A fourth general calls for Rumsfeld’s resignation.
By on Apr 12th, 2006 at 5:12 pm
A fourth general calls for Rumsfeld’s resignation.
Maj. Gen. John Batiste, who commanded the Germany-based 1st Infantry Division in Iraq: “I believe we need a fresh start in the Pentagon. We need a leader who understands teamwork, a leader who knows how to build teams, a leader that does it without intimidation.” Batiste joins Generals Newbold, Eaton, and Zinni.
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Unfortunately the only opinion that matters belongs to the monkey at the top.
April 12th, 2006 at 5:17 pmThese retired generals should have had the ballz to speak up when they were IN the military. Who give’s a rat’s patootie what they think? Are they selling books? Have a blog? Just wanna be listened to again? Hell, we all know what a screwup Rummy is. The only opinion that matters is Bush’s and he ain’t gonna change it.
April 12th, 2006 at 5:17 pmHey one more and we’ll have a fifth. Sorry the set up was too obvious to turn down .Also Newbold eaten zinni?
April 12th, 2006 at 5:18 pmSometimes I think the administration is guided by deliberately contrary responses – like a 5 year old. Tell them to do something, they’ll do the opposite, just out of spite and a desire to show that they don’t have to listen to anyone.
–
April 12th, 2006 at 5:19 pmhttp://griperblade.blogspot.com – grumblings from the heartland
Go on, Rummy! All the cool kids are doing it!
Even if Rummy resigns, GWB probably won’t accept it since he’s doing a heckuva job. He’ll go on the news doing that shrugging thing Rummy does, saying, Hey I tried, what can I do?
April 12th, 2006 at 5:29 pmRummy must go, yes.
April 12th, 2006 at 5:35 pmBut suppose he does go and America breathes a small sigh of relief, and we get someone who is as bad as Rummy, as stubborn and as deaf — will the public want to give him some latitiude before they criticize him as they criticize Rummy? It’s hard to believe someone could be worse than Rumsfeld, but I worry that a new Bush&Co face won’t be enough to change anything in a positive way, and may actually provide a little time for the cabal to move along even further.
You know Neo-cons are in trouble when:
They send out Charlie Black who has been very low key for a long while now. He is “Mr. Darkness, Inc.,” and I’ve seen him twice lately, including today!
April 12th, 2006 at 5:37 pmGet rid of Rummy, give the job to Delay
April 12th, 2006 at 5:43 pmIt wouldn’t matter if George Washington himself came from the grave and ordered GWB to fire Rummy. Rummy is a Bush loyalist and so he is rewarded for that. He’s not going anywhere.
http://www.lcoliberal.blogspot.com
Most Ridiculous Story of the Day: Now on LCL
http://www.sunstateactivist.org
April 12th, 2006 at 5:45 pmProgressive news, analysis, and event listing
We just need to figure out a way to flush this entire admin down the toilet.
April 12th, 2006 at 5:47 pmRummy is also a signator on the PNAC. and a major proponent of the Iraq war. Bush has already stated that it will be future presidents who decide the Iraq war. I don’t expect to see Rummy heading anywhere unless Bush and Cheney are both impeached. at least not until 2008.
April 12th, 2006 at 5:51 pmThese Generals are more ‘effective’ speaking up after retirement. If they spoke up while still ‘Active’, they would be fired. Yes they should have been ABLE to speak up while active,but the reality is not there with this bush gang. Rummy will give ‘non answers’ till he gets his money.
April 12th, 2006 at 5:52 pm[...] Think Progress – A fourth general calls for Rumsfeld’s resignation. [...]
April 12th, 2006 at 5:54 pmZookeeper – heck, Rummy could resign. King dumbya will give him the Medal of Honor or whatever.
Where were all these Generals back befor we invaded Iraq?
Why aren’t they calling for the resignation of Cheney? dumbya would be nice too, but I’m not THAT delusional.
