Freethought & Rationalism Archive

fanny666 · 03-30-2003, 11:46 AM

The more important bit of advice he ignored, given by the CIA and every 4-star General who'd ever served in the region:

"Don't invade Iraq."

CALDONIA · 03-30-2003, 01:01 PM

Isn't it wonderful to see Rumsfeld's exasperation and irritability when reporters' question are not the softballs he expects to field?

slept2long · 03-31-2003, 04:32 AM

All the talk about Rumsfeld doing or saying this about the plan is making my head spin. Franks was on NPR this morning taking full credit for the planning. Am I missing something? Did Rummy have a hand in the planning or not?

kwigibo · 03-31-2003, 05:07 AM

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...d_on_defense_6

The irony that is Rumsfeld

Quote:

It is not the first time that Rumsfeld, a former fighter pilot with a confident and sometimes-combative style, has faced criticism that he is too quick to dismiss the views of others, including the top generals who advise him.

He was quick Sunday to rebut such charges, insisting the Iraqi strategy had originated with war commander Gen. Tommy Franks and had been approved through the nation's military command, all the way up to President Bush

slept2long · 03-31-2003, 05:28 AM

Thanks Kwigibo. It's a little clearer to me now but not much. Still seems like there a bit of spin on the truth. I think Rummy was in on it but to what extent is the mystery.

Wildheart · 03-31-2003, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Evangelion
I know the image quality isn't brilliant, but... it's very difficult to scan a newspaper, and I'm not exactly a dab hand with PhotoShop, so I had a bit of trouble with the contrast.

Still, you get the idea.

Thanks for sharing, Evangelion.

beyelzu · 03-31-2003, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Optional
What REALLY pisses me off about this is that 'there is no operational pause'. It's obvious they need one. Consolidate gains made, secure the supply line, get reinfocements in country and in theatre, make sure the troops have enough food, water, ammo, and gas, etc and so on. Now this is purely speculation, but it looks like rummy may have nixed the pause because it made him look bad... In which case, **IF** that happens to be true, the man needs to be tried for treason, IMHO...

-me

I agree with this completely. Once in war, reality should dictate actions not political reality.

kwigibo · 03-31-2003, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by slept2long
Thanks Kwigibo. It's a little clearer to me now but not much. Still seems like there a bit of spin on the truth. I think Rummy was in on it but to what extent is the mystery.

That was just a general comment on rumsfeld. as for planning, i think he is spinning. Franks obviously planned the actual tactics of invasion. Rumsfeld was criticised for his alotting of military resources. Of course he doesn't want to answer that criticism, so he subtly changes the subject so he can deflect public criticism on to the military itself, or at least that's what it looks like he's trying to do.

Wildheart · 03-31-2003, 05:58 AM

Here's another good article from MSNBC.

Rumsfeld Faulted for Troop Dilution

Quote:

MORE THAN a dozen officers interviewed, including a senior officer in Iraq, said Rumsfeld took significant risks by leaving key units in the United States and Germany at the start of the war. That resulted in an invasion force that is too small, strung out, underprotected, undersupplied and awaiting tens of thousands of reinforcements who will not get there for weeks.

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03-30-2003, 11:46 AM	#11
fanny666 Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Boulder CO Posts: 177	The more important bit of advice he ignored, given by the CIA and every 4-star General who'd ever served in the region: "Don't invade Iraq."

03-30-2003, 01:01 PM	#12
CALDONIA Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sunnyvale,CA Posts: 371	Isn't it wonderful to see Rumsfeld's exasperation and irritability when reporters' question are not the softballs he expects to field?

03-31-2003, 04:32 AM	#13
slept2long Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 1,066	All the talk about Rumsfeld doing or saying this about the plan is making my head spin. Franks was on NPR this morning taking full credit for the planning. Am I missing something? Did Rummy have a hand in the planning or not?

03-31-2003, 05:28 AM	#15
slept2long Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 1,066	Thanks Kwigibo. It's a little clearer to me now but not much. Still seems like there a bit of spin on the truth. I think Rummy was in on it but to what extent is the mystery.

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