Posted on 11/03/2005 5:38:33 PM PST by baystaterebel
It started Tuesday with ordering a tuna fish sandwich and ended more than an hour later with the guest/reporter telling the Secretary of Defense, I'm going to keep kicking your butt. And in-between? Let Joe Galloway tell you.
For at least two years, Knight Ridder military editor and columnist Joe Galloway has been one of the most persistent and harshest critics of Pentagon chief Donald Rumsfeld's handling of the Iraq war, and other military issues, from an informed position. Galloway is one of the celebrated war correspondents of our time, winner of a Bronze Star for valor during the Vietnam conflict, and co-author of the book We Were Soldiers Once and Young.
About six weeks ago, perhaps recognizing Galloway's credibility and the growing chorus of criticism from others, Rumsfeld's office invited the correspondent to what it called a private lunch at the Pentagon. No one told Galloway why, but he didn't have to guess. I knew they weren't planning to give me some kind of ribbon, Galloway told me today.
(Excerpt) Read more at editorandpublisher.com ...
More like a gnat biting a tiger in the ass then bragging as if he slaughtered the beast.
It sounds to me that Rumsfeld, as he should, appreciates Galloway's input:
Thought you might be interested.
I am looking forward to reading Galloway's personal account of this meeting versus this guy's second-hand account clearly written from a certain "point of view".
Wasn't Rumsfeld in the Air Force? I'm almost positive he was.
He put his ass on the lime in 1950s era jet fighters. A very dangeous job!
Galloway's reputation was well-earned when he got out of Washington and went to see things for himself. I'd hardly call relying on E-mails as 'research'. He's a long way from Ia Drang in more ways than one.
Oh goody. I get to post one of my favorite photos as a reply. :o)
Mr. Rumsfeld attended Princeton University on academic and NROTC scholarships (A.B., 1954) and served in the U.S. Navy (1954-57) as an aviator and flight instructor. In 1957, he transferred to the Ready Reserve and continued his Naval service in flying and administrative assignments as a drilling reservist until 1975. He transferred to the Standby Reserve when he became Secretary of Defense in 1975 and to the Retired Reserve with the rank of Captain in 1989.
You and the writer should be ashamed!
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JOE GALLOWAY:
http://www.lzxray.com
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"Galloway's reputation was well-earned when he got out of Washington and went to see things for himself. I'd hardly call relying on E-mails as 'research'. He's a long way from Ia Drang in more ways than one."
It's reading quite a lot into this second hand account of his statements to assert that he is relying on E-mails for his research. He does say that he gets confirmatory feedback from his e-mail traffic (and probably gets a lot of good leads for investigation that way too). I don't know what his travel schedule has been either. If someone here has some evidence in this regard one way or the other, it would be an interesting supplement to the story. As it is, what we have here are two unsupported hypotheses about J.G.'s reporting methodology.
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Photos of the Valley of Death that was the IA DRANG Valley of Novmeber 1965:
http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_collection.htm
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Good catch. What the hell is that of course?
Thanks for that link. It leads to this first-hand account:
http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/news/special_packages/galloway/13064333.htm
'Throughout the discussion the defense secretary took notes when he thought he heard a valid point or criticism. Others at the table winced.'
'They had visions of a fresh shower of the secretary's famous "snowflakes," memos demanding answers or action or both.'
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'On the way out the defense secretary said, in parting: "I want you to know that I love soldiers and I care about soldiers. All of us here do." '
'I replied that concern for the troops and their welfare and safety were my only purpose "and I intend to keep kicking your butt regularly to make sure you stay focused on that goal."'
'He grinned and said: "That's all right. I can take it." '
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Two other Veterans of the Battle of the IA DRANG Valley, which took place 40 years ago, exactly:
HAL G. MOORE: The Legacy and Lessons of an American Warrior
http://www.strategyzoneonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14752
RICK RESCORLA: Help honor 911 Lifesaving Hero
http://www.strategyzoneonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24361
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