An Army officer responds to Rumsfeld resignation

[sabra]

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=2344312&C=america

<snip>

Some service members, including a junior Army officer who recently returned from a year-long tour in Iraq, said the news came as a surprise — but a welcome one.

“Had the man listened to his generals we would either A, not have gone to Iraq in the first place, or B, not still be there because we would have committed 400,000 troops from the beginning,” said the officer. “Maybe I wouldn’t have had to go there twice and miss the birth of my first child. Maybe a lot of guys wouldn’t have been blown up. There is a high price for such arrogance.”

[Solly Mack]

1. I heard much the same today

I live on a military post.

Many were surprised....but OK with it.

[lebkuchen]

4. George W. Bush Countdown Calendars are sold out on my base

yours?

[Solly Mack]

7. LOL! really? Haven't even seen them

I need one though!!!!

We didn't even get the Army Times with the editorial calling for Rumsfeld to resign (as of yet)

Mostly positive reaction today - though many were suprised

Some bitter
Some concerned

[lebkuchen]

10. Friends got me one of the last ones on my base

If Bush ever visits, I'm going to try to get him to autograph it. I could probably get a lot for it on EBay~!

Not sure where you are, but on my deploying base, folks are too exhausted to even react. One soldier, who was supposed to deploy but then was held back, and then was to deploy, and then was held back and now is spinning wheels here doing nothing contacted Barak Obama, who got right on the case and helped him out. The soldier said Barak has his vote for sure, and he's also very happy about the congressional change up.

The 172nd Stryker Brigade has lost about seven soldiers when I looked yesterday. That's SINCE the extension. I feel so sorry for them.

Things are not going well in Ramadi, either, in addition to Baghdad.

[Solly Mack]

12. We've had a lot to come home in the last month

I'm about 15k from Heidelberg.....going toward Frankfurt :)

Not too far from the prison...

[lebkuchen]

2. I'm hearing that Laura was responsible for this "resignation."

Also Bolton.

Anybody else hear that?

[txindy]

8. That's the current spin.

It makes them appear less weak, they believe, than letting their base know that the Democrats had any influence on the decision.

Too late.

[lebkuchen]

9. I thought maybe Laura was trying to ditch the evidence

in case of Congressional investigations. I think Rummy was ditched as soon as they realized Allen would have to concede.

Once former prisoners start talking of being tortured, the investigations begin, and Rummy takes the heat while Bush says, "Hey, don't look at me! I got rid of him for that very reason!"

Am I off base?

[txindy]

11. Well, I don't know. They may believe that could work. It never would.

But they may believe that. Considering Junior's stubborn refusal to give up on Rummy right up until the day AFTER the election.... Well, no one will believe them. Nobody sane, anyway. Just their base.

Whatever Rummy knows or whatever others know about what he's done, Junior could still pardon him. That would leave him to take the heat instead, though. Junior isn't exactly known for taking responsibility for anything, however, and unfortunately for him, he can't pardon himself.

[ComerPerro]

3. exactly right

[Kerrytravelers]

5. Exactly. How many times have we heard the military say this?

And yet the * cabal just didn't seem to hear it- until last Tuesday. A little late for all the family and friends of the fallen American soldiers and the innocent Iraqi civilians.

[Red Right and BLUE]

6. Makes me so angry what they've done to our troops and their families. nt