They don't care what we think of Rumsfeld. They're just biding time.

[Atman]

Let's get real about Rumsfeld. First of all, we know Bush is purely a front man, doesn't actually have any power. He's the clown sent out to put on a show and distract us while the cabal works its evil ways. He's a buffoon.

But Rumsfeld, he knows what he's doing. He and Dick "Dick" Cheney wrote the book. He's right on script. And he's not going anywhere for one simple reason...they're not done over there yet. They have goals and targets, and Rumsfeld will be Secy of Defense until those targets are met. The goals involve completion of the giant embassy and the 14 military bases. They can't let anyone get involved in the project, because it is their business deal. One thing to keep in mind about these guys, it isn't really about war or politics. It's just the next big business deal.

As with the initial invasion, they knew full well things were likely to go poorly, but they couldn't admit that up front. It would scuttle the deal. As with any business deal, it is up to the INVESTORS to do due diligence before getting involved with the project. We are/were the investors, and Congress was/is supposed to be our representative on the deal. "I'm going to run America like a business" was more than a campaign slogan for Bush and Company. They meant it literally. If you've ever been involved in a large business deal (yes, I have), you'd know that what they are doing and how they are going about it is purely cut-throat business. First, get all your ducks in a row before you make a move (line up favorable media, surround yourself with all the right people), issue the favorable press releases, lie if you have to...It's only business. It is up to the other guy to do due diligence. If he doesn't, that isn't your problem.

Closing the deal (getting the men/equipment into Iraq) was all they needed to do, because they knew full well that once they were there, there would be no way to easily pull out or stop their little project. And now, all Rumsfeld is doing is playing the optimistic CEO, telling the shareholders not to worry, that the new factory opening, despite all the complaining from the Planning and Zoning Board, and the local Civic Association, is going forward as planned. That's all BushCo is doing now. Stalling for time, probably redirecting other resources to their construction projects to help guarantee completion ahead of the brewing shitstorm. But they'll wait it out. The factory will be built.

It's only business.

[niallmac]

1. The business model goes a long way in explaining

the weird way this admin works. Dubai Ports turned into such a fiasco simply because it was indeed just a business deal. Unfortunately for Bushco
they forgot that they spent last quarter training the town folk to fear Arabs period. The impression I got from the WH was "Hey folks, this is business, not
our phony ooga booga scare show! Come on, were trying to make money here!"

[LisaLynne]

3. That's the best description of that situation I've seen!

That's exactly it. They forgot that the majority of Americans aren't "in on the joke" for a sec and it blew up in their faces.

[C_U_L8R]

2. I think they do care.... and they are desperate.

The White House and the Pentagon are pulling out all the stops
to refute the Generals' criticism and to save Rumsfeld's ass.
They're on a PR blitz to convince anyone dim enough to
believe them that the war in Iraq is a smashing success
and was executed flawlessly. Paid flaks like Monica Crowley come
on OUR airwaves and breathlessly pant rummed-up praise glorifying
the genius and bravery of their "Rummy". Rush Limpballs goos
over his dear wrongway warlord as if he were Churchill or Eisenhauer.
It's enough to make you want to yack.

Fortunately NO amount of PR can ever bury the TRUTH. Ever.
This Bush regime continues to COMPULSIVELY lie to the country.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE ??? Have they EVER told the truth ????
The truth is this war was and is a TOTAL DISASTER... strategically and executionally.

Rummy should go... and his little Monkey should go with him... to The Hague.
Where they belong.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Your theory sounds reasonable and rational. However, here's the thing:

What if the 14 bases and the giant embassy AREN'T COMPLETED by November 2008? Doesn't that lend to a prediction of the * regime doing whatever it takes to continue their program? And as much as we debate who will be presidential frontman in 2008 (that is, if * doesn't declare martial law first), nobody has discussed how Rumsfeld could continue in the role of Secretary of Defense in another administration and/or Cheney running again as VP for the new handpicked republican candidate. This could continue rather indefinitely until Rumsfeld retires or dies.

[Atman]

5. I would betcha they'll be finished

Or so nearly complete that they may as well be finished. Think of how long they've had. Our troops are there to fight off the insurgents, not to protect/promote democracy, rather to protect the construction sites. They'll finish.

[acmejack]

6. They'll absolutely be complete.

Or, as Atman says, operationally and functionally ready. The 600 single occupancy rooms are for officer level personnel too which tells us that there will be a lot off people in that "Embassy".

[Atman]

7. Not ready to have this fall off the page yet!

:kick:

[schmuls]

8. I think you are so right on! Bush is a clown putting on a show.

And Rumsfield doesn't give a shit what the generals say, what the polls say, and the general opinion is on how the war was all fucked up, etc., etc., etc. He got this busines deal going, and even if he is kicked out, so what? You gave an excellent take on exactly what is going on over there. It's too bad this MoFo's business deal included the deaths of thousands!

[Atman]

9. Kickin' for the post Operation Save Rumsfeld's Ass press conf. crowd

:kick: