McCain: 'No Confidence' in Rumsfeld

Yahoo! News ^ | BETH DeFALCO, Associated Press

[APFel]

Wow... Thanks for the civil reply (it was completely unexpected due to my strong condemnation as the postscript to my post)

But, for the most part, I agree with your sentiments. As an amateur historian, I enjoy picking and choosing the wars *I* would have fought, and the political and geographic ramifications of the "what if" scenarios. Would the Cold War been with a Nazified Europe instead of the USSR if the US hadn't enacted the lend-lease act or dedicated manpower in WW2? What if the "Domino Theory" policies of the US hadn't gained favor, thus letting Vietnam communize after the departure of the French? Would Cuba be a dictatorship now if we hadn't fought Spain? But that's just fun fantasy.

I , like you, think that many of the post WW2 era military actions have been mostly pointless. Somalia? The former Yugoslavia? Grenada? Even if we had taken no action, the geopolitical shape of the world would be essentially the same as it is today. While I can't argue with the point that "humanitarian relief efforts" save civilian lives, in the context of world history and contemporary geopolitical makeup, they have been next to useless and unworthwhile.

However, from a rhetorical perspective (geopolitical clout, if you will) these ventures have had some residual benefit. If you are a fan of American West history, some of the most successful lawmen rarely had a gunfight. They knew who to crack over the head in order to get results, and subsequently this let those who would commit crimes know that the "sheriff" was not one to mess with. The same thing goes for the United States on the world stage.

I agree that it'd be a better use of our money NOT to engage in foreign wars. But whether we want that burden or not, it is ours to bear simply because we are a wealthy nation without a protectorate. For example, if the 9/11 attacks had happened on European NATO soil (for example Germany) or Japan, we would have likely gone to war because of it. We attacked Libya due to an assault on European civilians. The reverse is not true, as gaged by Europe's timid reaction to our efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

I can't help but to believe that we either have to protect our wealth or relinquish it. These minor wars (and I have a feeling that Iraq will be historically judged as a minor war only because it has WW2 to offer a contrast), in theory, create a rhetorical scenario in which a greater threat (one that could do our nation considerable harm) will be averted due to our displays of military muscle in foreign theaters. Germany thought we would be pushovers because they thought Americans were a bunch of partyboys who only had the ability to "drop refrigerators and razor blades" on them, as the anecdote goes. They didn't hesitiate to declare war on us, and our maritime shipping paid a heavy price to the wolfpacks.

So when we show a lack of resolve (Vietnam), fight a "clean" war from the air (Yugoslavia) or retreat Rwanda), we take a hit in the credibility department.

I am not one of those "my country right or wrong" kind of guys, and you and I could probably go around and around and agree more than we disagree. But I do see merit in what we are doing in Iraq, especially viewing the situation in the context that includes what happened leading up to it.

So while I lament our dying soldiers with most other Americans, I do realize that the outcome of this conflict will affect change for the world... and I believe that this change will be for the better.

APf

[eleni121]

Apparently you were asleep at the switch during the Cold war.

"...post WW II, historically un-American tendency of our politicians to rush our boys off to hell holes"

What an insult to our armed forces. Especially since no one forced anyone to go and fight. And a display of a narrow view of history. So to try and figure out your reasoning, pre WWII battles were not misguided? Or what?

[prairiebreeze]

More troops are needed.

Since congress sets troop levels, approves the defense budget, had a hand in the decimation of the military during the 90's and since McCain has been in congress for several years perhaps you'd like to take this up with McCain.

[hsmomx3]

Do any of you Arizonans see a pattern here?

AZ Gov. Butch Napolitano and John McCain frequently blurt out remarks and then say they were misunderstood or their comments were taken out of context.

Two peas in a pod.

I did not and will not vote for McCain, ever. Never did vote for Butch and I will never vote for her either.

[highlandbreeze]

I it sticks in McCain's craw(sp), well now, I'm all for it.

[iconoclast]

What an insult to our armed forces. Especially since no one forced anyone to go and fight.

Are you kiddin? What are you about 18 yrs old?

This is only the second "volunteer army" war we've fought and that includes that little Kuwait thing.

You'll NEVER find me saying a bad word about the poor bastards caught up in macho machinations of global "politics" fought by politicians in the comfort of arm chair direction.

[iconoclast]

BTW.

(re your home page) What the hell is NYS?

[Political Junkie Too]

What the hell is NYS?

My guess is New York State, as opposed to NYC (New York City).

-PJ

[iconoclast]

If the carrier speech is all you've got left in the way of anti-war rhetoric, it's time to find some new material.

I had the good sense not to bring up the carrier embarrassment.

I don't think I'm going to convince any paleocon who's got himself so twisted that he finds himself parroting Howard Dean's talking points.

I have ABSOLUTELY no idea what Howard Dean has to say on any topic, and couldn't care less.

And the fact remains, the worst that's come still isn't one-tenth as bad as any of the experts and crack analysts said it would be.

Where you born yesterday? According to the neocons, this was to be a cakewalk.

If you expected the President to deliver a "worst is yet to come" speech to his troops on a returning ship after a decisive battle, you're off your rocker.

Of course I wouldn't expect that ... he was clueless.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

I had the good sense not to bring up the carrier embarrassment.

It wasn't an embarrassment. It was a DNC manufactured campaign non-issue that you fell for hook, line and sinker. Congratulations.

And check the thread... you most definitely DID bring it up.

I have ABSOLUTELY no idea what Howard Dean has to say on any topic, and couldn't care less.

Is that because you don't pay attention, or are you just afraid of hearing your thoughts coming out of his mouth?

According to the neocons, this was to be a cakewalk.

Which neocon? Show me the quote.

Of course I wouldn't expect that ... he was clueless.

Clueless to what? The terror cells Zarqawi was establishing in Iraq before the war began? Funny, I thought I heard the President's SOS tell the entire world exactly what Zarqawi was planning to do months before any of it ever happened.

[pointsal]

John....chill out.

[TennTuxedo]

Has John McCain ever realized that most of us do not have confidence in John McCain? Thats a fact.