April 12th, 2006 at 6:16 pmkindness, I don’t care if Georgie gives him a medal the size of Flava Flav’s clock, I just want Rummy (and the rest of the idiots) to go.
I’m with you, why weren’t these Generals speaking up before they retired? Wankers.
April 12th, 2006 at 6:24 pmThey never listened to these guys in the first place. Why do you think they are not working there anymore?
April 12th, 2006 at 6:25 pmSpeaking of retired generals, where did Norman Schwarzkopf go? He used to be an MSNBC analyst but I don’t think I’ve seen him for over a year. Is he ill? Or is he just sick of BushCo?
April 12th, 2006 at 6:40 pmRummy remains on board to be the designated future scapegoat for (a) post-term legacy protection, (b) the war crimes trial, (c) other miscelaneous ass coverage. Remember, as he likes to say he’s a delegator; “It’s whut leaders doo.” Thus implying that he doles out the responsibility for these various leadership tasks.
Bush has to be made aware that his administration can’t continue to run a reckless foreign policy and then blame Rummy; if he continues to keep Rummy on board in light of ever mounting failures, he is officially personally responsible for all policy decisions made.
April 12th, 2006 at 6:46 pmHey that “Flava Flav” quip is my joke!
April 12th, 2006 at 6:46 pmExcellent take by Fred Kaplan at Slate.com:
April 12th, 2006 at 6:48 pmhttp://www.slate.com/id/2139777/
I’m tired of hearing talking heads bloviate saying, “Ultimately it’s the President’s decision an no one else’s”
I thought all branches of govt are “Of the people”… or am I wrong on that?
April 12th, 2006 at 6:50 pm#21, “I thought all branches of govt are “Of the peopleâ€â€¦ or am I wrong on that?”
I think that only applies in a democracy.
April 12th, 2006 at 6:58 pm#21: I thought all branches of govt are “Of the peopleâ€â€¦ or am I wrong on that? – - Geeze, you make a better straight man than Bud Abbott.
April 12th, 2006 at 7:02 pmWhere are the Senators and Congressmen calling for Bush to resign? He is the Comander in Chief, so the responsibility for the failed war planning really falls on him.
April 12th, 2006 at 7:05 pmThe only reason the generals would like Rumsfeld to resign is because he is demonstrably incompetent. Of course, that’s par for the course with the entire Bush administration, starting first with Bush.
April 12th, 2006 at 7:29 pmBush aint going to fire Rumsfeld. Bush needs a warm place to rest his balls now that Colin Powell is gone.
-GSD
April 12th, 2006 at 7:33 pmRumsfeld is nuts. He is also a pariah along with all of the other people who insist upon calling themselves ‘Republicans.’
It can’t get any dumber than this. The horse is already out of the barn.
Let the US government continue with its reckless ‘course.’ It has become its own worst enemy.
April 12th, 2006 at 7:54 pm#26, nice one.
Rummy is the DoD’s Michael Brown.
April 12th, 2006 at 8:27 pmIf Bush fired Rummy, who would he have to ask all those tough defense-related questions students ask? Heh-heh. Gosh I hate that clown. Redstate voters, how do you possibly not see this coming?!?!
April 12th, 2006 at 8:30 pmDon’t these generals know they’re giving aid and comfort to our ENEMY?
—
April 12th, 2006 at 8:34 pmJoin the Struggle to Halt Islamic Terror (SHIT) today!
Heck, it’s been over 40 years, but in my memory, I swore allegiance to the office of the President of the United States in accordance with provisions passed by Congress. There was some prelude about upholding the Constitution, but most of the gaff was about loyalty to the Prez. Until they retire, these officers are restrained by their oaths of service.
April 12th, 2006 at 8:40 pm#31. You’re right. Of course, Bush has sworn to uphold the U.S. Constitution and has overtly ignored that oath.
April 12th, 2006 at 8:49 pmBush put his hand on the Bible and swore to protect the Constitution. He did not place his hand on the Constitution and sware to protect the Bible.
