Retired officers to criticize Rumsfeld

Reuters ^ | DAVID ESPO

[Steel Wolf]

You can get the troops to grouse about anyone, but when it comes down to serious conversation they like how Secretary Rumsfeld has had the brass hats dancing a jig. It's the entrenched Pentagon mindset they distrust.

If Secretary Rumsfeld's job was to make brass hats dance a jig, I'd give him an A+. His ability to make Pentagon desk jockeys howl like wounded wolves is legendary. Like I said, the man's style is very popular, as far as how he handles critics and reporters. His daily briefings back during the Afghanistan campaign was the best television around, and his confidence and candor are impressive and endearing.

But that's not his job.

[Eagle Eye]

As usual, very well said.

[CWOJackson]

Too bad about your injury and your bitterness...but that's your issue not mine or the military's.

[CWOJackson]

Pssssst...his job is very simple, he's the boss. That's the problem some of the flag officers and Pentagon bureaucrats had with him. Too bad.

[CWOJackson]

Good day. While I'd love to exchange innane comments with you two all day long, kind of like Secretary Rumsfeld....I have far better things to do.

[Eagle Eye]

Avoiding the questions, eh?

Where in Iraq did you talk to troops?

In your opinion were troop levels in 2003-2004 too little, too much, or just right, and why do you say that?

[Eagle Eye]

LOL...Cut and Run Jackson!

[Steel Wolf]

Pssssst...his job is very simple, he's the boss.

I don't know if this response warrants a Tony Danza joke, or a belated reminder that if you're going to talk down to people, have a ballpark idea of what you're talking about.

[91B]

Other than the words "Declaration of War," how is the authorization against Hussein different from other American declarations?

A declaration of war has legal consequences: for instance the government can implement a full mobilization of the reserves under a declaration of war, absent that they can only be mobilized for two years out of five (unless they individually voluntarily extend, at which point they make an extra $1000/a month).

I served from April 2003-April 2004 in theater, mostly in the rear (a couple of months outside Nasiriyah) and from December 2004-October 2005 at FOB Bernstein just outside Tuz Khurmatu-during that tour I never even went on leave. I mostly agree with Eagle Eye. Frankly, I think Rummy sees things mostly through his naval aviator goggles-he understands the Navy and the Air Force, but doesn't seem to understand how to use ground forces.

[mugs99]

You can't possibly think that comments such as these "retired" military men are not damaging in a time of war!

A man who says that no patriot should criticize the war until it is over...is saying no good son should warn his mother of a cliff until she has fallen.
.

[martywake]

I have spent a lot of time thinking about what guys like eagle eye, mugs and yourself have said and I think that you guys are probably right. It is a bitter pill to swallow, but that is because it is the truth.
My concerns are two-fold though.
One, the left will selectively edit the criticism. They will publicly echo the call for Rummsfield to resign, and then promptly ignore the retired generals call for more troops and a more aggressive philosophy.

Two, I have met some of these terrorists up close and personal. They are a cowardly lot, but the are very shrewd in the arena of public opinion. Thus, we are in a catch 22 situation. While public debate wounds good in our democratic society, it can prove deadly to the soldiers on the battle field. These insurgents ARE emboldened by this press, and use it to further their goals.

So my biggest concern is, "How do we handle this matter in a manner that will not increase the number of carbombs, IED's and assassinations that we will have to face over there?"

That's all.