Rumsfeld's Legacy
For Veterans Day, I drafted my take on Rumsfeld. I hope he gets to read it, because I think that sadly, he would have to agree with me. Enjoy Rumsfeld's Legacy!
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Where Sec. Rumsfeld fell short are numerous and significant. First was his participation and reliance on "think tanks" like PNAC with their "incestuous propaganda".
Between the myth propogated by the PNAC that we would be "Welcome with open arms!" and Sec. Rumsfeld's complete lack of strategic versus tactical thinking he was mistaken that beating the Iraqi army would equate to victory... or, "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" if you will.
The Generals who have studied and dedicated their lives in the art of war and the political ramifications of military actions were disregarded as dragging their feet, resisiting change, not thinking outside the box, risk averse... the list goes on.
Sec. Rumsfeld's agenda was to transform the military and this was, and is an honorable goal. It is criminal though when you fight a current war based on a future military paradigm.
I do not believe that history will be kind to Sec. Rumsfeld. There are enough books now detailing the clear messages from the military planners and the dismissal of Sec. Rumsfeld.
In the end, he was a mediocre advisor to a mediocre president. He never knew. What a shame to have these as representatives of the United States of America.
The title said it all.