RUMSFELD TO RESIGN

[ZORBA5150]

Press conference at 1pm.

I guess rather than deal with the all the Dems' criticism that will surely come now, he'd rather resign, then fight it out. He should've done this a couple of years ago

[voivod]

The Tide Is Turning

[Dennis]

So it begins....

[voivod]

Bush is under the gun during this press conference...

[chefcraig]

Bush is under the gun during this press conference...

One could only wish...

[smithjc]

It's about time. J/K!

Quite an interesting development tho. Thanks.

[Scotty]

Well damn.

[ZeoBandit]

it is about time. Iraq isn't any better off now then it was a year or so ago.

[smithjc]

He's taking the coward's way out tho. If he's so confident about the decisions he made he should have no problem in defending said decisions.

Coward.

[hatchetforce]

I think the resignation weakens our country depending who the successor is. We need someone who realizes the unconventional nature of the war in Afghanistan. In "The Hunt for Bin Laden" by Robin Moore, the initial success of US Special Forces to sway the mujhadeen and create a playground of death and destruction for the Taliban was an early success. It was eclipsed by the incorporation of our conventional troops, who are perceived as legions. As far as Iraq, we need someone who is well versed in urban warfare and not afraid to use tactical nukes.

I know it’s fictional, but I couldn’t agree more with Colonel Jessup’s diatribe:

“Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Whose gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.”



That is what I would like to see, hear, and be implemented by the new SecDef.

[ZeoBandit]

Some more info on the successor:

Rumsfeld quitting as defense secretary

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush announced Wednesday that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is stepping down from his post.

"The timing is right for new leadership at the Pentagon," Bush said at the White House Wednesday afternoon.

Rumsfeld has been heavily criticized for his policies in Iraq, and exit polls taken during Tuesday's midterm election showed strong voter dissatisfaction -- 57 percent -- with the Iraq war.

"I recognize that many Americans voted last night to register their displeasure with the lack of progress being made" in Iraq, Bush said. (Bush discusses Rumsfeld's resignation -- 1:27)

Bush said he has "a series of thoughtful conversations" with Rumsfeld about the defense secretary's resignation.

Former CIA chief Robert Gates,who headed that agency from 1991 until 1993, will be nominated to take over as defense secretary, Bush said Wednesday.

Gates is now president of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

Rumsfeld, 74, has served as defense secretary since January 20, 2001, the beginning of Bush's first term.

He also served as defense secretary under President Ford from 1975 to 1977.

"Don Rumsfeld has been a superb leader during a time of change," Bush said Wednesday. "Yet he also appreciates the value of bringing in a fresh perspective during a critical period in this war."

With the change, Bush pledged to stand by the people of Iraq.

"Do not be fearful," Bush said in reference to Iraqis. "As you take the difficult steps toward democracy and peace, America's going to stand with you. We know you want a better way of life, and now is the time to seize it."

Bush also expressed support for U.S. military personnel.

"Don't be doubtful. America will always support you," the president said. "Our nation is blessed to have men and women who volunteer to serve and are willing to risk their own lives for the safety of our fellow citizens."

Rumsfeld has been under increasing pressure as U.S. casualties mount in Iraq.

October was the fourth-deadliest month for U.S. troops since the 2003 invasion, with 105 Americans killed.

Earlier this year, eight retired generals, including former NATO commander Wesley Clark and the former head of U.S. Central Command Anthony Zinni, called on Rumsfeld to resign.

[Axxman300]

The new SecDef:



Bob Gates.

He was Director of Central Intelligence under Bush1, he's at Texas A&M now.
Plus he's sitting on Bush's bi-partisan "Fact-Finding" team, headed by James Baker, that's looking into what direction to go in Iraq. Most of you guys don't know about this, but this commission was set up essentually to give Bush a way out of Iraq. Essentually it's a chickenshit move, but if it get's us out of there in two years instead of 12 then I'm supporting it. Everyone at DoD knows that this commission will recommend that we get out of Iraq ASAP.

If Gates had been SecDef, we would have never gone into Iraq in the first place.

[smithjc]

"I recognize that many Americans voted last night to register their displeasure with the lack of progress being made" in Iraq, Bush said.

Well better late than never I guess.

If Gates had been SecDef, we would have never gone into Iraq in the first place.

I'm sure many military families are hoping for the fastest and safest way to get the soldiers back home where they belong.

[Axxman300]

Earlier this year, eight retired generals, including former NATO commander Wesley Clark and the former head of U.S. Central Command Anthony Zinni, called on Rumsfeld to resign.

Wes Clark is one of the biggest assholes ever to wear the uniform. Every NCO who served under him at NTC and Panama wanted to frag him. Plus, he almost got us into a shooting war with the Russians durring the Kosovo campain. I wouldn't trust Clark advise me on a door mat.

Anthony Zinni gave Usama bin Laden his first victory over the US in Somalia. It's more important for Zinni to look good than to make hard desicions or do the right thing.

CNN named them because they are in-air advisors to the network, which is why CNN sucks.

[ZeoBandit]

The new SecDef:



Bob Gates.

Read that too fast and you might think Bill gates is the new defense secretary!