In an unprecedented move, all our military papers (Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times, and Marine Corps Times) are publishing an editorial calling for Sec. of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to be fired. (Click here to read Editorial ).
The papers are owned by Gannett – which means I have to drink a Corona in their honor tonight). These papers would not run this editorial unless they knew it reflected the views of the active-duty officers in the military establishment.
The editorial chasitises Rumsfeld for his policy of replacing U.S. troops with Iraqi forces:
For two years, American sergeants, captains and majors training the Iraqis have told their bosses that Iraqi troops have no sense of national identity, are only in it for the money, don’t show up for duty and cannot sustain themselves.”
It states the Rumsfeld has lost the confidence and trust of the troops.
These officers have been loyal public promoters of a war policy many privately feared would fail. They have kept their counsel private, adhering to more than two centuries of American tradition of subordination of the military to civilian authority.
And although that tradition, and the officers’ deep sense of honor, prevent them from saying this publicly, more and more of them believe it.
Rumsfeld has lost credibility with the uniformed leadership, with the troops, with Congress and with the public at large. His strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised. And although the blame for our failures in Iraq rests with the secretary, it will be the troops who bear its brunt.”
My only question is why hasn’t the News Journal published anything on this?