UH60FtRucker From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 2082 times:
So yeah... there was another DoD townhall meeting the other day, and Sec Rumsfeld fielded a lot of good questions. I usually don't watch these things, simply because I can read the all of the good parts in the next day's issue of Army Times... but I happened to be watching Armed Forces Network and I caught this great moment.
I know a lot of A.netters have strong feelings regarding Sec Rumsfeld (I reserve comment because he's my boss) Hell, ANC worked a couple of years inside the 5 sided funny farm! He knows 1st hand all about the that goes on there.
But this townhall was different. He gave some honest answers to some tough questions - questions that didn't seem "prepped." Anyway, in this clip I want to share, is one moment when the Sec of Defense hit the nail directly on the head. "America is not what's wrong with the world."
Feelings about the man aside, he makes an intelligent analysis of the current situation and makes a number of excellent points. The better we understand this situation, the people we are fighting and what we're doing to combat them, the better we are able to make intelligent opinions.
The video is rather long, weighing in at nearly 8.5minutes, although towards the end are probably the best parts. Sec Rumsfeld - good job on this one
ANCFlyer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 2068 times:
Rumsfeld ain't MY boss any longer . . .
So . . . .that said:
He's without a doubt the worst SecDef in my adult lifetime - certainly the worst during my 24 years Active Military Service . . . I don't count that idiot Les Aspin because he wasn't around long enough to really fuck things up.
Rumsfeld is still trying to do everything on the cheap.
There is a serious grass roots effort to remove him from office - as well as the numerous politicians that think he ought to go.
He provides Smoke and Mirrors answers to questions.
Sooner he's gone the better. Leadership is not a dictatorship, and that's what Rummy has/wants/craves.
Great video UH60 . . . I have to agree with some of his points. Especially "America is not what's wrong with the World". Although you know you're about to get from every US-Hater/US Administration Hater on this board don't you . . . home your nomex is up for it.
Serously. Rumsfeld is a problem. I know some people will pop in here telling the tale of how he was charged with restructuring and resurrecting a failing DoD . . . all well and good . . . but I submit to you he has failed in that endeavor. He's had 6 years. Yup, complicated by a war or two and global terrorism to be sure. Where he has also failed.
Seems like all we need is strike three . . . doesn't that make an out?
Oh I fully expect to attract some of a.net's best and brightest.
But really - little of that clip had to do with his leadership, his mistakes and his successes. I was impressed how he articulated the message. I especially like the points about the old Cold War/Soviet style thinking compared to today. I also like the part where he mentions North and South Korea.
Some fine points.
And ANC, while I would have plenty to talk to you about when it comes to Sec Rumsfeld, we'll have to wait until '08 for that convo.
Our fedgov is certainly not the only thing wrong with the world, but too much power in the politicians' hands and the entrenched bureaucrats certainly are a part of what's wrong with the world.
VHVXB From Australia, joined Apr 2006, 5517 posts, RR: 20 Reply 6, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 1993 times:
Quoting UH60FtRucker (Reply 2): I was impressed how he articulated the message. I especially like the points about the old Cold War/Soviet style thinking compared to today. I also like the part where he mentions North and South Korea.
Same here especially when he made the comparison between North and South Korea.
DeltaGator From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 6341 posts, RR: 16 Reply 7, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 1897 times:
FDXMECH From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 3251 posts, RR: 38 Reply 8, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1858 times:
Bushpilot From South Africa, joined Jul 2007, 0 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 1770 times:
Firstly, I didnt bother to watch the video, life in the bush doesnt permit streaming online video just yet. Maybe in another 20 years or so. But that is besides the point.
Although I do agree that America is not what is wrong with the world, because America is a non-living entity, it is people that make America good or bad, but I certainly agree that there are worse places, governments, and people out there, we are by no means perfect. But this administration is leaving a bruise on the world that will be left long after they are out of office.
I have lined up to bash Rumsfeld myself many times, but ultimately Rumsfelds failings are Bush's fault. I firmly any good leader does the following two things, A. Admits thier mistakes, and B. works to correct those mistakes.
This whole business of stay the course, trust us victory is right around the corner is simply BS. Rumsfeld met with some family members of the 172nd Stryker Brigade based here in AK, they had been stationed in Mosul, and by all accounts have performed valiantly, there reward for this was an extended deployment to Baghdad, now I am fine with that, I am proud of the work they have done, they have had quite a few casualties, but point being, Rumsfeld was very smug with the family members, saying that he cannot see a single reason why the wives, mothers, and children of these soldiers would be upset with him. Wrong answer Rummy, even if you dont believe they have a good reason, they are upset with you, dont throw thier anger at you away. What a way to shatter morale, both for the families and especially the soldiers fighting. There is no accountability with this administration, I have lost faith in the leadership from the top down.
Quoting UH60FtRucker (Thread starter): The better we understand this situation, the people we are fighting and what we're doing to combat them, the better we are able to make intelligent opinions.
Is all I dare to say at this point
Boaz.
"If you believe breaking is possible, believe in fixing also"-Rebbe Nachman
Falcon84 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 1742 times:
Quoting Joni (Reply 4): Rumsfeld is confusing "America" with the current US administration.
Home run point, Joni. I think many of the biggest foreign detractors of the current Administration will agree with that assessment. Sure, there are a few who on here who genuinly hate the U.S., no matter who is President, but I believe most take umbrage with this Administration, not the U.S. as a whole.
I agree with that statement, by the way: this administration's policies are one of the big problems with the world, not the United States as a whole.
B777-700 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 1738 times:
Quoting UH60FtRucker (Thread starter): The better we understand this situation, the people we are fighting and what we're doing to combat them, the better we are able to make intelligent opinions.
That's really spot on. I don't think we really understood what we were getting into in Iraq, and well...we all know the result.
Quoting Joni (Reply 4): Rumsfeld is confusing "America" with the current US administration.
Exactly. Rumsfeld is associating America with this administration, like they associate Iraq with the war on terror. Neither have anything to do with the other.
America is most certainly not what's wrong with the world. However I believe this administration is what's wrong with America.
Searpqx From Netherlands, joined Jun 2000, 4343 posts, RR: 12 Reply 15, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 1699 times:
Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 1): Although you know you're about to get flamed from every US-Hater/US Administration Hater on this board don't you . . . home your nomex is up for it.
Not everyone ANC - many of us who have extreme issues with the current Administration recognize it as that, just the Administration. As much as I dislike Rumsfield, he did have some good points, and I can't argue with the ultimate point, we are NOT what's wrong with this country. And while I don't think Bush & Co. are helping any, I don't think they are the problem either.
Quoting UH60FtRucker (Thread starter): The better we understand this situation, the people we are fighting and what we're doing to combat them, the better we are able to make intelligent opinions.
Excellent summation. The only thing I would add is that we also must understand their motivations, and address those underlying issues as well.
"The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity"
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that goes on there.
from every US-Hater/US Administration Hater on this board don't you . . . home your nomex is up for it. 
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