Bush should start by firing Rumsfeld

New York Times via Houston Chronicle | May 5, 2004, 10:31PM | By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN

[weegee]

We are in danger of losing something much more important than just the war in Iraq. We are in danger of losing America as an instrument of moral authority and inspiration in the world. I have never known a time in my life when America and its president were more hated around the world than today. I was just in Japan, and even young Japanese dislike us. It's no wonder that so many Americans are obsessed with the finale of the sitcom Friends right now. They're the only friends we have, and even they're leaving.

This administration needs to undertake a total overhaul of its Iraq policy; otherwise, it is courting a total disaster for us all.

That overhaul needs to begin with President Bush firing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld — today, not tomorrow or next month, today. What happened in Abu Ghraib prison was, at best, a fundamental breakdown in the chain of command under Rumsfeld's authority, or, at worst, part of a deliberate policy somewhere in the military-intelligence command of sexually humiliating prisoners to soften them up for interrogation, a policy that ran amok.

Either way, the secretary of defense is ultimately responsible, and if we are going to rebuild our credibility as instruments of humanitarian values, the rule of law and democratization, in Iraq or elsewhere, Bush must hold his own defense secretary accountable. Words matter, but deeds matter more. If the Pentagon leadership ran any U.S. company with the kind of abysmal planning in this war, it would have been fired by shareholders months ago.

I know that tough interrogations are vital in a war against a merciless enemy, but outright torture, or this sexual-humiliation-for-entertainment, is abhorrent. I also know the sort of abuse that went on in Abu Ghraib prison goes on in prisons all over the Arab world every day, as it did under Saddam — without the Arab League or Al-Jazeera ever saying a word about it. I know they are shameful hypocrites, but I want my country to behave better — not only because it is America, but also because the war on terrorism is a war of ideas, and to have any chance of winning we must maintain the credibility of our ideas.

We were hit on 9/11 by people who believed hateful ideas — ideas too often endorsed by some of their own spiritual leaders and educators back home. We cannot win a war of ideas against such people by ourselves. Only Arabs and Muslims can. What we could do — and this was the only legitimate rationale for this war — was try to help Iraqis create a progressive context in the heart of the Arab-Muslim world where that war of ideas could be fought out.

But it is hard to partner with someone when you become so radioactive no one wants to stand next to you. We have to restore some sense of partnership with the world if we are going to successfully partner with Iraqis.

Bush needs to invite to Camp David the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, the heads of both NATO and the United Nations, and the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Syria. There, he needs to eat crow, apologize for his mistakes and make clear that he is turning a new page. Second, he needs to explain that we are losing in Iraq, and if we continue to lose the U.S. public will eventually demand that we quit Iraq, and it will then become Afghanistan-on-steroids, which will threaten everyone. Third, he needs to say he will be guided by the United Nations in forming the new caretaker government in Baghdad. And fourth, he needs to explain that he is ready to listen to everyone's ideas about how to expand our force in Iraq, and have it work under a new U.N. mandate, so it will have the legitimacy it needs to crush any uprisings against the interim Iraqi government and oversee elections — and then leave when appropriate. And he needs to urge them all to join in.

Let's not lose sight of something — as bad as things look in Iraq, it is not yet lost, for one big reason: America's aspirations for Iraq and those of the Iraqi silent majority, particularly Shiites and Kurds, are still aligned. We both want Iraqi self-rule and then free elections. That overlap of interests, however clouded, can still salvage something decent from this war — if the Bush team can finally screw up the courage to admit its failures and dramatically change course.

Yes, the hour is late, but as long as there's a glimmer of hope that this Bush team will do the right thing, we must insist on it, because America's role in the world is too precious — to America and to the rest of the world — to be squandered like this.

Friedman is a columnist for The New York Times and a three-time Pulitzer Prize winner.

[Aracelis]

I know that tough interrogations are vital in a war against a merciless enemy, but outright torture, or this sexual-humiliation-for-entertainment, is abhorrent

Somehow, after 9-11 I don't feel too sorry for these people. Sure, none of this should have happened - so fire the people involved and get on with things. We have bigger, more important fish to fry.

[weegee]

Behold the POWER OF CHEESE!

[endthematrix]

The LAST thing Bush (GWB)needs to do is repeat the words of his father:
" What is at stake is more than one small country, it is a big idea—a new world order, where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to achieve the universal aspirations of mankind: peace and security, freedom, and the rule of law. Such is a world worthy of our struggle, and worthy of our children's future.

