Donald Rumsfeld reflects on writing of memoir

AP ^ | 1/24/11 | Donald Rumsfeld

[careyb]

WASHINGTON – If the memoir of Donald Rumsfeld, among the most powerful and controversial secretaries of defense, catches on with readers and critics, he could cite one of his many "Rumsfeld's Rules":

"The harder I work, the luckier I am."

When Rumsfeld began thinking about his book, "Known and Unknown," he imagined a more typical Washington release: a quick, impressionistic story based on whatever he recalled. Instead, he and a team of six aides worked four years on what became a 700-page narrative, with an additional 100-plus pages of end notes. Dozens of books were consulted and thousands of documents reviewed, from White House memos to letters Rumsfeld's parents wrote to each other during World War II. Rumsfeld's sister Joan and former Secretary of State George Shultz were among the friends, family members and colleagues who came to Washington for conversations.

[Rummyfan]

Well, a must-read for me!

[Carley]

I pre ordered that book on Amazon the moment I heard about it.

Bless this man for his decades of service to America.

[Sacajaweau]

Rummy was always the calm in the storm...

Cheney was the same way....

Leaders and Patriots!!

Bush was wise in his choices. MEN OF PROVEN EXPERIENCE !!!!

[McGavin999]

This guy was one of my favorites.

[Godebert]

"Rummy was always the calm in the storm... Cheney was the same way.... Leaders and Patriots!!"

Didn't Dick Cheney recently say that we should look at banning hi-cap magazines?

"Bush was wise in his choices. MEN OF PROVEN EXPERIENCE !!!!"

Didn't Bush say he would sign a bill banning so-called "assault weapons" (semi-auto) if it reached his desk?

[fred2008]

It always amazes me how some people, at much lower paygrades, try to second guess the people like DR. As if they have access to the same information? You put adults in charge of making leadership decisions for a reason. As someone in a leadership position I know that some of the decisions I make may not, and are not, popular. But that's why you need character to fight the urge to follow the crowd.

Bush put a pitbull (DR)* into the Pentagon to revamp the force structure. Then a war came. Some admirals and generals were not happy their cushy world being upset by DR. Tough s**t, boys. They were the same ones calling for his ouster.

Recall the furor of the Lame Stream Media about the up armored Humvee? DR saying you go with what you have. Uh, anyone recall the tanker's comments about Sherman's in WWII? Can anyone tell me a war begun with all the right stuff in place at the beginning?

Perspective will win out on this one — thirty or forty years from now. DR will be admired more than today — flaws and all.

* Personal knowledge: He's very nice outside of the Pentagon. Tough, but a good guy.

[1rudeboy]

Didn't Bush say he would sign a bill banning so-called "assault weapons" (semi-auto) if it reached his desk?

Didn't Bush's term end some time ago? I thought Obama is President.

[Rummyfan]

Thanks for that!

[Godebert]

"I thought Obama is President. "

Not according to Article II of the Constitution of the United States of America.

[exPBRrat]

A great man for sure.

[mosesdapoet]

Recall the furor of the Lame Stream Media about the up armored Humvee? DR saying you go with what you have. Uh, anyone recall the tanker’s comments about Sherman’s in WWII?

By tankers comments you must mean Gen George Patton testifying before congress who wanted “Sherman’s” a fast light medium assult tank armed with originally I believe a 57mm, and later 75’s prior to WWII ? Only to be destroyed in North Africa by the heavily armored panzers.