April 12th, 2006 at 9:31 pmRegarding # 33. If we were at another site like BooMan for example, I could give you a 4! You said volumes with a few words. Wonder if it would work on a Bumper sticker??
April 12th, 2006 at 9:50 pmWho on EARTH would want the job? They would have to be gonzo! My fear is that they would get Zell Miller, or Joe Lieberman. What a F*CKING NIGHTMARE!!!! It would be “blame it on the Democrats”, taken to a whole new level. Yes, the current situation is vile, but the thought of this man just walking away, only to land in some high-paying position somewhere, using his connections to further enrich himself, is just more than I can stand. All of the failures should be on his head, he’s earned it.
April 12th, 2006 at 9:53 pmIt would just be humanities luck for rummy to sink into a coma before he could be convicted of war crimes too. However, Henny Penny and I love the all hand gestures, I wonder if all the dead do.
April 12th, 2006 at 9:56 pmI could get #33 on a bumper sticker, but it would have to be in APL.
April 12th, 2006 at 10:09 pmThese retired generals should have had the ballz to speak up when they were IN the military
In public or in private? If they go public while they’re still in, they violate regs and it’s probably insubordination, too. That’s part of being in the military. The admninistration knows that and takes advantage of it at every opportunity. Occasionally, someone is able to publicly contradict the administration without being too blatant about it. They get early retirement and then get stabbed in the back. And those who speak up privately in meetings with Rummy get overruled anyway. These guys are going out on a limb as it is.
I keep seeing these comments from people talking about “ballz” who seem to think that hanging out in blogs and having tantrums is somehow evidence that they’ve got a pair.
April 12th, 2006 at 11:20 pmSadly, I don’t know that it matters much anymore. Short of a takeover of both houses of Congress in November, these bastards are going to continue to do whatever they want with impunity.
There’s no remorse. . .no “I’m sorry”s, no shame, no sorrow and no end in sight to what they’ll try to do.
I am beginning to see that this is less and less the furtherance of an agenda and more of a ploy to put themselves in a position to stay in power, meanwhile, raiding the treasury and exhausting our resources on the way through.
Does anybody else realize just how CRITICAL voting in November is?
April 12th, 2006 at 11:26 pmDoesn’t anyone remember Colonol Wilkerson? Or PNAC? Rumsfeld and Cheney are the cabal, they run the show. Rumsfeld resigning is akin to a King stepping down. It ain’t gonna happen!
April 12th, 2006 at 11:27 pmCheney and Rumsfeld have been brokeback partners since the Ford Administration, and there Dick was Don’s boy. This time who knows?
April 13th, 2006 at 12:02 amClif,
Longer than that. Donald Rumsfeld worked for Dick Cheney during Richard Nixon’s administration.
From Wikipedia:
April 13th, 2006 at 12:36 am
Heck, it’s been over 40 years, but in my memory, I swore allegiance to the office of the President of the United States in accordance with provisions passed by Congress. There was some prelude about upholding the Constitution, but most of the gaff was about loyalty to the Prez. Until they retire, these officers are restrained by their oaths of service.
Comment by WaltTheMan
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. That I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
April 13th, 2006 at 12:52 amOK, Gerald – memory gets a bit weak after 43 years, but I still recall a reference to Congress. Perhaps that came from my civics classes.
April 13th, 2006 at 1:30 amI get the impression over these years, that Bush does not know anyone with those qualities.
April 13th, 2006 at 1:36 amDoes anybody else get the sinking feeling that George W. Bush might be the last President of the United States of America.
April 13th, 2006 at 2:24 am#46,
April 13th, 2006 at 5:10 amSadly, yes.
He won’t be, he will be the second last. The guy after Bush will either be worse, or just seen as worse due to the massive mess he will have to clean up.
The guy after that will be named Dictator for Life by the unified Democrat-Republican congress and Senate after the two parties merge.
