loyalty among subordinates. Yeah, can you tell that some people are just a little delusional in their attacks on "Rummy?" Discounting the ridiculous speculation over motives, since when was it a crime to win loyalty when you are trying to reorganize one of the biggest bureaucracies in the world?
posted by Mark at 11:09 PM
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