A General Revolt

Old soldiers and cowboys we are told,  fade away or ride into the sunset.  But politicians?  Especially those who have grabbed power late in life and are arrogant to boot? They cling to their positions like barnacles on a ship.  Recently, some retired soldiers - generals to be exact,  instead of fading away, have come out swinging against their ex-boss, Herr Rumsfeld.  All contend that the non-combatant Rummy has no idea what a war or a battlefield looks like and his plans for the Iraq war and occupation were flawed from the beginning and continue to be so today.  There are now six former US generals who have joined the chorus asking for Donald Rumsfeld to step down. (I wish they would also call for an end to this mindless war.)  Here is a sampling of what they have said, among other things:

• "We went to war with a flawed plan that didn't account for the hard work to build the peace after we took down the regime. We also served under a secretary of defense who didn't understand leadership, who was abusive, who was arrogant, who didn't build a strong team." - Retired Army Maj. Gen. John Batiste.
• "They only need the military advice when it satisfies their agenda. I think that's a mistake, and that's why I think he should resign." - Retired Army Maj. Gen. John Riggs.
• "My sincere view is that the commitment of our forces to this fight was done with a casualness and swagger that are the special province of those who have never had to execute these missions - or bury the results." - Retired Marine Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold.
• "We grow up in a culture where accountability, learning to accept responsibility, admitting mistakes and learning from them was critical to us. When we don't see that happening it worries us. Poor military judgment has been used throughout this mission." - Retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni, former chief of U.S. Central Command.
• "I really believe that we need a new secretary of defense because Secretary Rumsfeld carries way too much baggage with him. ... I think we need senior military leaders who understand the principles of war and apply them ruthlessly, and when the time comes, they need to call it like it is." - Retired Army Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack.
• "He has shown himself incompetent strategically, operationally and tactically, and is far more than anyone responsible for what has happened to our important mission in Iraq. ... Mr. Rumsfeld must step down." - Retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton.

Three of the above who are calling for Rumsfeld's resignation have commanded US troops in Iraq under his leadership.  In their unusually harsh choice of words, the generals have not only called their boss incompetent and clueless but also arrogant and abusive. Not a good thing to put on anyone's  epitaph.  But is there any sign that Rumsfeld will resign out of shame or that  Bush will fire him? No way. Whenever George W. Bush is criticized or questioned about his Iraq policy, he tells us that he listens "to the fighting men and women".  Well now that half a dozen experienced fighting men have loudly and clearly given their vote of no confidence to Rumsfeld, this is what Bush had to say today about his Secretary of Defense:

President Bush said Friday that embattled Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has his "full support and deepest appreciation."

"Earlier today I spoke with Don Rumsfeld about ongoing military operations in the Global War on Terror," Bush said in a written statement released by the White House. "I reiterated my strong support for his leadership during this historic and challenging time for our Nation."

Astounding as it may seem, it is not so hard to figure out. We have known or at least suspected who really pulls the strings behind our incompetent puppet president and Commander in Chief. There is no way Uncle Cheney will allow Boy George to fire his own ex-boss (Cheney served under Rumsfeld in the Nixon administration).  So no matter what the generals' warnings are, these two non warriors - greedy old men with sick hearts and minds will continue to tenaciously hold on to their ill begotten seats of power. In the meanwhile, young men and women will keep losing their lives, limbs and minds, doing their bidding in a useless and bloody attempt to shape the world according to the twisted philosophy of Rummy and Cheney. Support our troops?  Not this bunch!

Comments

[coturnix]

Thank you for putting this together. I was afraid I was going to have to do a search of my own...

[Jessica Wilson]

Great post, Ruchira.

[Craig]

Good post. I suspect more generals will be speaking up. Some bloggers are already pointing out that some generals spoke up some time ago (Wesley Clark for example).

I wonder if the reason some of these generals are speaking up is because of their concern about further adventurism?

[Ruchira Paul]

I guess there is something to what you say about "further adventurism". Perhaps the generals are striking preemptively against another reckless preemptive strike by this thoughtless, vindictive administration. But if Bush and Co. think that they can get away with a "safe and sure" nuclear strike instead of putting troops on the ground, I wouldn't put it past them to try that. Hopefully, in that case, the "active" generals will put their collective feet down.