"Weakness is Provocative"
It's a lesson that many of us learned on the playground, but one that outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld repeated yesterday in his farewell address. As Charles Krauthammer has pointed out HT: Real Clear Politics), Rumsfeld's legacy will be a positive one.
It's hard to dispute that victory in Iraq, more than anything, will define Rumsfeld's legacy -- as it will the President's. If it's achieved, all his other accomplishments will be properly appreciated. Without it, the mistakes -- typical of those made in any war -- will have a greater place in the assessment of Rumsfeld's tenure.
It's encouraging to read that the President has a plan for victory in Iraq, according to Fred Barnes. Reportedly, it will acknowledge the importance of strength -- and the imperative of establishing order before trying to forge a political settlement between warring factions in Iraq.
In any case, one thing is clear. Donald Rumsfeld is a great public servant, who deserves the thanks of a grateful nation.
It's hard to dispute that victory in Iraq, more than anything, will define Rumsfeld's legacy -- as it will the President's. If it's achieved, all his other accomplishments will be properly appreciated. Without it, the mistakes -- typical of those made in any war -- will have a greater place in the assessment of Rumsfeld's tenure.
It's encouraging to read that the President has a plan for victory in Iraq, according to Fred Barnes. Reportedly, it will acknowledge the importance of strength -- and the imperative of establishing order before trying to forge a political settlement between warring factions in Iraq.
In any case, one thing is clear. Donald Rumsfeld is a great public servant, who deserves the thanks of a grateful nation.
posted by LadybugUSA at 3:51 PM
3 Comments:
Another Republican named Stimson did a similar job. Mistakes were made and lessons learnt. People keep forgetting freedom is not free but costs lifes.
Rummy is totally incompetent and an absolute failure. His torture policies cost us an easy win and damaged our reputation throughout the world. If we were more civilized, we'd send him to Hague for crimes against humanity.
Unfortunately war is not a civilized activity. Fighting a civilized war is by far more costly in money and lives. The most effective way to wage war is to do it, fast and furiously.
As to torture - we didn't. We did make some people uncomfortable. We did not behead or publicly kill any one. While we fought an enemy that does not subscribe to the Geneva in any way, shape, manner or form, we treated the enemy fairly.
A question to the crowd. Have we EVER fought an enemy that followed the Geneva Convention?
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