Rumsfeld: Afghanistan Has ‘Been A Big Success!’
Rumsfeld: Afghanistan Has ‘Been A Big Success!’
In a new interview with GQ, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld makes it clear that he’s not ready to discuss any of his “regrets.” “I mean you’d always wish things were perfect, but they never are,” he states. One area where he has no regrets is on the war in Afghanistan:
“Look at Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, 28 million people are free. They have their own president, they have their own parliament. Improved a lot on the streets.”
All your theories worked there, in other words.
“It’s been a big success!”
Perhaps in comparison to Iraq, Afghanistan has been a “big success.” But in reality, the country has been abandoned in the war on terrorism:
– Afghanistan’s embattled president, Hamid Karzai, recently said that security in his country had “definitely deteriorated.” A former national security official called it “a very diplomatic understatement.”
– At least 20 Afghans were killed in two suicide bombings today. Such attacks are on the rise, with the Taliban carrying out “103 suicide bombings in Afghanistan in the first eight months of 2007, a 69 percent increase over the same period last year.”
– For the second year in a row, “Afghanistan produced record levels of opium in 2007,” led by a “staggering 45 percent increase in the Taliban stronghold of Helmand Province.”
Despite taking credit for the toppling the Taliban, Rumsfeld had a role in Afghanistan’s deterioration. In Feb. 2002, then Secretary of State Colin Powell proposed that “American troops join the small international peacekeeping force patrolling Kabul and help Karzai extend his influence beyond the capital.” Yet Rumsfeld blocked his proposal. Rumsfeld only “reversed course and cajoled European allies into sending troops” when the situation was clearly spiraling out of control.
When asked by the GQ interviewer whether he misses President Bush, Rumsfeld gave a “wry Rummy smile” and replied, “Um, no.” But he said he still sees Cheney. He also claimed that he continues to receive “hundreds and hundreds” of letters “complimenting” him on his service to the country.
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September 10th, 2007 at 1:42 pmMy concern is with the sheep followers.
No wonder why Americans are portraited as stupid.
September 10th, 2007 at 1:42 pmhow dry i am…. hiccup!
September 10th, 2007 at 1:43 pmYay! We win! Yay!
September 10th, 2007 at 1:45 pmAmerica! Hellz yeah! Time to bring the troops home! w00000t!
September 10th, 2007 at 1:46 pmPraise the Lord and pass the Kool-Aid!!!
September 10th, 2007 at 1:47 pmThe record production of opium is the only measure by which Afghanistan can be viewed as successful.
September 10th, 2007 at 1:51 pm12/18/02:
KING: What’s the current situation in Afghanistan?
RUMSFELD: It is encouraging. They have elected a government through the Loya Jirga process. The Taliban are gone. The al Qaeda are gone.
“Taliban no longer is in existence.”
- George W. Bush, 2004
Mission re-under-accomplished!
September 10th, 2007 at 1:52 pmRumsfeld is correct Afghanistan has been a success. Problem is, it is slipping backwards.
September 10th, 2007 at 1:52 pm… therefore, Rumsfeld must be a cocaine addict.
September 10th, 2007 at 1:52 pmtotal nutcase
September 10th, 2007 at 1:52 pmAny other president lose two wars simultaneously?
September 10th, 2007 at 1:53 pmRummy may want to aboid travel to Germany where he has sanctioned rendition programs.
For Germany to perform a “rendition” on Rummy, hold him in a secret prison. And then at the German war crimes, present him with secret evidence (that he and his defense cannot review) and then have a ruling. Followed by sentence. According to all you contard parrot patriots, ANY nation can do this, since WE SAID that we CAN. So if that is true, then if it happened to Rumsfeld, you would say they are acting according to International law?
I know that you cons do NOT like the LAW when it is applied to YOU. Those pesky things are for everyone else right? Seems you opened a pretty smelly can of worms with the bush/cheney actions and rummy’s policies.
September 10th, 2007 at 1:56 pmExcept he’s not really President.
September 10th, 2007 at 1:56 pmSo the best way to make a war a “success” is to abandon it? So why aren’t we doing that with Iraq? Oh wait — Halliburton hasn’t made enough money yet, and we still haven’t gotten control of the oil.
September 10th, 2007 at 1:57 pmCaption Contest:
Rummy: “hallelujah brothers!”
