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Rumsfeld: War Can Be Lost Only in U.S.
American Forces Press Service ^ | Dec 20, 2005 | Sgt. Sara Wood, USA

Posted on 12/20/2005 4:49:11 PM PST by SandRat

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2005 – American servicemembers are doing a superb job in Iraq, and the only place the war can be lost is in the United States, where people don't have a clear understanding of what's happening on the ground and can lose patience, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld said Dec. 19. "The work that they're doing overseas is so professional and so able, and we're so fortunate to have them there that I would have to say that the only place this could be lost is if we lost our will here in the United States," Rumsfeld said in an appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live."

The U.S. is winning the global war on terror, Rumsfeld said, citing as proof the progress made in Iraq and Afghanistan. The three elections that have taken place in Iraq in 2005 and the development of a constitution are historic events that show the bravery and determination of the Iraqi people and their significant progress toward democracy, he said.

"It has to be an enormous disappointment to the enemies," he said. "They have lost something very big, because the Iraqi people now have control of that country."

In Afghanistan, the parliament was seated this week and the country has a popularly elected president for the first time in 5,000 years, Rumsfeld said. In this same country that people were not too long ago calling a quagmire, the army is improving steadily and the United States will be able to significantly draw down its forces soon, he said.

"I'm absolutely convinced that the course we're on is the right course," he said. "We're not losing the war."

Every U.S. conflict has had opponents and has caused divisions within the country, Rumsfeld said, but if the government gave in every time someone expressed doubt, this country wouldn't exist as it does today.

"I just am hopeful that people will reflect on our history as a country and the nature of conflicts -- prior conflicts -- and develop an understanding about the difficulty of them," he said. "We have to constantly adjust our tactics to meet the changes that the enemy is imposing on themselves."

At this time of year, it is important to remember the troops overseas and the sacrifices they make to serve the country, Rumsfeld said.

"They volunteered and said, 'Send me,' and they're over across the globe serving our country with courage and perseverance and great dignity and professionalism," he said. "They are convinced that they're winning in Iraq. They are convinced that they are engaged in noble work that's important for the world and for our country and to protect the American people here at home."


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; US: District of Columbia; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: be; can; cowards; gnfa; gnfi; in; iraq; lost; only; onthehomefront; procoalition; rumsfeld; terror; us; war

1 posted on 12/20/2005 4:49:14 PM PST by SandRat
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To: 2LT Radix jr; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 80 Square Miles; A Ruckus of Dogs; acad1228; AirForceMom; ..

Tell it like it is SECDEF!


2 posted on 12/20/2005 4:49:42 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: SandRat
War Can Be Lost Only in U.S.

I love this guy.

3 posted on 12/20/2005 4:51:19 PM PST by smithone
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To: smithone
Reform Congress

Reform the MSM

That aughta do it.

4 posted on 12/20/2005 4:54:13 PM PST by evad
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To: SandRat
What a great post..Thanks Sandrat,

and thank you Sgt Sara Wood for your service to our country and for protecting my family.
God Bless every member of our military and their families for making the sacrifices.

5 posted on 12/20/2005 4:55:07 PM PST by concretebob (We should give anarchists what they want. Then we can kill them and not worry about jailtime.)
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To: SandRat

BUMP for the SECDEF


6 posted on 12/20/2005 4:55:48 PM PST by concretebob (We should give anarchists what they want. Then we can kill them and not worry about jailtime.)
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To: smithone
War Can Be Lost Only in U.S.

Well, that's what the libs in this country are praying to Satan for.

7 posted on 12/20/2005 4:56:07 PM PST by appleharvey
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To: SandRat

The Defeaticrats and their allies in the Media are doing everything they can to convince the people that we are losing the war.


8 posted on 12/20/2005 4:57:52 PM PST by Ninian Dryhope ("Bush lied, people dyed. Their fingers." The inestimable Mark Steyn)
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To: SandRat
"I just am hopeful that people will reflect on our history as a country and the nature of conflicts -- prior conflicts -- and develop an understanding about the difficulty of them," he said. "We have to constantly adjust our tactics to meet the changes that the enemy is imposing on themselves.

How much more succinct can you get?

9 posted on 12/20/2005 4:59:56 PM PST by TheHound (You would be paranoid too - if everyone was out to get you.)
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To: SandRat
Rummy is da bomb.

The 'rats want to turn victory into defeat just like they did in Vietnam. No new ideas: Even the lies are recycled. It ain't going to work. We won't let it.

10 posted on 12/20/2005 5:17:35 PM PST by Mad_as_heck (The MSM - America's (domestic) public enemy #1.)
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To: SandRat

As always....all wars are lost by the Democrats and their media traitors. Now the question: given Republicans have the power to prosecute liberals who betray national security, will they use it? The stupid party will not.


11 posted on 12/20/2005 6:09:28 PM PST by Galveston Grl (Getting angry and abandoning power to the Democrats is not a choice.)
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To: Galveston Grl

Funny thing is, that everything that has been said, is being said, about GW and the war has already been said before; about Abe Lincoln.


12 posted on 12/20/2005 6:11:31 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: SandRat

We are winning the war despite the Democrats and their allies in the main stream media.

These people should be ashamed of themselves....but we know they aren't.


13 posted on 12/20/2005 6:16:48 PM PST by TheLion
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To: SandRat

Anti-war folks tend to repeat themselves one century to the next. Their motives are what is in question. Do they oppose war because they are for the enemy? In the case of this war the answer is yes. Probably true in the Civil war, too. It was true of the Viet Nam war. Left wingers were consistent in their support for communism and still are. Never forget Elian.


14 posted on 12/20/2005 7:16:37 PM PST by Galveston Grl (Getting angry and abandoning power to the Democrats is not a choice.)
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To: Galveston Grl
Probably true in the Civil war, too In the summer of 1864, Lincoln was afraid that he would not win re-election. Grant was bogged down before Petersburg; the Democrats were nominating George McClellan. Lincoln knew that McClellan, if elected, would open negotiations with Davis and enter into a settlement that would leave the Union divided and slavery still in place, making all the sacrifice for naught. It took the capture of Atlanta to turn the situation around.
15 posted on 12/20/2005 8:47:46 PM PST by RobbyS ( CHIRHO)
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To: ducks1944; Ragtime Cowgirl; Alamo-Girl; TrueBeliever9; maestro; TEXOKIE; My back yard; djreece; ...
The U.S. is winning the global war on terror, Rumsfeld said, citing as proof the progress made in Iraq and Afghanistan. The three elections that have taken place in Iraq in 2005 and the development of a constitution are historic events that show the bravery and determination of the Iraqi people and their significant progress toward democracy, he said.

"It has to be an enormous disappointment to the enemies," he said. "They have lost something very big, because the Iraqi people now have control of that country."

16 posted on 12/20/2005 8:47:47 PM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: SandRat

BTTT


17 posted on 12/21/2005 3:02:18 AM PST by E.G.C.
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To: SandRat

Big Rumsfeld ~ Bump!


18 posted on 12/21/2005 8:16:33 AM PST by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: Calpernia

Thanks for the ping!


19 posted on 12/21/2005 2:41:23 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: TheLion

The Democrats think President Bush is the enemy, not the terrorists. Now they are criticizing Bush for defending Americans from terrorist attacks. The Democrats are allies of the terrorists. They give aid and comfort to the enemy.


20 posted on 12/21/2005 2:48:13 PM PST by pleikumud
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