April 13th, 2006 at 6:25 amSomething ocurred to me that makes me realize how much worse Iraq is than Vietnam. John Kerry speaking for VVAW said “How can you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?” Now the question is, “How can you ask an American to be the last one to die for a lie?”
April 13th, 2006 at 7:29 amGuru,i’ve been saying that since 2000 …quote” It would be easier if this was a dicatorship and I was the dicator” We have past the first stage of Fasicm ,I believe we’re in the second stage now which is Military power.
Third stage is suppressing the Press .That will happen as the pent-dragon will cose down all communication including the internet ,land phone,cell phones … Mass Hysteria will follow and Bam Martial Law to protect the “people” from lawless disorder… bush declares himself presnuts for teh good of all people .. Off topic here sorry… Some of these Generals spoke out against bush many times. bush and co as we saw in Scottie boi yesterday snub anyone that opposes these Facists.
How’s the profiteering gas prices in your city ,think its going to Military use…… Its a Military Country hup one hup two hup three hup four march in place ducks all in a roll …….
April 13th, 2006 at 7:58 amThat is rather cowardly of them to turn against him in public.
R2K
April 13th, 2006 at 8:22 amI was struck by Batiste’s comment in the news article that “Iraqis, frankly, in my experience, do not understand democracy. Nor do they understand their responsibilities for a free society.”
Not exactly his sentiments in Jan. 2005 when he said the following during a DoD press briefing:
“Together with civic, tribal and religious leaders, the Iraqi security forces have achieved irreversible momentum towards prosperity and representative government. Based on the competencies of the Iraqi team, I am confident in the future of Iraq.”
and:
“The soldiers of the [Iraqi 4th] division not only reflect the rich ethnic/religious diversity of Iraq, but they [are] also imbued with the energy, courage and determination which the vast majority of the Iraqi people have for freedom and representative government.”
Now he tells us that he was basically bullshitting us the whole time.
April 13th, 2006 at 8:29 amLet me guess who knows better of war’s bussiness… Chickenhawks Bush and Cheney or 4 generals and 1 colonel of an intelligence section, two purple hearts and a degree in economics, and now a congressman. In pocker words, what is a better hand? A pair of kings or four aces plus a joker?
April 13th, 2006 at 8:36 amGood posts all….Thots, their entire scheme is to make all of us and the world march to their extreme, radical reich winged , basterdized Straussion regime. We will read what they demand, worship as we are told, believe what they say we must or be considered guilty and incarserated in their prisons. It is and will be mandatory to think and act as we are told or else. Welcome to the nut jobs world. Even now those who speak out are swift boated, investigated and made fools of by this regime…
If you all haven’t read Leo Strauss and the Politics of the American Empire by Anne Norton, get it, read it and more eyes will open…..These people are not conservatives, Republicans or christians as we know them . They are more like waring Nazis….Blessing, we need them….Impeach all.
April 13th, 2006 at 8:51 amThe Generals are speaking up? It won’t do him any good because the Privatized ‘Generals,’ will keep Rummy around for being such a good toadie.
April 13th, 2006 at 8:55 amThese people are not conservatives, Republicans or christians as we know them .
Indeed you are correct, they are like Shamanist Khazar Rus and are amoral, some are phallic worshippers. The Bible is only a Tool for them to use as a method of control over the people.
April 13th, 2006 at 9:04 amLIE-O-CONS are Pachengas.
This is not about Rumsfeld. This is about a clear signal to the White House that the military will not go along with any more of their hare brained schemes.
April 13th, 2006 at 9:54 amBushiva will NEVER fire Dumbsfeld…
…to do so would be an admission of FAILURE…
…even if there are a million other examples of THAT FAILURE…
April 13th, 2006 at 1:10 pmNow he tells us that he was basically bullshitting us the whole time.
Comment by Jeffer #52
Jebber,
…where have you been for the last five-and-a half years?
…ever hear of “THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION”?
April 13th, 2006 at 1:13 pm