Public criticism of Rumsfeld says it all (Boston Globe Editorial)

[kpete]

Public criticism of Rumsfeld says it all
By H.D.S. Greenway | April 18, 2006

But the provocation that brought these American generals to go public was intense. To my mind, none of the generals put it better than Lieutenant General Gregory Newbold when he told Time magazine that ''the commitment of our forces to this fight was done with a casualness and a swagger that are the special provinces of those who have never had to execute these missions -- or bury the results."

The contrast between George W. Bush's safe National Guard service during the Vietnam War to that of his father, Geore H.W. Bush, who risked his life in the Pacific War in an exceedingly dangerous torpedo plane, could not be more stark.

Arch-hawk Dick Cheney famously said he had other priorities than to serve his country in Vietnam. And the other furious hawks, whose messianic vision for a transformed Middle East so casually committed young Americans to war, had no grounding in what war really means.
...................
President Bush's loyalty to Rumsfeld may seem admirable, but it is politically foolish and dishonorable. After the spectacular failure of Iraq -- not to mention the horrors of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo -- it's time for the old Republican virtues of personal responsibility and accountability. The continued presence of Rumsfeld in the administration decreases the chances that Bush can keep public support for the war. For the American people have lost faith in Bush's judgment, and Rumsfeld is a prime example of the president's lack of judgment.
.............
In the Bush administration, even spectacular failure seems only to result in a Medal of Freedom.

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2006/04/18/public_criticism_of_rumsfeld_says_it_all/

[saltpoint]

1. Axis of Evil! Slam-Dunk! Smoke 'em out! Either with us or against us!

Bring it on! Fight 'em there so we don't have to fight 'em here!

Etc.

And then a handful of generals -- who strike me as genuine patriots -- speak publicy against demonstrable failure, the White House orchestrates a slamjob on their characters.

Worse presidency in history? Gets my vote.

[HereSince1628]

2. Who defends US against tyranny when the courts and legislature won't?

Could it be the military leadship? Persons sworn to defend not only the nation but to uphold the Constitution?

Seems to me that the GOP juggarnaut, christened "The Holy Trinity" in honor control of the Executive, Legislature and Federal Courts has run up against a shoal there in the miliary. I wonder just how far that sand bar runs...