Judge Hathorne v. Rumsfeld
The Republicans are at odds over Donald Rumsfeld. Troops and military leaders have been complaining since the “Mission Accomplished” speech about this civilian mismanaging the war. Frustration mounted when Rumsfeld “insensitively remarked” to a National Guard troop when prodded about their vehicles lack of armor. It seems the Republicans would rather Rumsfeld answered with a less icy smoke screen than, “You go to war with the army you have, not the army you want.”
Maybe Defense Secretary Rumsfeld should have consoled the pitiable troop with a hug? Images of St. Rumsfeld bouncing Guardsmen on his knee while encouraging them with soothing words, “Don’t worry little Timmy, it’ll be OK, Uncle Rummy is here…” Give me a break! What’s Rumsfeld going to say? “I’m sorry, we screwed up. Our lack of post war planning and inadequate troop deployment really bit us in the ass…” Let’s not fool ourselves, anything pouring forth from the gates of deception falls with the same fraud as his notorious remark. It’s going to be a decisive side-step no matter its kindliness.
The old politicians’ game of illusory compassion is only going to work so long. The more death, deployment, and general length this war demands the more public discontent will raise. A lot of prominent Republicans are realizing this and thereby focusing their attention on swapping out the Pentagons big gun, Rumsfeld. Firstly, it’s a shame that this awareness didn’t happen a few years back. Secondly and more importantly, I don’t think I’m the only one to feel Rumsfeld’s radius ends at his desk. Evicting him from office isn’t a sure-fire remedy to Iraqi woes. If anything, it’s a band-aid to a host of problems between the Bush administration and its party.
Expect a lot of pride swallowing from the GOP this term. Obviously, I wouldn’t anticipate an all out revolt but a few well placed interventions throwing messages like, “We got you here Dubya” could be likely. With Bush living in his incestuous bubble some refer to as a cabinet, I wouldn’t be surprised if he attempts bravado and tension 10 fold from the intelligence bill debacle forms in Lincoln’s Party.
Ahh, but only time will tell…
(inspired by the NYTimes article, On a Deadly Day in Iraq, Republicans Step Up Debate Over Whether Rumsfeld Should Stay.)
I really don’t understand this new found Rumsfeld bashing either. All it shows is that if you start to speak bluntly and truthfully your politicial life is over. The media is treating everything he says as a a major news story or political blunder. It seems like someone wants him out and the media is playing along. I don’t see any real changes in how he handles himself now compared to how he did 4 years ago.
I’m scared of the motives behind this Rumsfeld bashing, who do the GOP want to replace him with?
The first time I heard of the Republican “backlash” against Rumsfeld and the handling of the War on Iraq I became angry, not because I felt that it was wrong, because it surely is not, but because John McCain and the others didn’t have the fortitude to do this prior to the election. They waited until the election was free and clear to state this. This is cowardly action at its most visible. Nothing that is occuring now is any different than what has been going on Iraq for quite some time. It is pure idiocy and fear that kept these “dissenters” from saying anything in the first place.