September 10th, 2007 at 2:02 pmMore news about the security situation in that “success” that Afghanistan is, according to Rumsfeld:
Wadi came to Tangye, in Kajaki district, as a policeman. He was later tasked with firing up the kiln to feed his colleagues and the others whose lives are at risk outside the secured area: last month the Taliban shot dead two policemen when they ventured out to buy meat.
Rambo, the radio repairman, says he would only leave on a British helicopter.[…]
But the weak Afghan security forces only have a chance against them with the help of the international troops, he says.
Fighting for Afghanistan’s Kajaki Dam
Not even the prime minister is safe in Kabul:
Afghan President Hamid Karzai broke off from a speech and was escorted safely away from a ceremony at Kabul’s sports arena on Sunday after shots were fired outside the stadium, a defense ministry spokesman said.
Afghanistan’s Karzai escorted to safety after gunfire
This administration and its supporters certainly have a different definition for the word “success” to the one I have.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:05 pmwe are watching the democrat constituency being f*d in slow motion this day…
September 10th, 2007 at 2:05 pmYour Conscience; NOPE!!!
September 10th, 2007 at 2:05 pmAnd that’s how come Pakistan is the driving force of peace in the region ?
September 10th, 2007 at 2:06 pmHe also claimed that he continues to receive “hundreds and hundreds†of letters “complimenting†him on his service to the country.”
Mostly letters from Halliburton execs, FAUX NEWS contributors, Brookings Institute fellows and senior al queda operatives
September 10th, 2007 at 2:10 pmCaption Contest:
Rummy: “Afghanistan is going great! Street smack prices are lower than ever! Hooray!”
September 10th, 2007 at 2:10 pmYou don’t fool the public w/ the lies you wish you could tell, you fool them w/ the lies you can tell! - Von Rumsfeld
September 10th, 2007 at 2:10 pmI suppose the best way to turn a war into a smashing success is simply call it that, facts and evidence to the contrary be damned.
Then repeat ad nauseam, until it sticks.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:11 pmand senior al queda operatives
Comment by A Patriot Acting — September 10, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
You forgot “members of his own immediate family”, if any of them are still talking to him.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:11 pm“It’s been a big success!â€
You’re cot damn right, it has!!!!!!!!!!
September 10th, 2007 at 2:11 pmYou’re cot damn right, it has!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Master P — September 10, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
Praise be to Cot…
September 10th, 2007 at 2:12 pmhttp://news.yahoo.com/ s/ ap/ 20070910/ ap_on_re_us/ hagel_future
OMAHA, Neb. - Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, a thorn in his own party’s side when it comes to Iraq, announced Monday he would retire from the Senate and not seek any elected office in 2008.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:14 pmDEATH TO ISLAMostalinism!
September 10th, 2007 at 2:18 pmhttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/romney_burglary
BOSTON - The campaign headquarters of Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney was burglarized over the weekend and a television and computers stolen.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:22 pmDoes ‘The Donald’ still have a desk & staffers?
Is he still being paid by American taxpayers?
IMHO, he should be in ‘Gitmo, where he could experience his ’successes’ first hand.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:23 pmRumsfeld looks and sounds like he’s spent too many years competing in the Special Olympics. Give the man a helmet and a microphone: “We won! We’re special!” And it’s off to McDonald’s for burgers and fries. “YAY!”
September 10th, 2007 at 2:23 pmYou’re cot damn right, it has!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Master P — September 10, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
and
Rummy: “Afghanistan is going great! Street smack prices are lower than ever! Hooray!â€
Comment by TerrytheTurtle — September 10, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
Mr P’s behavior is now explained.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:24 pmUm, except for that Osama guy we were looking for in the first place…
September 10th, 2007 at 2:26 pmComment by Gregor Samsa — September 10, 2007 @ 2:05 pm
You realize, of course, that “success” just means “we moved the goal line to where we happen to be standing”.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:30 pm6 years ago today :
http://benfrank.net/ patriots/ news/ national/ pentagon_missing_trillions
September 10th, 2007 at 2:31 pmLike Bush and Cheney, Rumsfeld is free to tell the most outrageous lies because no one in the press will call bullshit on them. The sociopaths leading the blind…
September 10th, 2007 at 2:34 pmCaption:
“Heeeeeeee, Macarena!!!”
