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2006-11-20 Home Front: Politix

Rumsfeld

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Posted by .com 2006-11-20 04:01|| || Front Page|| [5 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Thanks, .com.
If one just reads through a large volume of writing on Rumsfeld and sorts out the provable BS and fallacies, Feith's picture is pretty much what's left.

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2006-11-20 08:06|| 2006-11-20 08:06|| Front Page Top

#2 Rumsfeld had to resign, I suppose, because our bitter and noxious political debate of recent years has turned him into a symbol. His effectiveness was damaged. For many in Congress and the public, the Rumsfeld caricature dominated their view of the Iraq war and the administration's ability to prosecute it successfully. Even if nominee Robert Gates pursues essentially the same strategies, he may garner more public confidence.

Exactly what someone here (I believe TW) mentioned right after Rummy's resignation. He was the sacrificial lamb, but hopefully Gates will pursue the same changes/shake ups at DoD. And, he'll probably be loved (or at least, not portrayed as such a devil) for it. I'm not military, but it seems to me there's still some holdouts from the Vietnam school of thought left at DoD that need to be cleaned out. And, while I believe that technology will allow us to fight "more with less", I'd also caution we need to be careful about cutting the ranks too much, especially with N. Korea, China et. al. on potential hit lists of the future.

Posted by BA 2006-11-20 10:07|| 2006-11-20 10:07|| Front Page Top

#3 Technology is a tool. The troops are the real weapon. A classic example is Israel's recent conflict with the Hezb in Lebanon.

Posted by Throger Thains8048 2006-11-20 13:42|| 2006-11-20 13:42|| Front Page Top

#4 Rumsfeld demanded the military convert from large division-sized forces to smaller Brigade Combat Team (and air-deployable) teams. It's much easier to build up a force than to gear down. It's much easier to deploy smaller forces and rotate them than to deploy huge, cumbersome, and ineffective bureaucracy-rigid forces. Rumsfeld's way cut the number of general-officer slots, which is why he was castigated by the military elites. I hope Gates continues many of Rumsfeld's policies.

We have far too many bureaucrats in all levels of government. We need to cut the numbers by 40%-50%, maybe even 75%. Rumsfeld was well on his way to doing that, which is why there was a revolt. Nobody in government wants any cuts in government, because THEY might be next. Apparently, though, the only way to cut government is with the sword. We're not at that point yet, but we're moving in that direction. Somebody needs to notice.

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2006-11-20 17:50|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2006-11-20 17:50|| Front Page Top

#5 Actually, OP, you're right on the money. I work at a Federal Agency, and we've followed the teachers in their push for "smaller class sizes." They've already cut out first-line managers (although, they're still paid the same, just called "experts" instead of having management responsibilites). But, when they did that, all the sudden they noticed (horrors) the average manager oversaw something like 20 people. I guess there's some union rule that has to be 11 FTE/manager on average. So, they've just "created" new management positions (this was all under Clinton).

But, through natural attrition, the Federal Gov't is gonna be a LOT smaller soon. The Feds as a whole have something like 50% of their entire workforce eligible for retirement in the next 4-5 years (baby boomers). Of course, under the old CSRS system, that's a guaranteed pension for the rest of their lives. Us "newbies" are under a 401(k) type system, which is a separate bank, so we won't drain the system, like the CSRS folks, who'll retire drawing from the general fund. Could be interesting few years here soon.

Posted by BA 2006-11-20 20:50|| 2006-11-20 20:50|| Front Page Top

#6 Hilarious Rumsfeld Bit

Posted by tipper 2006-11-20 23:16|| 2006-11-20 23:16|| Front Page Top

#7 yep - Brit Hume even showed that. LOL

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-11-20 23:36|| 2006-11-20 23:36|| Front Page Top

03:00 Slereper Ulosing9249
23:45 Zenster
23:36 Frank G
23:33 Zenster
23:28 USN,Ret
23:27 Zenster
23:23 USN,Ret
23:16 tipper
23:03 Zhang Fei
23:03 KBK
22:51 Frank G
22:39 .com
22:33 RD
22:30 Frank G
22:30 Frank G
22:18 Chuck
22:16 Zenster
22:13 Seafarious
22:08 Dave D.
22:05 Frank G
22:04 FBI guy
22:02 Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
22:00 .com
21:58 Frank G