The community of nations has resolutely gathered to condemn and repel lawless aggression. Saddam Hussein's unprovoked invasion—his ruthless, systematic rape of a peaceful neighbor—violated everything the community of nations holds dear. The world has said this aggression would not stand, and it will not stand."

" the international community is united. The leadership of the United Nations, once only a hoped-for ideal, is now confirming its founders' vision. "

George W. Bush should tell the world the UN is dead.

[Dec31,1999]

There are so many mushy heads around! Donald Rumsfeld is a great American.

Don't believe the hype, 'cause it's nonsense!

[swilhelm73]

Talk about overreaction.

Arrest those deemed to have had a role in the torture of prisoners.

Give them a fair trial, and if found guilty punish them to the maximum extent of the law.

Make sure this process is fully aired out.

Point out during the process that this is what civilized countries do when their people commit such crimes - not encourage it ala Saddam or Yassir.

By showing the western notion of justice I think the negative here can, conceivably be turned into a positive.

[beaversmom]

It's no wonder that so many Americans are obsessed with the finale of the sitcom Friends right now. They're the only friends we have, and even they're leaving.

No, Mr. Friedman some Americans are obsessed with Friends right now and have been obsessed through the duration of the show because our school system, media, and culture has created a bunch of mindless, Godless idiots who look up to overpaid, mindless, narcissistic idiots with delusions of grandeur.

[texasflower]

Ah, texasforever! How is one of my favorite freepers?

Thank you for that information. That's what I thought.

[CyberAnt]

We should do exactly the opposite. We should allow Rumsfeld to set the rules of engagement - instead of the State Dept. This is a damn war - not a tea party.

[NYCVirago]

Create your own Thomas Friedman column:

http://mcsweeneys.net/2004/4/28ward.html

[Recovering_Democrat]

Horse hockey. Rumsfeld shouldn't be fired. The people who did this should have their day in a military court. If, in fact, this is abuse then they should be punished. If, through these intimidations and humiliations American lives were saved, then they should be acquitted.

[tkathy]

A good part of the reason we are hated is the ceaseless America bashing by the liberal media.

[Flyer]

Bush should start by firing Rumsfeld

Then he and Vice President Cheney should resign. And then we amend the Constitution so Bill Clinton can have a third term.

Sheesh, I wish they would quit toying with us and just tell us what they really want.

[wunderkind54]

If Rummy goes, how about replacing him with Ann Coulter?

[leprechaun9]

We should put the poster boy of the New Yoooork Times in charge - JAYSON BLAIR!

[WhirlwindAttack]

You know if we didn't take prisoners in iraq there wouldn't be any prisoner abuse. 9 cents wort of ammo per prisoner could rectify this horrible situation. Let's throw a fund raiser to help out.

[pabianice]

It's no wonder that so many Americans are obsessed with the finale of the sitcom Friends right now. They're the only friends we have, and even they're leaving. If he'll say this, he'll say anything.

Not true. America is obsessed with whether the crew of Enterprise will be able to stop the Xindi and save Earth. Get your story straight.

[MJY1288]

Thomas Friedman needs to stick to his day job of writing for the Fish wrap he does, cause the only person who might consider his advice has been dead for a while and I don't think Neville Chamberlain would hire him anyway

[jwalsh07]

Bush needs to invite to Camp David the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, the heads of both NATO and the United Nations, and the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Syria.

Freidman continues his descent into never, never land.

[LucyJo]

"We should do exactly the opposite. We should allow Rumsfeld to set the rules of engagement - instead of the State Dept. This is a damn war - not a tea party."

AMEN!!

[L.N. Smithee]

Bush needs to invite to Camp David the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, the heads of both NATO and the United Nations, and the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Syria. There, he needs to eat crow, apologize for his mistakes and make clear that he is turning a new page. Second, he needs to explain that we are losing in Iraq, and if we continue to lose the U.S. public will eventually demand that we quit Iraq, and it will then become Afghanistan-on-steroids, which will threaten everyone. Third, he needs to say he will be guided by the United Nations in forming the new caretaker government in Baghdad. And fourth, he needs to explain that he is ready to listen to everyone's ideas about how to expand our force in Iraq, and have it work under a new U.N. mandate, so it will have the legitimacy it needs to crush any uprisings against the interim Iraqi government and oversee elections — and then leave when appropriate. And he needs to urge them all to join in.

Why doesn't the entire administration just quit, and we can inaugurate Kerry now?? </industrial strength sarcasm>