September 10th, 2007 at 2:36 pmComment by missmolly — September 10, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
Heh. That explains it all.
Afghanistan, the surge in Iraq, the reconstruction of New Orleans, and the hunt for Osama Bin Laden -they’re all big success stories.
It all makes sense now.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:39 pmWhen asked by the GQ interviewer whether he misses President Bush, Rumsfeld gave a “wry Rummy smile†and replied, “Um, no.â€
This may be the only thing I’ve ever agreed with Rummy on. Sure, Bush isn’t gone yet, but the anticipation is overwhelming.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:40 pmIts amazing how Republicans are so willing to propagandize their failures as successes.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:47 pmTurd Ferguson sez:
Well, this administration can’t really be faulted for failing to locate Osama…after all, judging from his video appearances, the guy changes appearance more often than Mystique, and his apparently miraculous recovery from terminal renal failure implies a healing factor equivalent to Wolverine’s.
It’s not surprising that the administration hasn’t been able to capture a high-level mutant like this…
</snark>
September 10th, 2007 at 2:49 pmPerhaps we need to adopt the Taliban method of reducing the heroin crop: murder anyone caught growing it.
Aaaaahhhhhh, I remember fondly the halcyon days of Taliban rule when the opium crop was kept at a minimum.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:54 pmYou realize, of course, that “success†just means “we moved the goal line to where we happen to be standingâ€.
A tactic which has recently been recognized as being bipartisan. The dems are busy grudgingly agreeing the military surge is working but that the political situation isnt acceptable. A few months ago we heard them say that the political arena cant move forward because the military front was stagnant.
Even Jason Elam couldnt hit that shifting target.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:59 pmHas there ever been an administration that so steadfastly asserts success in the face of absolute failure? Has there ever been an administration that takes so little responsibility for the fall out from its actions?
Neither the Afghans nor the Iraqis asked for US intervention. This is not to say that either country enjoyed the government in place before the US invaded. However, one must really question whether the people of Iraq believe that results of our occupation were worth it. Twenty per cent of the population displaced, health, services, unemployment, oil production, poverty and hunger are all in worse shape than prior to the invasion. The violence at highs and on a daily basis that must make daily life just as terrifying as when Sadam was in power. The Afghan people fare much better but face a declining situation and were never provided the aid and assistance as promised.
This seems to be the way of the Republicans. Their motto: WE WILL PLACE YOU IN A GRAVE POSITION. HOWEVER, ITS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET OUT OF IT.
September 10th, 2007 at 3:13 pmFrom a recent story here:
Rumsfeld has previously said he plans to open a
research foundation of his own to teach about
“U.S. engagement in world affairs.â€
Those who cannot do, teach.
September 10th, 2007 at 3:23 pmWe forget this now but there was a time during this administration when the American people actually believed what they said. There was a time when all they had to do was say something and it was printed as fact by credible new sources. That was a long time ago. They’re like a football team with only one play in their playbook.
It’s hard to know what’s more insulting: that fact that they keep lying or the idea that they think we might believe them.
September 10th, 2007 at 3:33 pmgod bless America! If Afghanistan is truly a success story, and success is measured by opium production, then we’ll soon be buying opium at Wal-Mart! Always Low Prices! This IS good news!!!
September 10th, 2007 at 3:34 pmRumhead is a Delusional asshat
September 10th, 2007 at 3:36 pm#30: No problems if a Republican’s computer is stolen. It’s hard to copy anything off the computers which a Republican politician uses because all the punch cards are likely to be kept in a separate room.
September 10th, 2007 at 3:50 pmRummy must like his opium.
September 10th, 2007 at 4:27 pmCaption Contest:
“The hills are alive…..”
September 10th, 2007 at 4:37 pmCaption Contest;
“Traa laa laa Boom Deee Ayy!”
September 10th, 2007 at 6:18 pmCaption Contest part Deux:
“The Golden Crescent in Afghanistan is a huge success as China owns American dollars and we own their workers drug addiction!!!”
September 10th, 2007 at 6:24 pmCaption Contest:
(I can’t claim this originally, but I like it)
“Muad’dib! Muad’dib!”
September 10th, 2007 at 10:50 pmRummy must be a Opium/heroin guy. Success?????
What a weird world he lives in!
September 11th, 2007 at 3:46 pm