Rumsfeld in Iraq/Christmas on the line
I’m listening to SecDef Rumssfeld’s speech in Mosul. Looks like he’s talking with troops from 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Here’s a line stating his central theme: “The greatest leap for human history is for freedom, and we’re on the side of freedom.” Rumsfeld is stating the historical case for the war on terror– and it’s the strategic case as well. Free states have a track record of policing terror, not promoting it. (See this column where former Sen Bob Kerrey and I discuss Iraq in twenty years.)
Rumsfeld’s speech was emotiona and passionate.. Rumsfeld said the greatest thing he had done in his life was work with American troops. When I see a transcript I’ll link.
Rumsfeld has been serving Christmas dinner, wearing food service whites. Dinner consisted of steak and lobster.
The Wall St Journal writes about holidays in wartime– and it’s a great article. Greg Jaffe often has a hand in fine WSJ articles on the military.
Key grafs:
For soldiers and Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan, Dec. 25 will mostly be just another workday, full of patrols, guard duty, raids and the distribution of aid to the local population.
It won’t entirely be routine, however. Most soldiers, like their civilian counterparts working for the American Embassy and private contractors in Iraq, will call home over scratchy satellite-telephone connections. Others will catch glimpses of their loved ones via small webcams.
Read the notes from the troops.
I am glad the troops got some lobster and steak. I am sure Rummy means well, but I wish he did a better job supporting the troops earlier in the occupation. He made some serious mistakes that took a long time to fix. Let’s hope we have that behind us and the mission gets accomplished.
Comment by Crikey! — 12/24/2005 @ 10:41 am
It was very moving and speech. I appreciated it and it definitely was from the heart. As someone who has been overseas during the holidays I really appreciate his efforts to spend some time with the troops. God Bless them all. Ben Bauman Cdr, VFW post 9949 Peachtree City, GA
Comment by Ben Bauman (U.S.A., Ret.) — 12/24/2005 @ 11:30 am
I wonder how long it will be before we start hearing slanders about “plastic lobsters”? Whatcha think?
Comment by Steven Den Beste — 12/24/2005 @ 8:14 pm
Christmas in Iraq has been interesting to say the least. I drew 24 hour BOC duty, so I’m going to be up all day and all night. The fellow that was supposed to pull duty with me is stranded in Balad, so our commander, a Lieutenant Colonel, volunteered to pull the duty with me. Talk about Christmas spirit! The Iraqis have been wishing us Merry Christmas all day (notice I didn’t say Happy Holidays) and one even said “congratulations” on the birth of Jesus. These folks know the real reason for the season. I wanted to extend a word of thanks to the folks at KBR. They’ve gone out of their way to make Christmas special for us, from food to Christmas greetings at the gate. When I see KBR, I don’t see a multinational corporation. I see hard working folks trying to make our life easier under the most trying of circumstances. Merry Christmas everybody!
Comment by SSG C. R. Sisson III — 12/25/2005 @ 6:34 am
“He made some serious mistakes that took a long time to fix.” You are right of course, Crikey. This administration, unlike any before, makes mistakes. Fortunately, they fix them. Americans have becomed spoiled by the long line of mistake-free, instant success initiatives that the Bush performance is just intolerable. Lets hope they can eventually live up to your typically-high standards, or at least consult you before undertaking any new initiatives.
Comment by willis — 12/25/2005 @ 10:31 am
I just finished watching what I think is the very same address, or one very like it in a different location, on the Pentagon Channel broadband video(http://www.pentagonchannel.mil/ Pentagon Channel) Rummy is a really good speaker and delivers what you expect from great leaders. Whatever mistakes have been made, I can’t think of another person I would want more in that position at this time. Just go back a few hanging chads to C-in-C President Albert Gore,Jr. Who would have been his secdef, Ramsey Clarke or something?
Comment by brian — 12/25/2005 @ 4:03 pm
Working with the military here in Iraq has been a joy, and, sitting here in the Palace Powerhouse (late at night), it’s my pleasure to be sure they have the power to complete their mission every day. To be sure, their mission over here extends to levels and places we seldom hear about, but, the people (Iraqi’s) let us know that whatever they do, and, wherever, it’s working and they appreciate it. Merry Chrismas, y’all, and, Happy New Year from KBR…all of us.
Comment by Gordon DeSpain — 12/25/2005 @ 4:39 pm
To Crikey, when you talk about mistakes from Runsfield, I have to think of all the mistakes in the previous 8 yearsa by Mr. Clinton, remember first world trade center bombing, somalia, ruby ridge, cole, branch davidians, There was nothing done about any of them and it certainly emboldened Bin laden, etc. etc.
Comment by Joan Akromis — 12/25/2005 @ 9:58 pm
It’s sad watching someone kiss that foolish old man’s ass. Rumsfeld’s blithe dismissal of serious mistakes in the planning and provisioning of the Iraq operation will be his historical legacy, yet the judgment of history will not bring back those Americans and Iraqis who died as a result of his incompetence. He should be damned just for his stubborn refusal to expandthe size of the Army, which of course increased the deployment tempo and length of deployment for those already in the Army.
Comment by Observer12 — 12/27/2005 @ 12:29 pm
So, observer12, what’s your area of expertise? Besides unsupported criticism, I mean. I’ve read a little history, and I seem to remember early, very costly mistakes being made in, oh, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, WWI, WWII, the Korean War among others. And, of course, perhaps we would have been better off (or not even needed to have invaded) had whoever was in charge in the Clinton administration (ummmm, Clinton? Hillary? Bueller? anyone?) costly mistakes made that left Saddam in charge despite massive, repeated violations of UN resolutions and the Oil-for-Food program. Perhaps you could weigh on on what punishment would be appropriate for them?
Comment by JorgXMckie — 12/27/2005 @ 4:59 pm