Don Rumsfeld, Radical For Our Time

National Review | May 5, 2003 | Victor Davis Hanson

[yeetch!]

Terrific insight into the Rumsfeld agenda. We are fortunate to have him.

[cgk]

FNC a bit ago said Rummy's lead car in his convoy in Baghdad was shot at... I can't imagine this administration without him. Thank God the shooter was blind.

[cgk]

Funny how there is NO main story on this, only blurbs:

(snip...) He told the troops in an Iraqi Airways hangar at Baghdad International Airport, "You've liberated a people, you've deposed a cruel dictator and you have ended his threat to free nations.

Meanwhile, security officials said they believed that three gunshots were fired at the lead vehicle of Rumsfeld's convoy as the secretary was en route to a power plant on the Tigris River Wednesday. No one was hurt.

I'd say an attempt on Rummy's life merits more than a blurb in these articles about his tour.

[adam_az]

"I think the article is correct in general theme, although it gives Rumsfeld a bit too much credit. The military already had those skills and capabilities before he arrived on the scene. But he has the wit to direct and unleash them."

Brother, please.

Don't your recall Rumsefeld's early battles to reform the DoD?

Skills, perhaps. Capabilities? No way, the miltary was hamstrung by the Clintons. Pre-Rumsfeld, the military had the POTENTIAL. Rumsfeld's policies and political battles unleashed it's capabilities.

Today's US military is a case study in good management methodology, and the buck always stops at the top.

[3AngelaD]

RUMMY BUMP. This is a must-read.

[johnb838]

Sorry to disagree with all of you. But I no longer like Rumsfeld after he honored a basketball player, albeit a likeable one, who had been supporting liberal candidates.

Do you realize how whiny that sounds? I enjoy most the way Rummy has been spinning new terms into the lexicon such as New Europe, and Dead-Enders.

[MEG33]

Huh?

[jnarcus]

Well if you are one of the ones who doesn't like Rumsfeld, then you will be happy because by then Hillary will have been in office for at least a few years and she and the group of antimilitary antiAmerican nuts will have stripped the military of any abilities...If on the other hand you are a Rumsfeld fan ( as I am) then you will have more calluses on your knees asking for Divine protection

[adam_az]

You know, I'm starting to think that all Rumsfeld threads should be accompanied by pictures!

[MEG33]

Great article..Love Rummy!

[Mo1]

I'm starting to think that all Rumsfeld threads should be accompanied by pictures!

As you wish

[cynicom]

In a nutshell, what Rumsfeld has put behind us are three things,trench warfare, set piece battles and we no longer ride horses.

[PLOM...NOT!]

It is this weird alignment...

Sounds so truly American to me, it's all about individuality, which made this country so great. (Don't tell the liberals though, who want to herd everyone into a group).

[republicanwizard]

Don't like the bias against Stanton. A much better War Secretary than Cameron, and fully the equal of Rummy.

[Mo1]

PING!!

[dead]

the U.S. can in theory now act precipitously, yet on principle, to thwart totalitarians and terror states -- without a great deal of dependence on traditional bases, allied contingents, or the consent of the United Nations. The days of a static big target of American troops being blown up in Lebanon or Saudi Arabia without reprisals are over. Our enemies' fear may prompt political reform, or at least second thoughts on sponsoring terrorism -- which, in yet another Rumsfeld irony, will eventually make the use of military force less likely.

Bump. Great stuff.

[republicanwizard]

We've seen a transformation in several departments. Don't know what you mean about State.

[txzman]

I'm starting to think that all Rumsfeld threads should be accompanied by pictures!

Well, he ain't as pretty as Ann Coulter, but he sure is doing as much damage to the left in this country!

This articles is dead on as to the change that has happened in the American military under Bush and Rumsfeld.

[Kathleen]

I love Rummy bump.

[dark_lord]

Brother, please. Don't your recall Rumsefeld's early battles to reform the DoD? Skills, perhaps. Capabilities? No way, the miltary was hamstrung by the Clintons. Pre-Rumsfeld, the military had the POTENTIAL. Rumsfeld's policies and political battles unleashed it's capabilities.

Golly. He, with his mighty superpowers, did all that to the largest and most complicated organization on earth in a mere score of months. His powers are truly awesome! Fortunately for our poor, helpless military that he came along to save it and give it back the capabilities that the kryptonite like aura of Clintoonian evil had destroyed. The millions of formerly helpless military men and women bow down in awe. All hail Rumsfeld.